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A nurse in an emergency department is performing an assessment on a client who reports being sexually assaulted. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Ask the client for permission to take photographs.

Provide community sexual assault support contacts.

Document the client's verbatim statements.

Determine any physical signs of injury.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Answer: c. Document the client's verbatim statements.

Here's why the other options are wrong:

a. Ask the client for permission to take photographs: While photographs may be collected as evidence later, it should not be the first priority. The priority is to focus on patient care and emotional well-being.
b. Provide community sexual assault support contacts: Offering support resources is important, but documenting the details of the assault is crucial for forensic and legal purposes, and should come first.
d. Determine any physical signs of injury: Looking for physical injuries is important, but documenting the client's account should come first. This ensures the client's narrative is captured accurately and can be referred to later.

Documenting the client's verbatim statements is the most important initial action because:

It preserves the client's account of the assault in their own words.
It allows for accurate reporting and investigation.
It can be used as evidence in legal proceedings.

Here are some supporting points:

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN): "Law enforcement will need to take a detailed statement about the assault, and a medical professional will likely perform a physical exam. Be prepared to answer questions about what happened." [1]
The National Sexual Assault Hotline: "Law enforcement will want to get a statement from you as soon as possible after the assault. Try to remember the details of the assault as clearly as you can." [2]

In conclusion, while all the other options are important aspects of caring for a sexual assault survivor, documenting the client's verbatim statements is the most critical initial action for a nurse to take in the emergency department setting.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Joining a bowling league 2 months ago indicates that the client is actively seeking social interactions and engaging in activities. While grief can manifest in various ways, joining a social activity does not necessarily indicate maladaptive grief. It's important for individuals to find ways to connect with others and continue living their lives after the loss of a loved one.

Choice B rationale:

Meeting his daughter for dinner every week demonstrates ongoing communication and emotional connection with family. This behavior suggests a healthy attempt at maintaining relationships and coping with the loss. Regular interactions with family members can be supportive during the grieving process.

Choice C rationale:

Keeping his partner's closet untouched since her death is a sign of maladaptive grief. This behavior suggests an inability to let go of personal belongings and move forward after a significant period of time. In healthy grieving, individuals usually work through their emotions and gradually start reorganizing their living spaces and personal items.

Choice D rationale:

Exercising at a local health facility 3 days each week indicates that the client is engaging in self-care and maintaining physical health. While exercise can be a coping mechanism, this behavior alone does not provide enough evidence to determine whether the client is experiencing maladaptive grief.

A. Brief Patient Health Questionnaire (Brief PHQ). B. Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS). C. Mental status examination (MSE). D. Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale (AIMS).

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

The Brief Patient Health naire (Brief PHQ) is primarily used for assessing the presence and severity of depressive symptoms and not specifically for cognitive disorders. It consists of nine items that assess the frequency of specific symptoms over the past two weeks.

Choice B rationale:

The Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) is a tool used to assess negative symptoms in schizophrenia and other related psychotic disorders. It includes items related to affective blunting, alogia, anhedonia, and avolition, which are not directly relevant to the assessment of cognitive disorders.

Choice C rationale:

The Mental Status Examination (MSE) is a comprehensive assessment of cognitive function, including orientation, memory, attention, language, and executive function. It provides valuable information about the client's cognitive abilities and can aid in diagnosing cognitive disorders such as dementia or delirium.

Choice D rationale:

The Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale (AIMS) is used to assess the presence and severity of tardive dyskinesia, a movement disorder commonly associated with the use of antipsychotic medications. It is not relevant to the assessment of cognitive disorders.

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A nurse in an emergency department is performing an assessment on a client who reports being sexually assaulted. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

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