The nurse plans a staff development conference about intimate partner violence (IPV). Which of the following statements, if made by a participant, would indicate a correct understanding of the conference?
The nurse plans a staff development conference about intimate partner violence (IPV). Which of the following statements, if made by a participant, would indicate a correct understanding of the conference?
A. "Nurses are responsible for screening select individuals for intimate partner violence."
[16%]
B. "The nurse should tell the client that information about IPV will not be shared with anyone else."
[16%]
C. "Men may be reluctant to report abuse because of a stigma of being abused by a woman."
[58%]
D. "Physical injuries from IPV are usually overtly seen on the face and the hands."
[10%]
Statistics
Subject/Lesson
Subject
Mental Health
Lesson
Mental Health
Client Need
Test Plan
Psychosocial Integrity
Related Topic
Abuse/Neglect
Item Type
Item Type
Analysis
Explanation
Choice C is correct. IPV against men is overwhelmingly underreported because of the stigma, masculinity expectations, shame, and certain laws that may favor women. Men oftentimes may sustain physical injuries to the genitals, verbal devaluation, and unprovoked physical attacks while sleeping. The nurse needs to keep an open mind regarding IPV because men may be the victim of the abuse and are not always the perpetrator.
Choice A is incorrect. Nurses are responsible for screening all individuals (not select). Almost half of the women murdered by an IPV event visited a hospital within the previous two years of their deaths. Further supporting the need for an assessment of all individuals. Nurses must reinforce that all information shared about violence will be kept confidential but will be reported as required by law.
Choice B is incorrect. Telling the client that the information will not be shared with anyone else is not entirely factual, as the nurse must report the event to authorities to share the pertinent details. The nurse should be complete when explaining to the client that their IPV concern will be kept confidential but could be shared with the treating physician and authorities.
Choice D is incorrect. Physical injuries from IPV are often concealed under articles of clothes (missing hair under a hat, bruises to the torso and genitals). The nurse should remember that injuries are likely to be concealed, and permission should be obtained before an examination to avoid startling the client.
Additional Info
✓ Intimate partner violence (IPV) could be a current or previous partner or spouse
✓ IPV occurs in heterosexual and same-sex relationships where intimacy may not be present
✓ Nurses should assess all clients for IPV
✓ IPV may be physical, psychological (emotional), sexual, financial, stalking, neglect, or abandonment
✓ Nurses should inform clients that information regarding IPV will be kept confidential and shared with the treating physician
✓ The nurse should also inform the client that most jurisdictions require reporting of IPV; the nurse should inform the client that any IPV will be reported
✓ Interactions between the victim and the perpetrator may demonstrate the victim seeking approval from the perpetrator, the perpetrator reluctant to leave the victim alone, or frequent interruptions during the assessment
✓ Cases of IPV reported by the nurse are kept anonymous, and that should not dissuade the nurse from reporting
✓ It is not enough for the nurse to report suspicions of abuse to the supervisor; that does not absolve the nurses' legal and ethical responsibility to report the IPV
