VICTIMS OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
ACCURATE ANSWERS
◍ Which behavior best demonstrates aggression?
a. Stomping away from the nurses station, going to another room, and
grabbing a snack from another patient.
b. Bursting into tears, leaving the community meeting, and sitting on
a bed hugging a pillow and sobbing.
c. Telling the primary nurse, I felt angry when you said I could not
have a second helping at lunch.
d. Telling the medication nurse, I am not going to take that or any
other medication you try to give me. Answer: A ~ Aggression is harsh
physical or verbal action that reflects rage, hostility, and the potential
for physical or verbal destructiveness. Aggressive behavior violates
the rights of others. The incorrect options do not feature violation of
anothers rights.
◍ A kindergarten student is frequently violent toward other children.
A school nurse notices bruises and burns on the child's face and arms.
What other symptom should indicate to the nurse that the child may
have been physically abused?
1. The child shrinks at the approach of adults.
2. The child begs or steals food or money.
3. The child is frequently absent from school.
4. The child is delayed in physical and emotional development.
Answer: 1 ~ The nurse should determine that a child who shrinks at
,the approach of adults in addition to having bruises and burns may be
a victim of abuse. Maltreatment is considered, whether or not the
adult intended to harm the child.
◍ A woman presents with a history of physical and emotional abuse
in her intimate relationships. What should this information lead a
nurse to suspect?
1. The woman may be exhibiting a controlled response pattern.
2. The woman may have a history of childhood neglect.
3. The woman may be exhibiting codependent characteristics.
4. The woman may be a victim of incest. Answer: 4 ~ The nurse
should suspect that this client may be a victim of incest. Many women
who are battered have low self-esteem and have feelings of guilt,
anger, fear, and shame. Women in abusive relationships often grew up
in an abusive home.
◍ A nursing instructor is developing a lesson plan to teach about
domestic violence. Which information should be included?
1. Power and control are central to the dynamic of domestic violence.
2. Poor communication and social isolation are central to the dynamic
of domestic violence.
3. Erratic relationships and vulnerability are central to the dynamic of
domestic violence.
4. Emotional injury and learned helplessness are central to the
dynamic of domestic violence. Answer: 1 ~ The nursing instructor
should include the concept that power and control are central to the
dynamic of domestic violence. Battering is defined as a pattern of
coercive control founded on physical and/or sexual violence or threat
, of violence. The typical abuser is very possessive and perceives the
victim as a possession.
◍ A client is brought to an emergency department after being
violently raped. Which nursing action is appropriate?
1. Discourage the client from discussing the rape, because this may
lead to further emotional trauma.
2. Remain nonjudgmental while actively listening to the client's
description of the violent rape event.
3. Meet the client's self-care needs by assisting with showering and
perineal care.
4. Probe for further, detailed description of the rape event. Answer: 2
~ The most appropriate nursing action is to remain nonjudgmental and
actively listen to the clients description of the event. It is important to
also communicate to the victim that he/she is safe and that it is not
his/her fault. Nonjudgmental listening provides an avenue for
catharsis, which contributes to the healing process.
◍ A raped client answers a nurses questions in a monotone voice with
single words, appears calm, and exhibits a blunt affect. How should
the nurse interpret this clients responses?
1. The client may be lying about the incident.
2. The client may be experiencing a silent rape reaction.
3. The client may be demonstrating a controlled response pattern.
4. The client may be having a compounded rape reaction. Answer: 3 ~
This client is most likely demonstrating a controlled response pattern.
In the controlled response pattern, the client's feelings are masked or
hidden, and a calm, composed, or subdued affect is seen. In the
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
ACCURATE ANSWERS
◍ Which behavior best demonstrates aggression?
a. Stomping away from the nurses station, going to another room, and
grabbing a snack from another patient.
b. Bursting into tears, leaving the community meeting, and sitting on
a bed hugging a pillow and sobbing.
c. Telling the primary nurse, I felt angry when you said I could not
have a second helping at lunch.
d. Telling the medication nurse, I am not going to take that or any
other medication you try to give me. Answer: A ~ Aggression is harsh
physical or verbal action that reflects rage, hostility, and the potential
for physical or verbal destructiveness. Aggressive behavior violates
the rights of others. The incorrect options do not feature violation of
anothers rights.
◍ A kindergarten student is frequently violent toward other children.
A school nurse notices bruises and burns on the child's face and arms.
What other symptom should indicate to the nurse that the child may
have been physically abused?
1. The child shrinks at the approach of adults.
2. The child begs or steals food or money.
3. The child is frequently absent from school.
4. The child is delayed in physical and emotional development.
Answer: 1 ~ The nurse should determine that a child who shrinks at
,the approach of adults in addition to having bruises and burns may be
a victim of abuse. Maltreatment is considered, whether or not the
adult intended to harm the child.
◍ A woman presents with a history of physical and emotional abuse
in her intimate relationships. What should this information lead a
nurse to suspect?
1. The woman may be exhibiting a controlled response pattern.
2. The woman may have a history of childhood neglect.
3. The woman may be exhibiting codependent characteristics.
4. The woman may be a victim of incest. Answer: 4 ~ The nurse
should suspect that this client may be a victim of incest. Many women
who are battered have low self-esteem and have feelings of guilt,
anger, fear, and shame. Women in abusive relationships often grew up
in an abusive home.
◍ A nursing instructor is developing a lesson plan to teach about
domestic violence. Which information should be included?
1. Power and control are central to the dynamic of domestic violence.
2. Poor communication and social isolation are central to the dynamic
of domestic violence.
3. Erratic relationships and vulnerability are central to the dynamic of
domestic violence.
4. Emotional injury and learned helplessness are central to the
dynamic of domestic violence. Answer: 1 ~ The nursing instructor
should include the concept that power and control are central to the
dynamic of domestic violence. Battering is defined as a pattern of
coercive control founded on physical and/or sexual violence or threat
, of violence. The typical abuser is very possessive and perceives the
victim as a possession.
◍ A client is brought to an emergency department after being
violently raped. Which nursing action is appropriate?
1. Discourage the client from discussing the rape, because this may
lead to further emotional trauma.
2. Remain nonjudgmental while actively listening to the client's
description of the violent rape event.
3. Meet the client's self-care needs by assisting with showering and
perineal care.
4. Probe for further, detailed description of the rape event. Answer: 2
~ The most appropriate nursing action is to remain nonjudgmental and
actively listen to the clients description of the event. It is important to
also communicate to the victim that he/she is safe and that it is not
his/her fault. Nonjudgmental listening provides an avenue for
catharsis, which contributes to the healing process.
◍ A raped client answers a nurses questions in a monotone voice with
single words, appears calm, and exhibits a blunt affect. How should
the nurse interpret this clients responses?
1. The client may be lying about the incident.
2. The client may be experiencing a silent rape reaction.
3. The client may be demonstrating a controlled response pattern.
4. The client may be having a compounded rape reaction. Answer: 3 ~
This client is most likely demonstrating a controlled response pattern.
In the controlled response pattern, the client's feelings are masked or
hidden, and a calm, composed, or subdued affect is seen. In the
