C HAPTER 28: C HILD , O LDER A DULT , AND
I NTIMATE P ARTNER V IOLENCE
Varcarolis’ Foundations of Psychiatric -Mental Health Nursing: 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient tells the nurse, My husband lost his job. Hes abusive onl y when
he drinks too much. His famil y was like that when he was growing up. He
always apologizes and regrets hurting me. What risk factor was most
predictive for the husband to become abusive?
a. History of famil y violence
b. Loss of employment
c. Abuse of alcohol
d. Povert y
ANS: A
An abuse-prone individual is an individual who has experienced famil y
violence and was often abused as a child. This phenomenon is part of
the cycle of violenc e. The other options may be present but are not as
predictive.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: 521 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC:
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrit y
,2. An adult tells the nurse, My partner abuses me when I make mistakes, but
I always get an apology and a gift afterward. Ive considered leaving but
havent been able to bring m yself to actuall y do it. Which phase in the
cycle of violence prevents this adult from leaving?
a. Tension-building
b. Acute battering
c. Honeymoon
d. Stabilization
ANS: C
The honeymoon stage is characterized by kind, loving behaviors toward
the abused spouse when the perpetrator feels remorseful. The victim
believes the promises and drops plans to leave or seek legal help. The
tension-building stage is characterized by minor violence in the form
of abusive verbalization or pushing. The acute battering stage involves
the abuser beating the victim. The violence cycle does not include a
stabilization stage.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Underst and (Comprehension)
REF: 523 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC:
Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
3. After treatment for a detached retina, a survivor of intimate partner abuse
says, My partner only abuses me when I make mistakes. Ive cons idered
leaving, but I was brought up to believe you stay together, no matter what
happens. Which diagnosis should be the focus of the nurses initial
actions?
a. Risk for injury related to physical abuse from partner
b. Social isolation related to lack of a commu nit y support system
, c. Ineffective coping related to uneven distribution of power within a
relationship
d. Deficient knowledge related to resources for escape from an abusive
relationship
ANS: A
Risk for injury is the priorit y diagnosis because the partner has already
inflicted physical injury during violent episodes. The other diagnoses
are applicable, but the nurse must first address the patients safet y.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Anal yze (Anal ysis) REF: 526
TOP: Nursing Process: Diagnosis/Anal ysis MSC: Client
Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
4. A survivor of physical spousal abuse was treated in the emergency
department for a broken wrist. This patient said, Ive considered leaving,
but I made a vow and I must keep it no matter what happens. Which
outcome should be met before discharge? The patient will:
a. facilitate counseling for the abuser.
b. name two communit y resources for help.
c. demonstrate insight into the abusive relationship.
d. reexamine cultural beliefs about marital commitment.
ANS: B
The onl y outcome indicator clearl y attainable within this time is for
staff to provide the victim with information about communit y resources
that can be contacted. Development of insight into the abusive
relationship and reexamining cultural beliefs will require t ime.
I NTIMATE P ARTNER V IOLENCE
Varcarolis’ Foundations of Psychiatric -Mental Health Nursing: 8th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient tells the nurse, My husband lost his job. Hes abusive onl y when
he drinks too much. His famil y was like that when he was growing up. He
always apologizes and regrets hurting me. What risk factor was most
predictive for the husband to become abusive?
a. History of famil y violence
b. Loss of employment
c. Abuse of alcohol
d. Povert y
ANS: A
An abuse-prone individual is an individual who has experienced famil y
violence and was often abused as a child. This phenomenon is part of
the cycle of violenc e. The other options may be present but are not as
predictive.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: 521 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC:
Client Needs: Psychosocial Integrit y
,2. An adult tells the nurse, My partner abuses me when I make mistakes, but
I always get an apology and a gift afterward. Ive considered leaving but
havent been able to bring m yself to actuall y do it. Which phase in the
cycle of violence prevents this adult from leaving?
a. Tension-building
b. Acute battering
c. Honeymoon
d. Stabilization
ANS: C
The honeymoon stage is characterized by kind, loving behaviors toward
the abused spouse when the perpetrator feels remorseful. The victim
believes the promises and drops plans to leave or seek legal help. The
tension-building stage is characterized by minor violence in the form
of abusive verbalization or pushing. The acute battering stage involves
the abuser beating the victim. The violence cycle does not include a
stabilization stage.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Underst and (Comprehension)
REF: 523 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC:
Client Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
3. After treatment for a detached retina, a survivor of intimate partner abuse
says, My partner only abuses me when I make mistakes. Ive cons idered
leaving, but I was brought up to believe you stay together, no matter what
happens. Which diagnosis should be the focus of the nurses initial
actions?
a. Risk for injury related to physical abuse from partner
b. Social isolation related to lack of a commu nit y support system
, c. Ineffective coping related to uneven distribution of power within a
relationship
d. Deficient knowledge related to resources for escape from an abusive
relationship
ANS: A
Risk for injury is the priorit y diagnosis because the partner has already
inflicted physical injury during violent episodes. The other diagnoses
are applicable, but the nurse must first address the patients safet y.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Anal yze (Anal ysis) REF: 526
TOP: Nursing Process: Diagnosis/Anal ysis MSC: Client
Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
4. A survivor of physical spousal abuse was treated in the emergency
department for a broken wrist. This patient said, Ive considered leaving,
but I made a vow and I must keep it no matter what happens. Which
outcome should be met before discharge? The patient will:
a. facilitate counseling for the abuser.
b. name two communit y resources for help.
c. demonstrate insight into the abusive relationship.
d. reexamine cultural beliefs about marital commitment.
ANS: B
The onl y outcome indicator clearl y attainable within this time is for
staff to provide the victim with information about communit y resources
that can be contacted. Development of insight into the abusive
relationship and reexamining cultural beliefs will require t ime.
