DQ

Post 5:

Physical, emotional, sexual, and neglect are all forms of abuse. Domestic abuse can include child abuse, intimate partner violence (IPV), or elder abuse. When suspecting child abuse, a nurse can assess for changes in behavior or school performance, a tendency to be withdrawn from social interactions. Physical symptoms can be unexplained bruises, fractures, or burns (Mayo Clinic, 2021). The nurse can interview the parents and child in these instances. Failure to give a reasonable explanation or mismatched stories could indicate abuse. 

Elder abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, or financial. Neglect and abandonment are also forms of abuse (National Institute on Aging, n.d.). Aside from bruises, fractures, etc. seen with physical abuse, signs of other forms of abuse include: loss of weight; sudden insomnia; unkempt appearance; becoming withdrawn of agitated; no longer participating in activities that used to bring joy; a lack of medical aids; and notices to pay, eviction notices, or insufficient care despite available financial resources (National Institute on Aging, n.d.). 

If a nurse expects domestic abuse or IPV, there are several tools that can be used. Common screening tools like HITS, WAST, partner violence screen, and the relationship chart are tools that either determine the frequency of events such as hitting, swearing, and feelings of being unsafe, while others allow for descriptions of events. Delays in seeking care, use of excuses such as “accident prone” for repetitive injuries, psych or behavioral problems are all signs that someone might be a victim of abuse. The partner may exhibit jealousy or possessiveness, hesitancy to leave the victim alone with healthcare workers, and insist on answering for the patient (Usta & Taleb, 2014). 

Healthcare workers are mandated reporters. At my facility any suspicion of abuse must be brought up to the supervisor or a member of management. If the employee doesn’t feel comfortable reporting to management, he or she can contact the Corporate Compliance Dept., the Compliance Alertline, or contact The Joint Commission directly via fax, phone, or email. All forms of reporting have protection against retaliation. 

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