/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 283 An emergency department nurse is... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

An emergency department nurse is caring for an elderly client who is the victim of physical abuse. The nurse would sclect which as the priority nursing action? 1\. maintaining the "chain of evidence" for all physical findings 2\. ensuring the client is free from immediate danger 3\. notifying the authorities of the client's situation 4\. referring the abuser to appropriate treatment

Short Answer

Expert verified
Ensure the client is free from immediate danger (Option 2).

Step by step solution

01

Identify the Primary Objective

In situations like this, the primary objective is to ensure the safety and welfare of the client. The nurse needs to prioritize the action that will have the most immediate impact on the client's well-being.
02

Evaluate the Options

Each option presented addresses different aspects of care: 1) Maintaining evidence, 2) Ensuring the client's immediate safety, 3) Notifying authorities, and 4) Referring the abuser to treatment. It is important to consider which action aligns with the urgency of securing the client's safety in the immediate context.
03

Determine the Most Urgent Need

Out of the given options, ensuring the client is free from immediate danger is the most urgent need. Protecting the client from any further harm is crucial before taking any other steps.
04

Select the Optimal Action

The priority nursing action, given the emergency department setting, is to ensure the client is free from immediate danger. Once safety is secured, the nurse can proceed with the other actions like notifying authorities and maintaining evidence.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Patient Safety
In emergency nursing, ensuring patient safety is always the top priority. It involves making sure that the patient is protected from any potential harm while under the care of medical professionals. In the context of an emergency department, where the situation can be fast-paced and unpredictable, patient safety requires quick assessment and action.

Key elements of patient safety include:
  • Assessing the immediate physical environment for risks.
  • Addressing the needs of the patient to prevent further injury or harm.
  • Ensuring that all actions are in the best interest of the patient’s physical and emotional well-being.
For an abuse victim, like the elderly client in this scenario, ensuring their safety might involve removing them from a dangerous environment or situation first before taking subsequent steps.
Elderly Care
Elderly care within an emergency department requires special attention. As people age, they often face various health complications that need careful management. The elderly population may also be more vulnerable to issues like physical abuse due to their decreased physical strength and potential cognitive impairments.

Important considerations in elderly care include:
  • Evaluating their physical health comprehensively, understanding that symptoms may present differently in older adults.
  • Communicating clearly and compassionately, acknowledging any sensory impairments or cognitive limitations the patient might have.
  • Providing an environment that respects dignity and autonomy while ensuring safety.
In dealing with abuse cases involving elderly individuals, it’s crucial to handle them with sensitivity and care, ensuring they feel supported and heard.
Nursing Priorities
Nursing priorities in situations involving abuse and emergency care revolve around immediate and effective interventions. Nurses must quickly prioritize tasks to ensure optimal care outcomes.

The primary nursing priority often focuses on:
  • Removing the patient from immediate danger to prevent further harm.
  • Stabilizing the patient’s physical and emotional state.
  • Communicating with the healthcare team to coordinate care efficiently.
Once immediate threats are mitigated, nurses can proceed to secondary priorities like documenting evidence and notifying the appropriate authorities. This prioritization ensures that the most critical needs are met promptly.
Abuse Victim Care
Caring for abuse victims in an emergency setting involves both physical and psychological support. Nurses must approach these cases with a compassionate and non-judgmental attitude.

Essential aspects of caring for abuse victims include:
  • Providing a safe and private space to talk freely about their situation.
  • Listening actively and validating their feelings and experiences.
  • Documenting physical findings carefully and maintaining the chain of evidence for legal purposes.
It's also important for nurses to be aware of the resources available for abuse victims, including counseling and legal services, to guide them to the appropriate support channels after initial care.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

There are three phases in the Cycle of Violence described in The Battered Woman by Dr. Lenore Walker. In which phase is the batterer contrite and loving? 1\. honeymoon 2\. tension building 3\. battering 4\. plateau

A client who has reported being the victim of domestic violence decides not to seek shelter at this time. The nurse advises the client to have a bag packed and to rapidly leave the situation if feeling endangered. Which items are considered essential for the client to take when escaping? 1\. herself and the children 2\. marriage license and birth certificates 3\. blank checks 4\. records of income

A woman asks, "How much alcohol can I safely drink while pregnant?' The nurse's best response would be: 1\. "No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy." 2\. "Consuming one or two beers or glasses of wine a day is considered safe for a healthy pregnant woman." 3\. "Drinking three or more drinks on any given occasion, binging, is the only harmful type of drinking during pregnancy." 4\. "You can have a drink to help you relax and get to sleep at night."

A client is experiencing toxic psychosis from phencyclidine (PCP) use. An appropriate intervention would be: 1\. continually have someone talk to the client in a calm reassuring voice. 2\. instruct the client to close his eyes to decrease environmental stimuli. 3\. to explain all procedures prior to performance. 4\. provide therapeutic touch to reassure the client.

A young child experiences the death of an older sibling. Which of the following behaviors indicates the need for mental health referral? 1\. sleep disturbances beyond six months 2\. initial weight loss and eating disturbance 3\. crying 4\. preoccupation with memories, sayings of the deceased, and redecoration of the bedroom with photos, drawings, and other reminders of the deceased

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Biology Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.