Nurse Taylor is aware that the victims of domestic violence should be assessed for what important information?
A. Reasons they stay in the abusive relationship (for example, lack of financial autonomy and isolation).
B. Readiness to leave the perpetrator and knowledge of resources.
C. Use of drugs or alcohol.
D. History of previous victimization.
Correct Answer: B. Readiness to leave the perpetrator and knowledge of resources.
Victims of domestic violence must be assessed for their readiness to leave the perpetrator and their knowledge of the resources available to them. Nurses can then provide the victims with information and options to enable them to leave when they are ready. Training and support programs for clinicians and administrative staff have been shown to improve identification of women experiencing domestic violence and referral to advocacy services. Use of a domestic violence advocate in the ED resulted in a higher incidence of detection of incidents of acute violence than the data reported in the literature.
Option A: The reasons they stay in the relationship are complex and can be explored at a later time. Reportedly, at least 40% of domestic violence victims never contact the police. Of female victims of domestic violence homicide, 44% had visited an ED within 2 years of their murder.
Option C: The use of drugs or alcohol is irrelevant. Since substance abuse may develop or worsen as a result of domestic violence, it is appropriate to consider domestic violence when evaluating a patient for alcohol intoxication, drug toxicity, or drug overdose. A family history of alcohol and drug abuse or similar history in the patient’s partner is also an important risk factor.
Option D: There is no evidence to suggest that previous victimization results in a person’s seeking or causing abusive relationships. The frequency and severity of previous attacks indicate the degree of present danger. Threats are as important as any actual injury. The presence of weapons in the home is a risk factor. In addition to threats and physical abuse, relationships with high risk for injury or death commonly feature exaggerated forms of coercion and manipulation to maintain the partner’s dependence. This may result in the Stockholm syndrome.