Saint Mary’s University

SCHOOL OF HEALTH and NATURAL SCIENCES

Nursing Department
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
Course No. NCM117 Lecture
Subject: Care of Client with Maladaptive Patterns of Behavior, Acute and Chronic
Year Level: BSN 3
Contact Hours/Credit Units: 4 hours/week (4units)

CHAPTER 12

ABUSE

l. Introduction

Abuse occurs when people mistreat or misuse other people, showing no concern for their integrity
or innate worth as individuals, and in a manner, that degrades their well-being. Using abusive
behaviors to manipulate their victims into submission or compliance with their will.

ll. Learning Objectives

1. Apply the moral and ethical-legal principles in dealing with the care of abused clients.
2. Obtain a comprehensive psychiatric history and conduct a thorough assessment of mental
status of abused clients.
3. Formulate a holistic nursing care plan for abused clients.
4. Execute a safe, appropriate mental health activity for abused clients.
4. Utilize effectively the therapeutic use of self in caring for abused clients.

lll. Core Content of the Chapter

TYPES of ABUSE:
1. Physical
Characteristic: pushing, hitting, throwing things
2. Psychological
Characteristic: verbal degrading and non-verbal actions
3. Sexual
Characteristic: abusive to wife, child, friend and stranger
4. Neglect
Characteristic: unmet needs like medical, physical and psychological

ABUSED PERSON
Can be the Wife – Husband – Children – Elderly

CHARACTERISTICS of ABUSER
1. Parent of soon to be born newborn:
> Denial of pregnancy
> Depression during pregnancy
> Lack of support from husband
> Giving birth to unwanted child
 > Undue concern about the child’s sex
2. Low self esteem
3. Used of alcohol/drugs
4. Projects anger
5. Anxious
6. Depressed
7. Came from abusive household
8. Socially isolating
9. Impulsive and immature
10. Guilt

CHARACTERISTICS OF ABUSED PERSON:

- Helpless
- Suicidal
- Submissive
- Frightened

PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS OF ABUSED PERSON:

1. Nightmares
2. Headaches
3. Anxiety
4. Suicidal thoughts
5. Substance abuse
6. Disruptive behavior
7. Teen runaways

CHILD ABUSE:
3. PHYSICAL NEGLECT:
TYPE OF CHILD ABUSE AND MANIFESTATION: a. poor hygiene & dress
1. Physical Abuse: b. inadequate weight gain
a. bruises with varying stage of healing, laceration and c. consistent hunger
bald patches on the scalp d. inconsistent school attendance
b. burns from cigar, scald or rope e. medical & physical problem unattended
c. unexplained fractures and dislocation f. fatigue
d. withdrawn or aggressive behaviour g. withdrawn
e. unusual fear of parent & desire to please parents h. substance abuse
f. incongruence between explanation and injury
4. EMOTIONAL NEGLECT:
2. SEXUAL ABUSE: a. low self esteem
a. pain & itchy genitals b. sleep disorder
b. difficulty walking and sitting c. behavioral extremes
c. bruised & bleeding genitals
d. stain on underwear NURSING INTERVENTION:
e. change in performance in school 1. Interview parent & child separately in privacy. Ask in detail about
f. pregnancy the symptoms.
g. venereal disease or sexually transmitted disease 2. Be nonjudgmental and do not give advice.
h. report of sexual assault 3. Inform parents of requirement to report suspected child abuse.
i. withdrawn or aggressive behaviour 4. Determine seriousness of battering call proper authorities.
J. unusual sexual behaviour 5. Provide referral for assistance and therapy.

PARTNER ABUSE:
Types:
1. Isolation = controlling what she does, who she sees & talks to, where she goes.
2. Intimidation = putting her in fear by using looks, actions, gestures, loud voice, smashing things.
3. Using male privilege = treating her like a servant, making all big decisions and acting like the master.
4. Threats = to hurt her or to commit suicide.
 5. Using children = making her feel guilty about the children, using the children to give message, harassment.
6. Sexual abuse = sexual act against her will, physically attacking the sexual parts of her body, sex object.
7. Economic abuse = taking her money, trying to keep her from getting a job or keeping a job.

IV. Activity:
Short Video Clip
Short Quiz
Long Quiz

V. Bibliography:
Videbeck, S. (2020). Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. Wolters
Keltner, N., Bostrom C., & McGuiness T. (2012). Psychiatric Nursing. Elsevier Inc.

Prepared by:

Mrs. Rosalie C. Carreon, RN, MSN

Nursing Department