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Abuse

Student’s Name

Institutional Affiliation

Course Number and Name

Instructor’s Name

Assignment Due Date

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Abuse

Characteristics of Abuse

As a significant socioeconomic issue in the United States, domestic violence (also known

as domestic abuse or intimate partner violence) is described as a pattern of conduct in any

relationship used to obtain or retain power and control over an intimate partner. One in four

women (compared to one in seven males) has suffered domestic abuse at some point in her life.

Abuse in a domestic relationship can take many forms, including but not limited to: physical

violence (such as hitting or kicking), sexual violence (such as rape or other forced sexual acts),

threats and intimidation that imply physical or sexual abuse, and emotional abuse (such as

damaging someone's self-esteem through words or controlling their behavior) (Department of

Social and Health Services, 2023). Patients with histories of domestic violence often describe

threats, verbal attacks, emotional distancing or isolation, physical harm and injuries, including

wounds in unusual areas, and financial exploitation of one partner, often the female.

Child abuse may take many forms, including those listed above, neglect, physical abuse,

sexual abuse, psychological maltreatment, and medical negligence (Department of Social and

Health Services, 2023). Inconsistencies in the parents' stories, delays in seeking help, injuries

that don't match up with the parents' account, wounds bound to the back surface of the body,

uncovered spots on the head, broken hair, and perineal wounds are the most apparent signs and

characteristics of child abuse in families.

Abused seniors frequently become distant, uncommunicative, and unresponsive; if the

abuse is physical, they may also have bruises, marks, or a history of numerous slips and

accidents (Department of Social and Health Services, 2023). While it's true that older adults are

more likely to sustain injuries from falls and accidents, nurses should be on the lookout for
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indicators of physical abuse, such as bilateral marking, finger marks, irregularly shaped wounds,

and wounds that heal at varying rates.

Procedure For Reporting Abuse

If my facility discovers or has reason to suspect domestic violence or elder abuse, we

immediately notify Adult Protective Services, who conduct an investigation and take over the

case. In cases of child abuse, my facility immediately contacts Child Protection Services with

details of the case. Suppose you are a nurse and believe that your patient is being abused,

neglected, or mistreated or that money or other property has been stolen. In that case, you have

the ethical obligation to report your suspicions promptly. Your manager or employer has a legal

obligation to promptly inform the DPH of any such report through verbal conversation,

electronic transmission of the report, or facsimile upon receipt (World Health Organization,

2020). If you report anything to DPH orally, you must provide a written report within 48 hours.

As soon as a nurse suspects child abuse, they must make verbal contact with the Department of

Children and Families (DCF) and then, within 48 hours, file a written complaint with DCF

documenting the alleged abuse or neglect. Whether confirmed or suspected, all cases of child

abuse or neglect must be reported promptly to the DCF Area Office Screening Unit serving the

child's home. Reports of elder abuse, including self-neglect cases, must be filed promptly to the

authorized Protective Services (PS) agency in each state. If a nurse suspects an old patient is

suffering or has died due to maltreatment, she must make an urgent oral report and file a written

report within 48 hours. As long as you are not responsible for the abuse you are reporting, you

are protected from any legal repercussions that may arise from reporting it.

How a Nurse Would Intervene in a Potential Violence or Abuse Situation

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Nurses, being at the forefront of patient care, have sometimes been the ones to report

instances of abuse and neglect. They must report any suspicions of abuse or neglect and undergo

extensive training to identify such indicators. If they don't, they might face repercussions from

their employer, the board of nursing, and perhaps the law. As soon as a nurse becomes

suspicious of abuse or neglect, they should notify a doctor, nurse practitioner, or PA. It's possible

that informing a superior is also necessary (Androus, 2022). The victim's suspected abuser

should not be present during the examination if they are in the same room as the victim. Nurses

are expected to create a soothing and reassuring atmosphere for their patients. A thorough, top-

to-bottom check for injuries and other outward manifestations of maltreatment is warranted. If at

all feasible, a witness or chaperone should also be present. Patient comments, nonverbal

behavior, and the behavior/statements of the alleged abuser should all be documented, along with

a detailed summary of exam results.

While the victim is still in the care area, the nurse should contact the authorities. Of

course, the answer to this question is context- and victim-specific. Those above the age of 18

who are mentally competent and able to make their own decisions may depart without having to

report. Nurses may be obligated to report suspicious injuries to the police regardless of whether

or not the patient wants to seek charges. The nurse must contact Adult Protective Services or

Child Protective Services, as appropriate, and then file a written report detailing the incident. It

might be necessary to seek more assistance from places like social services (depending on the

organization). It is not mandated by law, but nurses should offer to help victims of abuse get

professional therapy (Androus, 2022). It's common for abuse victims to become trapped in a

vicious cycle. By assisting victims with coping mechanisms, abuse may be stopped. Nurses

should be aware of mandatory reporting requirements in their jurisdiction. Although employers

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usually make their expectations for employees clear, nurses should be prepared to respond

appropriately if they encounter a victim of abuse during their employment.

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References

Androus, A. B. (2022). What Should a Nurse Do If They Suspect a Patient Is a Victim of Abuse?

Registered Nursing. https://www.registerednursing.org/articles/what-should-nurse-do-

suspect-patient-victim-abuse/

Department of Social and Health Services. (2023). Types and Signs of Abuse. DSHS.

https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/home-and-community-services/types-and-signs-abuse

World Health Organization. (2020). Addressing Violence Against Children, Women And Older

People During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Key Actions, 17 June 2020 (No. WHO/2019-

nCoV/Violence_actions/2020.1). World Health Organization.