Which questions should nurses be prepared to ask when screening for abuse?

Which questions should nurses be prepared to ask when screening for abuse?

• A. Do you feel safe at home?
• B. Has someone threatened or hurt you?
• C. Have you been touched sexually without your consent?
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Screening for abuse relies on asking direct, compassionate questions about different aspects of safety and violence. Each area captures a distinct form of abuse that can affect a patient’s health and well-being: safety at home addresses whether the patient lives in a threatening or controlling environment; asking about someone threatening or hurting them targets ongoing physical or psychological harm; and inquiring about sexual contact without consent screens for sexual abuse. Together, these questions provide a comprehensive picture and help identify danger even if there are no visible injuries or if the patient hasn’t volunteered information. In practice, ask in a private, nonjudgmental setting and use clear, straightforward language so the patient feels safe to disclose. If abuse is disclosed, respond with support, assess immediate safety, and connect the patient with appropriate resources and any required reporting.

Screening for abuse relies on asking direct, compassionate questions about different aspects of safety and violence. Each area captures a distinct form of abuse that can affect a patient’s health and well-being: safety at home addresses whether the patient lives in a threatening or controlling environment; asking about someone threatening or hurting them targets ongoing physical or psychological harm; and inquiring about sexual contact without consent screens for sexual abuse. Together, these questions provide a comprehensive picture and help identify danger even if there are no visible injuries or if the patient hasn’t volunteered information.

In practice, ask in a private, nonjudgmental setting and use clear, straightforward language so the patient feels safe to disclose. If abuse is disclosed, respond with support, assess immediate safety, and connect the patient with appropriate resources and any required reporting.