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NCLEX · Crisis and Grief

A nurse suspects that a client may be a victim of domestic abuse. What is the most appropriate nursing action?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

Interview the client ALONE (without the suspected abuser present), in a private, nonjudgmental manner, and assess for safety

  1. A Interview the client ALONE (without the suspected abuser present), in a private, nonjudgmental manner, and assess for safety
  2. B Tell the client to leave the relationship immediately
  3. C Confront the suspected abuser directly
  4. D Ignore it unless the client brings it up

Why this is the answer

When abuse is suspected, the nurse should interview the client ALONE — separating them from the suspected abuser (who may control or speak for the victim) — in a PRIVATE, safe, NONJUDGMENTAL setting, and assess for safety. NCLEX psychosocial/abuse.

Key actions: ensure privacy and the abuser is not present; ask directly but supportively; LISTEN without judgment; assess immediate SAFETY and the danger level; document objectively (including the client's own words and visible injuries); provide RESOURCES (hotlines, shelters, safety planning) WITHOUT pressuring the client to leave (leaving is the client's decision and can be the most dangerous time); know mandatory reporting requirements (for children, elders, dependent adults). AVOID confronting the abuser (escalates danger) or pressuring/judging the client. Knowing to interview the suspected victim alone and nonjudgmentally is a heavily tested NCLEX concept.

Source: NCLEX Psychosocial — Suspected Abuse

Practice more questions

This question is from our NCLEX Practice Tests practice test. Take the full practice test to test your knowledge across all Crisis and Grief and other topics.

Take the RN: Psychosocial Integrity practice test →

About this topic: Crisis and Grief

Crisis and grief questions cover crisis theory and intervention, suicide risk assessment and precautions, violence de-escalation, and supporting clients and families through loss. This is one of 9 RN: Psychosocial Integrity questions on crisis and grief, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our NCLEX exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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