Question

Veronica presents at the emergency room with multiple bruises, a black eye, and a broken leg, which her husband states were the result of falling on a patch of ice. He requests to stay with her, and the nurse notices that Veronica appears fearful. Which of these is the best approach to conducting assessment?

1) Tell the husband how much you appreciate his support and engage him in the assessment process.
2) Instruct the husband that hospital policy dictates that certain aspects of physical assessment be done in private, and interview the client alone.
3) Ask Veronica if she would like her husband to be present throughout the interview.
4) Confront the husband about the suspiciousness of Veronica's injuries.

Answer 1

The best approach is to interview the client alone based on hospital policy and to ensure the safety and well-being of the patient.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best approach to conducting an assessment in this situation would be option 2) Instruct the husband that hospital policy dictates that certain aspects of physical assessment be done in private, and interview the client alone.

It is important to ensure the safety and well-being of the patient, especially if there are signs of potential abuse or violence. By interviewing the client alone, the nurse can create a safe environment for the patient to openly discuss any concerns or fears.

Additionally, if there are any suspicions of abuse, it is important to document the injuries and report them to the appropriate authorities.