Question

1. Identify three areas to assess when working with a person who has been sexually assaulted.
2. Formulate two long-term outcomes and two short-term goals for the nursing diagnosis of the posttrauma syndrome.

Answer 1

The initial assessment-

Rape trauma syndrome is the psychological trauma experience by experienced by a rape victim that include disruptions to normal physical,emotional,cognitive and interpersonal behavior.

Victims of sexual violence who have serious
or life-threatening injuries will need acute medical or surgical care, as
appropriate. Under these circumstances, the safety, health and well-being of
the patient always takes priority over all other considerations. It may not always
be possible to attend to the medical needs of patients with less severe injuries
immediately; if a wait is unavoidable, patients should not be left alone in a
waiting room, but should have someone with them to offer comfort and support
until their medical needs can be attended to.

Evaluate the extent of injury sustained during the assault: abrasions; bruises; lacerations; scratches; vaginal, oral, and rectal trauma; knife wounds; gunshot wounds; strangulation marks.

Examine emotional and behavioral responses.

Determine survivor’s willingness for a physical, genital, and/or pelvic examination.

Know the patient’s past coping mechanisms, including cultural, religious, and personal beliefs about assault.

Observe the response of family members and significant others toward the patient.

Listen for the language the patient uses to describe himself or herself and his or her feelings about the assault.

2 long term outcomes-

Patient experiences hopefulness and confidence in going ahead with life plans.

Patientdisplays resolution of anger, guilt, fear, depression, low self-esteem.   

2 short term goals-  

Patient acknowledges the right to disclose and discuss abusive situations.

Patient refers to self as a victim or survivor not as being responsible for rape.