Nursing considerations for Intimate Partner Violence include:

• A. Encourage the victim to return to the abuser immediately
• B. Stay with the client to provide security
• C. Promote discussing the incident with the abuser
• D. Attend to physical wounds; possibly photograph injuries

Answer: (D)

Injuries and safety come first. The most important nursing action in intimate partner violence care is to address the survivor’s physical wounds and to document them accurately. Providing appropriate wound care, controlling pain, and offering necessary medical interventions protect the patient’s immediate health. Photographing injuries can be a vital part of forensic documentation, done only with the patient’s consent and following policy for evidence collection, to support safety planning and potential legal actions. This approach directly supports the survivor’s health and legal protection, giving them objective records of what occurred and when.

Choices that focus on returning to the abuser or encouraging discussion with the abuser don’t prioritize safety or health and can place the survivor at greater risk. While staying with the client to provide emotional support or safety can be helpful in some circumstances, the primary action in this context is to treat injuries and preserve evidence, which lays the groundwork for protective measures and informed decision-making.