A 26-year-old woman arrived unaccompanied to the emergency department of an academic medical center with cuts on her face, hands, legs, and pelvic area. She was crying and said that she had been attacked and was afraid to have an examination or to provide the name of her attacker. What is the first action that the nurse should take? Once you select the first action that you would take, explain your rationale and outline your exact actions.
A. Explain to her the importance of reporting this crime immediately.
B. Listen closely to her and reflect back to her the fear, anger, and other feelings you hear in her voice.
C. Immediately call law enforcement officials yourself.
Sample Solution
