C HAPTER 29: S EXUAL A SSAULT
Halter: Varcarolis’ Foundations of Psychiatric -Mental Health Nursing: A
Clinical Approach, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A rape victim visited a rape crisis counselo r weekl y for 8 weeks. At the
end of this counseling period, which comment by the victim best
demonstrates that reorganization was successful, and the victim is now in
recovery?
a. “I have a rash on m y buttocks. It itches all the time.”
b. “Now I know what I did that triggered the attack on me.”
c. “I’m sleeping better although I still have an occasional nightmare.”
d. “I have lost 8 pounds since the attack, but I needed to lose some
weight.”
ANS: C
Rape-trauma syndrome is a variant of posttraumatic stress disorder.
The absence of signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder
suggest that the long -term reorganization phase was successfully
completed. The victim’s sleep has stabilized; occasional nightmares
occur, even in reorganization. The distracters suggest so matic
s ymptoms, appetite disturbances, and self -blame, all of which are
indicators that the process is ongoing.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Anal yze (Anal ysis) TOP:
Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial
Integrit y
,2. A nurse interviews a 17 -year-old male victim of sexual assault. The victim
is reluctant to talk about the experience. Which comment should the nurse
offer to this victim?
a. “Male victims of sexual assault are usually better equipped than
women to deal with the emotional p ain that occurs.”
b. “Male victims of sexual assault often experience physical injuries
and are assaulted by more than one person.”
c. “Do you have any male friends who have also been victims of
sexual assault?”
d. “Why do you think you became a victim of sexual as sault?”
ANS: B
Few rape survivors seek help, even with serious injury; so, it is
important for the nurse to help the victim discuss the experience. The
correct response therapeuticall y gives information to this victim. A
male rape victim is more likel y t o experience physical trauma and to
have been victimized by several assailants. Males experience the same
devastation, physical injury, and emotional consequences as females.
Although they may cover their responses, they too benefit from care
and treatment . “Why” questions represent probing, which is a
nontherapeutic communication technique. The victim may or may not
have friends who have had this experience, but it is important to talk
about his feelings rather than theirs.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Appl y (Application)
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Client
Needs: Psychosocial Integrit y
, 3. A nurse works at rape telephone hotline. What should be the focus of
communication with potential victims?
a. explaining immediate steps victims should take .
b. providing callers with a sympathetic listener.
c. obtaining information for law enforcement.
d. arranging counseling.
ANS: A
The telephone counselor establishes where the victim is and what has
happened and provides the necessary information to enable the vi ctim
to decide what steps to take immediatel y. Counseling is not the focus
until immediate problems are resolved. The victim remains anonymous.
The other distracters are inappropriate or incorrect because counselors
are trained to be empathetic rather than sympathetic.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Client
Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
4. A nurse cares for a rape victim who was given a drink that contained
flunitrazepam by an assailant. Monitoring for which outcome has priorit y?
a. coma.
b. seizures.
c. hypotonia.
d. respiratory depression.
ANS: D
Halter: Varcarolis’ Foundations of Psychiatric -Mental Health Nursing: A
Clinical Approach, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A rape victim visited a rape crisis counselo r weekl y for 8 weeks. At the
end of this counseling period, which comment by the victim best
demonstrates that reorganization was successful, and the victim is now in
recovery?
a. “I have a rash on m y buttocks. It itches all the time.”
b. “Now I know what I did that triggered the attack on me.”
c. “I’m sleeping better although I still have an occasional nightmare.”
d. “I have lost 8 pounds since the attack, but I needed to lose some
weight.”
ANS: C
Rape-trauma syndrome is a variant of posttraumatic stress disorder.
The absence of signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder
suggest that the long -term reorganization phase was successfully
completed. The victim’s sleep has stabilized; occasional nightmares
occur, even in reorganization. The distracters suggest so matic
s ymptoms, appetite disturbances, and self -blame, all of which are
indicators that the process is ongoing.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Anal yze (Anal ysis) TOP:
Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC: Client Needs: Psychosocial
Integrit y
,2. A nurse interviews a 17 -year-old male victim of sexual assault. The victim
is reluctant to talk about the experience. Which comment should the nurse
offer to this victim?
a. “Male victims of sexual assault are usually better equipped than
women to deal with the emotional p ain that occurs.”
b. “Male victims of sexual assault often experience physical injuries
and are assaulted by more than one person.”
c. “Do you have any male friends who have also been victims of
sexual assault?”
d. “Why do you think you became a victim of sexual as sault?”
ANS: B
Few rape survivors seek help, even with serious injury; so, it is
important for the nurse to help the victim discuss the experience. The
correct response therapeuticall y gives information to this victim. A
male rape victim is more likel y t o experience physical trauma and to
have been victimized by several assailants. Males experience the same
devastation, physical injury, and emotional consequences as females.
Although they may cover their responses, they too benefit from care
and treatment . “Why” questions represent probing, which is a
nontherapeutic communication technique. The victim may or may not
have friends who have had this experience, but it is important to talk
about his feelings rather than theirs.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Appl y (Application)
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Client
Needs: Psychosocial Integrit y
, 3. A nurse works at rape telephone hotline. What should be the focus of
communication with potential victims?
a. explaining immediate steps victims should take .
b. providing callers with a sympathetic listener.
c. obtaining information for law enforcement.
d. arranging counseling.
ANS: A
The telephone counselor establishes where the victim is and what has
happened and provides the necessary information to enable the vi ctim
to decide what steps to take immediatel y. Counseling is not the focus
until immediate problems are resolved. The victim remains anonymous.
The other distracters are inappropriate or incorrect because counselors
are trained to be empathetic rather than sympathetic.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: Client
Needs: Safe, Effective Care Environment
4. A nurse cares for a rape victim who was given a drink that contained
flunitrazepam by an assailant. Monitoring for which outcome has priorit y?
a. coma.
b. seizures.
c. hypotonia.
d. respiratory depression.
ANS: D
