Question

A home health nurse is completing an admission assessment of an older adult client who has their caregiver present. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a potential indication of elder abuse?

a) The client expresses satisfaction with their living situation.
b) The caregiver is attentive and engaged in the conversation.
c) The client is reluctant to speak without the caregiver present.
d) The caregiver reports the client's recent improvement in health.

Answer 1

The nurse should identify the client's reluctance to speak without the caregiver present as a potential indication of elder abuse.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should identify option c) The client is reluctant to speak without the caregiver present as a potential indication of elder abuse. This behavior may indicate that the client is afraid to speak freely or express their true feelings in the presence of the caregiver, which could be a sign of control or manipulation. Elder abuse can take many forms including physical, emotional, financial, and neglect. It is important for the nurse to document any suspicious findings and report them to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.