During a private visit, a client says, ‘My partner hit me last night, but I am not ready to leave or call police.’ The partner is in the waiting room. Complete the first-line crisis-support statement.
Drop-down Cloze
Choose your responses, then check the answer.
Explanation
First-line support begins with private, nonjudgmental listening and validation. The nurse asks about immediate safety and the client's needs, collaborates on a practical safety plan, and offers connections to local advocacy, shelter, health, and social resources. The client should not be pressured to disclose more, confront the partner, leave immediately, or contact police as a condition of receiving care. Required reporting and documentation follow jurisdiction and policy, but support remains centered on the client's safety and autonomy.
Correct Answer Listen and validate without pressure, assess immediate danger and enhance safety, and offer resources while respecting the client's choices.
Why It Fits The WHO LIVES approach provides practical, compassionate support without intruding on the survivor's autonomy.
Clinical Picture Privacy is essential because the alleged abusive partner is nearby and could influence disclosure or increase risk.
Memory Link Listen, validate, safety, support: do not turn help into another loss of control.
NCLEX Rule In crisis intervention, enhance safety and options without forcing a survivor to make the nurse's preferred decision.
Why the Alternatives Fail Confronting the partner can escalate danger. Pressuring a police report or immediate departure may end the conversation and reduce safety. Asking blaming questions undermines trust and validation.
Source
1WHO Caring for Women Subjected to Violence
2WHO First-Line Support in Policy
32026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan
The client has no life-threatening injury in the scenario and can participate in planning. The nurse provides survivor-centered support, assesses immediate danger, and follows applicable local reporting requirements without coercing the client.
LIVES — WHO first-line support: Listen, Inquire about needs, Validate, Enhance safety, and Support.
Safety Plan — A personalized set of practical steps and resources intended to reduce immediate and future risk.
Survivor-Centered Care — Care that prioritizes safety, dignity, informed choice, privacy, and the survivor's stated needs.