15.1 Introduction
Learning Objectives
- Identify assessment cues of clients and families experiencing trauma, abuse, and/or violence
- Identify assessment cues of adverse childhood experiences in a client’s history
- Identify factors promoting the cycle of trauma, abuse, and/or violence
- Identify nursing priorities for clients and families experiencing trauma, abuse, and/or violence
- Plan outcomes for clients and families experiencing trauma abuse and/or violence
- Differentiate safety/protective interventions for clients and families experiencing trauma, abuse, and/or violence
- Apply evidence-based practice when planning care and interventions for clients and families experiencing trauma, abuse, and/or violence
- Analyze treatments for clients and families experiencing trauma, abuse, and/or violence
- Apply the nursing process to clients and families experiencing trauma, abuse, and/or violence who are at risk for suicide
- Incorporate trauma-informed care
- Describe strategies to remain safe if workplace violence occurs
The health care system is composed of people who have experienced trauma, both those providing and those receiving care. Supporters of a trauma-informed care approach recognize the prevalence of trauma survivors within health care settings and are aware that the service setting can also be a source of re-traumatization. As stated in the article Trauma-Informed Nursing Practice, understanding how trauma has affected clients’ lives and their interactions within the health care system is fundamental to responding to clients’ needs and promotes better physical and mental health outcomes.[1]
Nurses provide care for clients who are experiencing or have experienced neglect, abuse, and intimate partner violence. In many settings, nurses may experience workplace violence while caring for clients who are agitated or combative. Because these issues are so prevalent, nurses must be knowledgeable of these issues and how to care for afflicted clients. This chapter will discuss adverse childhood experiences and trauma-informed care, abuse and neglect of children and vulnerable adults, intimate partner violence, and workplace violence. Be aware that the content in this chapter may trigger powerful emotions, especially for survivors of similar traumatic experiences. Self-awareness and self-care practices should guide your engagement with this chapter.
Read the article “Trauma-Informed Nursing Practice” in the Online Journal of Issues in Nursing published by the American Nurses Association.
- Fleishman, J., Kamsky, H., & Sundborg, S. (2019, May 31). Trauma-informed nursing practice. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 24(2). https://doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol24No02Man03 ↵
