An elderly individual from an assisted living facility presents with severe scald burns to the buttocks and back of the thighs
The caregiver from the ALF accompanies the patient to the emergency department and states that the bath water was "too hot" and that the "patient sat in the water too long." What should the nurse do? a. Ask the caregiver at what temperature the water heater is set in the home.
b. Ask the caregiver to step out while examining the patient's burn injury.
c. Immediately contact the police to report the suspected elder abuse.
d. Ask the caregiver to describe exactly how the injury occurred.
B
In cases of suspected abuse, especially in vulnerable patients such as children, elderly, and mentally impaired, it is important to assess the injured patient separately from the caregiver. While obtaining safety information on the temperature of the water heater is important, it is not a priority assessment question. The nurse should follow the hospital protocol for contacting appropriate authorities concerning suspected abuse, which may include contacting the police or social services. Asking the caregiver to describe how the injury occurred is important (e.g., there may be discrepancies in the physical assessment and reported mechanism of burn injury); however, examining the patient away from the caregiver is a priority.
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