A patient tells the nurse that she does not bother to bathe anymore and has no appetite, so she eats only a few times a week. The nurse would evaluate this statement as possibly indicating which type of mistreatment?

Question

1. Abandonment
2. Physical abuse
3. Emotional abuse
4. Self-neglect

Answer 1

4
Rationale 1: Abandonment occurs when another person stops taking care of a dependent person.
Rationale 2: There is no indication of physical abuse.
Rationale 3: Emotional abuse may have impaired the patient's self-esteem, but there is insufficient information to make that determination.
Rationale 4: Self-neglect occurs when an individual who is capable of making decisions and understanding consequences engages in behaviors that threatens his or her safety or well-being.