Nursing primary goals.

Nursing primary goals. Amanda Solo, a 22-year-old female presents to an outpatient clinic with a chief complaint of problems sleeping. Yvonne Sanchez the nurse at the clinic, remembers seeing Amanda was in the clinic not long ago. She reviews Amanda’s medical record before seeing her and notes that Amanda has been in the clinic four times in the last five months. Each time with vague symptoms, and each time she was sent home with a non-specific diagnosis. The nurse reviews her social history and sees that Amanda has no medical conditions and takes no medications other than oral contraceptives.

When Yvonne enters the room, she observes Amanda sitting on the exam table with her knees held tightly against her torso and rocking back and forth. Yvonne asks Amanda to describe the symptoms she has been experiencing. Amanda states that her headaches have been occurring off and on for a while, and she describes them as “intense” and often keeping her awake at night. As she talks, Yvonne notices a flat effect in Amanda’s communication pattern.

She also notices bruising to her neck, just above the clavicle, and on her upper arms. When Yvonne asks Amanda the last time she experienced the headache, she tells Yvonne she cannot remember exactly but perhaps one to two weeks ago.

Yvonne suspects Amanda may be experiencing violence. She pulls out the Partner Violence Screening tool available at her office and asks Amanda the following three questions.

1. Have you been hit, kicked, punched, or otherwise hurt by someone within the past year? And if so, by whom?

2. Do you feel safe in your current relationship?

3. Is there a partner from a previous relationship who is making you feel unsafe now?

what is relevant in the story

what is the nurse’s primary goal in caring for Amanda?

In addition to the care and referrals provided directly to Amanda, what is the legal and ethical duty of the nurse?