If a patient says no but abuse is suspected, what is recommended?

• A. Confront with accusations
• B. Ignore the concern
• C. Offer hotline number and Safe Place hospitals
• D. Report to police without consent

Answer: (C)

The main approach here is safety planning and providing access to confidential, supportive resources while respecting the patient’s autonomy. Offering a hotline and Safe Place hospitals gives the patient practical options to seek help on their own terms, without pressure or coercion, and helps connect them to immediate support and safety planning. Confronting the patient with accusations can undermine trust and deter disclosure; ignoring the concern fails to address potential harm; reporting to police without consent oversteps confidentiality and autonomy unless there are mandatory reporting laws or imminent danger. If there is imminent danger, emergency services should be contacted, but otherwise providing these resources is the recommended step.