In providing care, what should you offer to give the victim control during examinations and testing?

• A. Mandatory full medical examination
• B. Offer options to opt in and out of any examination and testing
• C. No opportunity to participate in decisions
• D. Only allow testing after consent from a family member

Answer: (B)

Giving the survivor control over examinations and testing centers autonomy and informed consent in care. In trauma-informed practice, the patient should guide what happens to their body, with clear explanations of what each test involves and why it’s being done. Offering options to opt in or out respects their boundaries, reduces distress, and helps build trust, making them an active participant in their own care. To implement this, provide information in plain language, ask for voluntary consent before each procedure, and honor their choices, including the option to pause, postpone, or decline. You can also discuss preferences for support people, privacy, and confidentiality.

The other approaches undermine autonomy: mandating a full medical examination removes the patient’s agency; denying any participation removes their voice in care; and requiring consent from a family member can violate the patient’s own rights and confidentiality.