Who may be the first person a patient experiencing IPV turns to in a health care setting?

• A. Family member
• B. Nurse
• C. Social worker
• D. Police officer

Answer: (B)

The first person a patient experiencing IPV often turns to in a health care setting is the nurse. Nurses are usually the frontline providers during visits or emergencies, and they’re trained to create a private, nonjudgmental space to ask about safety and abuse. This initial screening by the nurse helps establish trust, assess immediate risk, and determine what kind of help is needed next. The nurse can document injuries, ensure safety, and connect the patient to referrals such as a social worker, counseling, or domestic violence resources. Family members being present can hinder disclosure, and police involvement is typically for immediate danger or criminal concerns, not the routine first point of contact. While a social worker or law enforcement has important roles, the nurse is most likely to be the initial person the patient speaks with about IPV.