Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

Who would be least resourceful in the investigation of elder abuse?

1. Caregiver to the patient

2. Senior center staff where the subject spends time

3. Friends of the subject

4. Neighbors

The correct answer is: Caregiver to the patient

The caregiver to the patient would be least resourceful in the investigation of elder abuse due to their close personal involvement with the patient. As the primary individual responsible for the patient's daily care, the caregiver may be either directly implicated in the abuse or may feel a loyalty to the patient that inhibits them from providing objective information. Their intimate knowledge of the patient's routines and behaviors could bias their responses, affecting the reliability of any information they might provide. In contrast, the other options, such as senior center staff, friends, and neighbors, have the potential to offer more impartial perspectives. Senior center staff often have training and experience in recognizing and reporting signs of elder abuse, while friends might have frequent interactions that allow them to notice changes in the patient’s behavior or wellbeing. Neighbors can observe interactions from an outside perspective and provide accounts of what they see or hear regarding the patient’s living situation. Each of these groups can contribute observations and insights that are less influenced by a personal stake in the situation compared to the caregiver.