Which step should a nurse prioritize when managing a client suspected of experiencing elder abuse?

A. Document findings and report suspicions to the appropriate authorities is correct. When elder abuse is suspected, the nurse’s legal and ethical responsibility is to accurately document objective findings and report the suspicions to mandated authorities, such as adult protective services. Prompt reporting helps protect the client and initiates an official investigation. B. Confronting the alleged abuser directly is not appropriate. This can escalate the situation, put the elder client at further risk, and may interfere with the investigation. Nurses should avoid direct confrontation with the suspected abuser. C. Discussing the situation with the elder client’s family may be unsafe or inappropriate, especially if the family member is the suspected abuser. This step should not precede documentation and reporting to authorities. D. Creating a safety plan with the client’s consent is important for long-term protection, but it is secondary to the immediate priority of documenting and reporting suspected abuse. Ensuring official intervention comes first to reduce imminent risk.