In prenatal care with universal IPV screening, which statement reflects the correct approach?

In prenatal care with universal IPV screening, which statement reflects the correct approach?

• A. Since you are pregnant, has your partner ever physically hurt you?
• B. Have you ever been the victim of intimate partner violence?
• C. It is clinic policy to ask if you are in an abusive relationship.
• D. Because domestic violence is so prevalent in our society, we ask all women about any experience with abuse.

Answer: (D)

Universal screening in prenatal care means asking every pregnant patient about intimate partner violence, not only those who show obvious red flags. The best approach is to routinely inquire with all women about any experience with abuse in a private, nonjudgmental, and supportive manner. This normalizes the conversation, reduces the chance that someone with hidden abuse goes unidentified, and helps connect them with safety planning and resources. When asking, use a calm, respectful tone, ensure privacy, and follow up with appropriate support and referrals as indicated. The other approaches fall short because they either target only certain situations, imply the patient must be a victim, or rely on policy wording rather than engaging the patient in a standard, patient-centered way.

Universal screening in prenatal care means asking every pregnant patient about intimate partner violence, not only those who show obvious red flags. The best approach is to routinely inquire with all women about any experience with abuse in a private, nonjudgmental, and supportive manner. This normalizes the conversation, reduces the chance that someone with hidden abuse goes unidentified, and helps connect them with safety planning and resources. When asking, use a calm, respectful tone, ensure privacy, and follow up with appropriate support and referrals as indicated.

The other approaches fall short because they either target only certain situations, imply the patient must be a victim, or rely on policy wording rather than engaging the patient in a standard, patient-centered way.