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Intimate partner violence — MCCQE Part 1 MCQ

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HardPsychosocial AspectsIntimate partner violenceMCCQE Part 1

A 36-year-old woman presents with bruises on her arms and says she fell, but later discloses that her partner hit her and monitors her phone. She does not want police called today and there are no children at home. Which of the following is the most appropriate physician response?

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Correct answer: C — Validate, assess immediate safety, offer resources and document carefully while respecting competent patient choices unless mandatory reporting applies

For competent adults experiencing IPV, the physician should provide trauma-informed support, assess risk, document injuries and offer safety resources. Mandatory reporting depends on children, weapons, serious imminent risk or jurisdiction-specific law, not every disclosure. Confrontation can increase danger.

Reference: CMPA documentation and confidentiality guidance; Canadian IPV clinical resources