Pathophysiology
Clinical meaning
Intimate partner violence (IPV) encompasses physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse by a current or former intimate partner. The cycle of violence typically follows a pattern: tension building, acute battering incident, and honeymoon/reconciliation phase. Chronic exposure to IPV activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, producing sustained cortisol elevation that causes hippocampal atrophy (impaired memory and decision-making), amygdala hyperactivation (heightened threat response), and prefrontal cortex hypofunction (impaired executive function). Victims develop complex trauma responses including learned helplessness, trauma bonding, and hypervigilance. The nurse screens for IPV indicators, provides empathetic non-judgmental care, ensures patient safety, documents findings, and reports to the nurse and appropriate authorities.