Law enforcement personnel request your assistance to assess a 31-year-old female who was sexually assaulted. When you arrive at the scene, you find the patient sitting on a curb outside her apartment. She is conscious, alert, and crying. When you ask her what happened, she tells you that she does not want to be treated or transported to the hospital. She further tells you that all she wants to do is clean up. You should:

A. provide emotional support and visually assess her for obvious trauma.
B. advise her that she cannot clean herself up because this will destroy evidence.
C. ask her if there is anyone you can contact, such as a friend or relative.
D. perform a limited hands-on assessment to detect life-threatening injuries.

Ans: A. provide emotional support and visually assess her for obvious trauma.