Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) CBT Practice Test 2025 - Free Nursing CBT Practice Questions and Study Guide

The correct answer is sexual abuse, as the context provided indicates a situation involving bruising on a vulnerable person alongside reports of inappropriate physical contact. These elements raise significant concerns about the potential for sexual exploitation or violation, especially in a context where the individual is unable to protect themselves, highlighting their vulnerability.

Sexual abuse encompasses any non-consensual sexual acts or inappropriate behavior that can severely impact the emotional and physical well-being of the victim. The presence of bruising may also suggest that physical harm was inflicted during such encounters, further reinforcing the concern for sexual abuse.

In contrast, discriminatory abuse generally involves unfair treatment based on personal characteristics such as race or disability, which is not reflected in this scenario. Financial abuse relates to the theft or misuse of a person's financial resources, which is also not applicable here. Institutional abuse refers to neglect or poor care provided in a healthcare setting but doesn't specifically address the inappropriate physical contact or the resulting bruising. Thus, the circumstances described clearly align with the definition of sexual abuse, making it the most appropriate response in this situation.