Which is a sign of suspicious behavior indicating possible abuse?

• A. Regularly leaving AMA
• B. Single visit with consistent attendance
• C. No shows with immediate diagnosis
• D. Repeated visits and erratic attendance at appointments

Answer: (D)

Repeated visits with unpredictable, irregular attendance show a pattern of care-seeking that doesn’t fit a stable medical issue. In abuse situations, someone may cycle in and out of care, sometimes returning quickly, other times delaying or skipping appointments, which can reflect attempts to hide injuries, obtain medications, or manage a deceptive narrative. This kind of erratic pattern stands out as a potential red flag because it signals inconsistency over time rather than a normal, predictable follow-up course.

In contrast, a patient who attends regularly or only has a single visit with a straightforward history is less suspicious, and no-shows with an obviously false or immediate diagnosis is highly unlikely and doesn’t align with typical abuse patterns. If you notice repeated, irregular attendance, it’s important to document carefully, consider safety concerns, and involve appropriate support services.