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Difficulty: MediumLegal and Ethical Practice

A licensed practical nurse (LPN) is assisting a client with morning hygiene on a residential memory care unit. The LPN notes distinct, hand-shaped bruising on the client's bilateral upper arms. A visiting family member states, 'They are so clumsy and keep walking into the doorframes.' Which of the following is the most appropriate legal action for the LPN to take?

  1. Notify the unit supervisor of the objective findings and initiate a formal report to the designated adult protective agency.Answer
  2. B
    Record the family member's explanation in the chart and defer any further intervention until the registered nurse (RN) completes a full skin assessment.
  3. C
    Direct the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to take the client into the hallway and privately ask how the injuries occurred.
  4. D
    Contact the client's other relatives to inform them of the suspicious bruising and ask if they have witnessed any recent falls.

Answer

Notify the unit supervisor of the objective findings and initiate a formal report to the designated adult protective agency.
As a licensed healthcare professional, the LPN is a mandated reporter. When objective clinical findings (such as bilateral hand-shaped bruising) contradict the provided history (walking into doorframes) and suggest potential abuse, the LPN is legally required to report the suspicion immediately to facility management and the appropriate state protective agency to ensure the safety of the vulnerable adult.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the physical evidence against the provided history.
The hand-shaped bruising on the upper arms is highly inconsistent with the stated mechanism of injury (walking into a doorframe).
To identify the presence of a legally reportable situation, such as suspected physical abuse.
2
Determine the LPN's legal responsibility in this specific context.
The LPN identifies their role as a mandated reporter.
State and federal laws mandate licensed healthcare professionals to immediately report any reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect involving vulnerable populations.
3
Select the action that fulfills the legal mandate safely.
The LPN chooses to notify the chain of command and the appropriate state protective agency.
This action guarantees compliance with mandatory reporting laws while avoiding unauthorized delegation or confidentiality breaches.

Key Concept

Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Elder Abuse
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Legal and Ethical Practice

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