A practical nurse (PN) is assisting with the admission of a 4-year-old child who sustained a fractured femur. During data collection, the PN notes multiple round, circular scars in various stages of healing on the child's back. When the parents approach the bed, the child physically shrinks away and avoids eye contact. The parents state, "He is just so clumsy and falls all the time." Which of the following is the priority action for the practical nurse?
- Notify the supervising registered nurse and report the findings to the designated child protective authorities immediately.Cevap
- BDelay reporting until further observation of the family dynamics provides concrete proof of abuse.
- CAsk the child directly why the parents caused the injuries to confirm the source of the trauma.
- DPerform an independent, comprehensive forensic assessment to document the precise mechanism of injury.
Cevap
The practical nurse must immediately notify the supervising registered nurse and report the findings to the designated child protective authorities.
The correct action demonstrates an understanding of the practical nurse's role as a mandated reporter. Unexplained injuries that do not match the provided history, combined with fearful behavior, require immediate escalation to protect the child. The nurse only needs a suspicion of abuse to make a report, not definitive proof.
Adım Adım Çözüm
Anahtar Kavram
Mandated Reporting of Suspected Abuse