A nurse is conducting an admission assessment for an 82-year-old client with moderate dementia who resides with a family member. The nurse discovers multiple unexplained bruises in various stages of healing on the client's torso and upper arms. Which of the following is the nurse's legally mandated priority action?
- AInterview the family member to determine the exact cause of the bruising.
- BInstruct the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to closely observe the family member's behavior.
- Notify the state adult protective services agency of the suspected abuse.Cevap
- DDocument the physical findings and monitor for additional injuries over the next 24 hours.
Cevap
Notify the state adult protective services agency of the suspected abuse.
Nurses are mandatory reporters for vulnerable populations, including older adults with cognitive impairments. Unexplained bruises in various stages of healing, especially on the torso and upper arms, create a reasonable suspicion of physical abuse. The nurse is legally obligated to report this suspicion to the appropriate state agency (such as Adult Protective Services) immediately, without needing conclusive proof or conducting an internal investigation.
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Mandatory Reporting of Elder Abuse