A nurse in a well-child clinic is collecting data from four clients. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider as a potential indication of child maltreatment?

Choice A rationale:
Allowing an adolescent driver to answer their phone while driving can lead to distraction, increasing the risk of accidents. Engaging in conversations on the phone diverts the driver's attention from the road, which is unsafe. It's crucial for drivers, especially new ones, to focus solely on driving to prevent accidents.
Choice B rationale:
This choice is correct. Not answering the phone while driving is a responsible behavior that indicates an understanding of the dangers of distracted driving. Parents should encourage their children to focus on the road and avoid distractions like phone calls, promoting safe driving practices.
Choice C rationale:
This statement is incorrect. Adolescents should continue wearing helmets when riding their bikes even after age 13. Wearing helmets helps prevent head injuries in case of accidents. While older adolescents might perceive themselves as less prone to accidents, they are still at risk, and helmets are essential for their safety.
Choice D rationale:
This choice is correct. Wearing appropriate protective clothing, like long pants, while driving an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) is crucial. Long pants can provide some degree of protection against scrapes, scratches, and minor injuries that can occur while operating an ATV. It's a safety measure that shows an understanding of the importance of protective gear.

Choice A rationale:
Extremities warm to the touch. This manifestation is not indicative of decreased cardiac output. Warm extremities suggest adequate peripheral perfusion and circulation. In a child with decreased cardiac output, the body might attempt to shunt blood away from the extremities to prioritize vital organs, leading to cooler extremities.
Choice B rationale:
Capillary refill 2 seconds. A capillary refill time of 2 seconds is within the normal range for a preschool-aged child. This quick capillary refill suggests adequate circulation and is not a sign of decreased cardiac output. Prolonged capillary refill time might be indicative of poor peripheral perfusion.
Choice C rationale:
Blood pressure 112/66 mm Hg. While a blood pressure of 112/66 mm Hg might be within the normal range for a preschooler, it is not the most reliable indicator of decreased cardiac output. Blood pressure can be influenced by various factors, and a seemingly normal blood pressure does not rule out decreased cardiac output if other manifestations are present.
Choice D rationale:
Diminished pulses. This is the correct choice. Diminished or weak pulses are indicative of decreased cardiac output. Inadequate blood volume being pumped by the heart can lead to reduced peripheral perfusion, resulting in diminished pulses. This sign is important in assessing the child's cardiovascular status postoperatively, especially after a corrective procedure for tetralogy of Fallot.