A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a child who reports being sexually abused by a family member.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Reassure the child that no one will be told about the abuse.
Ensure that multiple nurses are present for the physical examination.
Explain to the child what will happen when the abuse is reported.
Use leading statements to obtain information from the child.
The Correct Answer is C
The correct answer is C. Explain to the child what will happen when the abuse is reported.
This is because the nurse should provide honest and accurate information to the child about the reporting process and the possible outcomes, such as legal actions, investigations, or removal from the home.
This can help the child feel more prepared and less anxious about what will happen next. The nurse should also reassure the child that the abuse is not their fault and that they did the right thing by telling someone.
Choice A is wrong because reassuring the child that no one will be told about the abuse is unethical and illegal.
The nurse has a mandatory duty to report any suspected or confirmed cases of child abuse to the appropriate authorities, such as child protective services or law enforcement. Keeping the abuse a secret can also endanger the child’s safety and well-being, as well as prevent them from receiving the necessary medical and psychological care.
Choice B is wrong because ensuring that multiple nurses are present for the physical examination can increase the child’s fear, embarrassment, or discomfort.
The nurse should minimize the number of people involved in the examination and only include those who are essential for providing care or collecting evidence. The nurse should also explain to the child what will be done during the examination and obtain their consent before proceeding.
Choice D is wrong because using leading statements to obtain information from the child can influence their responses and affect the validity of their testimony.
The nurse should use open-ended questions and avoid suggesting or implying any details about the abuse. The nurse should also document the child’s statements verbatim and avoid interpreting or paraphrasing them.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
This is because the AP’s statement constitutes an intentional tort, which is a wrong that the defendant knew or should have known would be caused by their actions. An assault is defined as intentionally putting another person in reasonable apprehension of an imminent harmful or offensive contact.
The AP’s threat of using restraints and force-feeding the client could cause the client to fear for their safety and dignity, which is an assault.
Choice B. Battery is wrong because battery is defined as intentional causation of harmful or offensive contact with another person without that person’s consent.
The AP did not actually touch the client or carry out the threat, so there was no battery.
Choice C. Negligence is wrong because negligence is an unintentional tort, which occurs when the defendant’s actions or inactions were unreasonably unsafe.
The AP did not act or fail to act in a way that breached the standard of care or caused harm to the client, so there was no negligence.
Choice D. Malpractice is wrong because malpractice is a type of negligence that involves a professional failing to perform their duties according to the standards of their profession.
The AP did not perform any professional duty or service that was below the standard of care or caused harm to the client, so there was no malpractice.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale: Testing skin turgor on the abdomen is common in infants and young children, but in older adults, abdominal skin often loses elasticity due to aging, making it an unreliable site for assessment.
Choice B rationale: The skin over the sternum or the subclavicular area (shoulder/chest) is the most reliable site for older adults. These areas typically maintain more elastic tissue, providing a more accurate reflection of hydration.
Choice C rationale: Assessing the stomach is essentially the same as the abdomen. This site is prone to skin sagging and loss of subcutaneous fat in elderly patients, which can lead to false-positive signs of dehydration.
Choice D rationale: The skin on the neck is thin and highly susceptible to wrinkles and sun damage. Lifting the skin here in an older adult will often show "tenting" even if the patient is well-hydrated.
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