A nurse working at a middle school suspects that a student is experiencing physical abuse after performing an assessment on them. Which of the following actions should the nurse take next?
Make a report to Child Protective Services (CPS)
Call the police and report the suspected abuse.
Call the child's guardian to have the child's pediatrician confirm the suspected abuse.
Alert the school principal of the situation.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A: Make a Report to Child Protective Services (CPS)
This is the correct action for the nurse to take. Nurses are mandated reporters, meaning they are legally required to report any suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities. Child Protective Services (CPS) is the agency responsible for investigating reports of child abuse and ensuring the safety and well-being of children. Reporting to CPS ensures that the case is handled by professionals trained to investigate and intervene in such situations.
Choice B: Call the Police and Report the Suspected Abuse
While calling the police may seem like a logical step, it is not the primary action a nurse should take in this situation. The police may become involved later in the process, especially if there is an immediate threat to the child's safety. However, the initial report should be made to CPS, as they are the designated agency for handling child abuse cases.
Choice C: Call the Child's Guardian to Have the Child's Pediatrician Confirm the Suspected Abuse
This action is not appropriate because it could potentially place the child in further danger. If the guardian is the abuser, notifying them could lead to retaliation against the child or attempts to cover up the abuse. Additionally, it is not the role of the pediatrician to confirm abuse; this is the responsibility of CPS and law enforcement.
Choice D: Alert the School Principal of the Situation
While it is important to keep school officials informed, the nurse's primary responsibility is to report the suspected abuse to CPS. The school principal can be informed after the report has been made, but the immediate priority is to ensure the child's safety by contacting the appropriate authorities.

Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A: "Telehealth Helps Clients Who Have Difficulty Accessing a Physician's Office Communicate with Their Primary Care Providers."
This statement is correct. Telehealth is particularly beneficial for homebound clients who may have difficulty traveling to a physician's office. It allows them to communicate with their primary care providers through video calls, phone calls, or online messaging. This can help manage chronic conditions, provide follow-up care, and ensure that patients receive timely medical advice without the need to leave their homes.
Choice B: "Telehealth Helps to Cover the Cost of Prescriptions, Medical Equipment, and Other Health Care Expenditures."
This statement is incorrect. Telehealth primarily focuses on providing remote clinical services rather than covering the costs of prescriptions, medical equipment, or other health care expenditures. While telehealth can facilitate access to medical advice and consultations, it does not directly address financial coverage for health care costs.
Choice C: "Telehealth is a Supplemental Program that Fills in Gaps in Coverage from Government-Provided Health Insurance.
This statement is misleading. Telehealth is not a supplemental insurance program but a method of delivering health care services remotely. It can complement traditional in-person care by providing additional access to medical consultations and follow-ups, but it does not function as an insurance program to fill coverage gaps.
Choice D: "Telehealth Can Duplicate or Replace All of the Services Provided by a Health Care Institution."
This statement is incorrect. While telehealth can provide many services remotely, it cannot replace all the services provided by a health care institution. Certain medical procedures, physical examinations, and treatments require in-person visits. Telehealth is a valuable tool for enhancing access to care, but it is not a complete substitute for all health care services.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Autonomy refers to respecting an individual's right to make their own decisions. In the context of healthcare, it means allowing patients to make informed choices about their own care. While autonomy is an important ethical principle, it is not the primary focus when considering the balance of benefits and harms in a community-wide intervention.
Choice B Reason:
Beneficence is the ethical principle that involves acting in the best interest of others by promoting good and preventing harm. In this scenario, the nurse demonstrates beneficence by ensuring that the benefits of the physical activity program substantially outweigh any potential harms. This principle is central to public health initiatives, where the goal is to enhance the well-being of the community.
Choice C Reason:
Nonmaleficence is the principle of "do no harm." It emphasizes the importance of not causing harm to others. While nonmaleficence is closely related to beneficence, the focus in this scenario is on the positive impact of the intervention (beneficence) rather than solely avoiding harm (nonmaleficence).
Choice D Reason:
Justice refers to fairness and equality in the distribution of resources and treatment. It ensures that all individuals have equal access to healthcare and that no group is unfairly disadvantaged. Although justice is a crucial ethical principle, the scenario specifically highlights the balance of benefits and harms, which aligns more closely with beneficence.

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