While assessing a child at the community health clinic, the nurse notes that the toddler has multiple bruises on his legs and buttocks. After reporting suspected child abuse to the supervisor, which action should the nurse take next?
Obtain a restraining order against the father.
Encourage the mother to file a police report.
Ask the child if his father ever spanks him.
Refer the family to protective service agencies.
The Correct Answer is D
A) Obtain a restraining order against the father:
Obtaining a restraining order is a legal action that can be taken to protect the child but is not typically within the scope of the nurse’s immediate responsibilities. This action would involve law enforcement and the legal system rather than being an immediate next step in the healthcare setting. The nurse's role is to report the suspected abuse and ensure that appropriate protective services are involved.
B) Encourage the mother to file a police report:
Encouraging the mother to file a police report is a potential step in addressing the situation, but it should not be the nurse's immediate next action. The nurse's primary responsibility is to ensure that the appropriate child protective services are notified and involved, as they are equipped to handle investigations and interventions in cases of suspected child abuse.
C) Ask the child if his father ever spanks him:
Asking the child about specific forms of discipline, such as spanking, could potentially place the child in a difficult or unsafe position, especially if abuse is suspected. It is not the nurse's role to investigate or interrogate the child directly. Instead, the focus should be on ensuring that the proper authorities are notified to handle the investigation.
D) Refer the family to protective service agencies:
Referring the family to protective service agencies is the most appropriate next step. These agencies are specialized in handling cases of suspected abuse and can provide the necessary intervention and support for the child’s safety and well-being. The nurse's role includes reporting suspected abuse to the appropriate authorities and ensuring that protective services are contacted to investigate and address the situation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Hospital emergency departments:
Hospital emergency departments primarily deal with acute and urgent medical issues rather than preventive care. While they can provide treatment for dental emergencies, they are not typically the best setting for initiating preventive programs aimed at reducing dental caries among children.
B) The local shopping mall:
While a shopping mall could be a venue for public health campaigns or educational events, it is not specifically designed for targeted prevention programs related to dental health. The setting may not effectively reach or engage the populations most at risk for dental caries.
C) Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) office:
The WIC office is an ideal location for initiating a prevention program for dental caries among children. WIC serves low-income families with young children and provides services that include education on nutrition and health. By integrating dental health education and resources into the WIC program, the nurse can effectively target families who might benefit most from preventive measures, such as fluoride treatments, dental check-ups, and oral hygiene education.
D) Community youth center:
A community youth center could be a valuable venue for reaching children and their families, and it may offer opportunities for educational programs. However, the WIC office specifically targets families with young children who are at higher risk for dental caries, making it a more directly relevant setting for preventive initiatives.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) The parent's judgment is likely too impaired to provide care for the child:
While a significant increase in alcohol consumption may affect a parent's ability to provide appropriate care for their child, this conclusion is not directly supported by the information provided. The child’s statement about the increase in alcohol consumption indicates a change in drinking behavior but does not explicitly detail the impact on parental judgment or caregiving abilities.
B) Since the parent is increasing his alcohol intake, it is likely that he will soon begin using other addicting drugs:
An increase in alcohol consumption does not necessarily imply that the individual will start using other addictive substances. While alcohol use can be part of a broader pattern of substance abuse, there is no direct evidence from the statement to support this prediction. The focus should remain on the observed change in alcohol use rather than speculating about future drug use.
C) The parent is exhibiting tolerance to alcohol and must increase the amount to achieve the desired effect:
The child's observation that the father has increased his alcohol intake from one beer a day to a six-pack a day suggests the development of tolerance. Tolerance occurs when an individual needs to consume more of a substance to achieve the same effect. This increase in alcohol consumption indicates that the father’s body has adapted to the lower amounts of alcohol, necessitating larger quantities to achieve the desired effects.
D) The child is denying that there is a problem of alcohol abuse in the family:
The child’s statement does not demonstrate denial but rather reports a change in the father’s drinking behavior. Denial would involve minimizing or refusing to acknowledge the problem, whereas the child is providing a straightforward account of the increase in alcohol consumption. The statement reflects an observation rather than an avoidance of recognizing the issue.
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