Share This Link

Reason: Asking the mother to leave the room and interviewing the child alone may be helpful, but it is not the first priority. The nurse should ensure the safety of the child and follow the mandatory reporting laws for child abuse.

Reason: Confronting the mother about the possibility of physical abuse and offering her counseling is not appropriate at this stage. The nurse should not accuse or judge the mother, as this may escalate the situation and endanger the child. The nurse should focus on providing support and resources to both the child and the mother, but only after reporting the abuse.

Reason: Discharging the child with a referral to a social worker and a follow-up appointment is not sufficient to address the situation. The child may be at risk of further abuse or even death if returned to the abusive environment. The nurse should not discharge the child until an investigation is conducted and a safety plan is established.

Reason: This statement by the nurse would be inappropriate, as it would be accusatory, confrontational, and threatening to the parents. This may provoke anger or defensiveness from the parents, and worsen the situation for the child. The nurse should report the suspected emotional abuse to the appropriate authorities, but not disclose this to the parents.

Reason: This statement by the nurse would be inappropriate, as it would be false, misleading, and enabling to the parents. The nurse should not praise or reinforce the parents' abusive behavior, as this may encourage them to continue or escalate it. The nurse should also not minimize or ignore the child's emotional distress.

Reason: This statement by the nurse would be inappropriate, as it would be critical, blunt, and confrontational to the parents. This may cause guilt or shame in the parents, and damage the therapeutic relationship with the nurse. The nurse should not lecture or scold the parents, but rather use open-ended questions and reflective listening to help them understand the impact of their behavior on their child.

Reason: This statement by the nurse would be inaccurate, as hitting or slapping a child for misbehaving is an example of physical abuse, not neglect. Physical abuse is the intentional use of physical force that causes or risks harm to a child.

Reason: This statement by the nurse would be inaccurate, as leaving a child alone at home while going to work may or may not be an example of neglect, depending on the age and maturity of the child, the duration and frequency of the absence, and the availability of supervision and support. Neglect is the failure to provide for a child's basic physical, emotional, educational, or medical needs.

Reason: This statement by the nurse would be inaccurate, as forcing a child to participate in sexual activities is an example of sexual abuse, not neglect. Sexual abuse is the involvement of a child in sexual activity that he or she cannot consent to or understand.

Reason: A 5-year-old client who has multiple rib fractures and a punctured lung has a high risk of morbidity from abuse, as these injuries are indicative of blunt force trauma to the chest, which can cause respiratory distress, infection, or shock. However, these injuries are less likely to be fatal than head injuries, especially if treated promptly.

Reason: An 8-year-old client who has second-degree burns on both hands and arms has a moderate risk of morbidity from abuse, as these injuries are indicative of thermal injury from hot liquids or objects, which can cause pain, infection, or scarring. However, these injuries are less likely to be life-threatening than head or chest injuries, unless they cover a large surface area of the body.

Reason: A 12-year-old client who has a broken femur and internal bleeding has a low risk of morbidity from abuse, as these injuries are indicative of blunt force trauma to the leg, which can cause pain, swelling, or hematoma. However, these injuries are unlikely to be fatal unless complicated by infection, embolism, or hemorrhage.

Reason: This is not a correct answer. Play therapy may help the client to develop social skills and interact with other children who have similar experiences, but this is not the primary rationale for using play therapy for this client. Play therapy is more focused on the individual needs and goals of the client, rather than on group dynamics or peer support.

Reason: This is not a correct answer. Play therapy may teach the client coping skills and strategies to deal with stressful situations and emotions, but this is not the main rationale for using play therapy for this client. Play therapy is more focused on the emotional healing and resolution of the client, rather than on behavioral modification or skill acquisition.

Reason: This is not a correct answer. Play therapy may enhance the client's cognitive development and problem-solving abilities, but this is not the primary rationale for using play therapy for this client. Play therapy is more focused on the affective and expressive aspects of the client, rather than on the cognitive or intellectual aspects.

Reason: This is not a correct answer. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mental health disorder that involves persistent and pervasive feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or worthlessness that interfere with daily functioning. MDD may be triggered by traumatic events such as sexual abuse, but it does not necessarily involve symptoms of intrusion, avoidance, or hyperarousal that are specific to PTSD.

Reason: This is not a correct answer. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental health disorder that involves excessive and uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life that causes significant distress or impairment. GAD may be exacerbated by traumatic events such as sexual abuse, but it does not necessarily involve symptoms of intrusion, avoidance, or negative mood that are specific to PTSD.

Reason: This is not a correct answer. Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a mental health disorder that involves disruption of identity characterized by two or more distinct personality states that recurrently take control of behavior. DID may be associated with traumatic events such as sexual abuse, but it does not necessarily involve symptoms of intrusion, avoidance, or arousal that are specific to PTSD.