NCLEX-RNManagement of CareEasy
A school nurse examines a 6-year-old child and notices multiple bruises in various stages of healing on the child's back and buttocks, along with the child's reluctance to discuss how the injuries occurred. What is the nurse's priority legal obligation?
- AConfront the parents directly about the suspected abuse
- BWait until the injuries are reassessed at the next scheduled visit
- CAsk the child's teacher to investigate the home situation first
- DDocument the findings and report the suspected abuse to child protective services
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Document the findings and report the suspected abuse to child protective services
Nurses are mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse. The nurse must objectively document findings and report to the appropriate child protective agency; investigation is not the nurse's role.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Confronting parents may endanger the child and is not the nurse's role; investigation belongs to authorities.
- B. Delaying reporting places the child at continued risk and violates mandatory reporting duty.
- C. Investigation is the responsibility of child protective services, not school staff.
Mandatory Reporting of Abuse
Nurses are legally required to report suspected child, elder, or domestic abuse to appropriate authorities, regardless of parental consent.
- Reporting is mandatory, not optional, for nurses
- Document objective findings without accusation
- Failure to report can result in legal liability
- Investigation is done by protective services, not the nurse
Memory trick: See suspicion, send a report—don't play detective.