Legal and Ethical Obligations of the Nurse to Report Suspected or Confirmed Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect
Legal and Ethical Obligations of the Nurse to Report Suspected or Confirmed Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect ( 4 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a child who has multiple bruises and fractures in different stages of healing. The nurse suspects that the child is a victim of physical abuse. What is the nurse's legal obligation in this situation?
Reason: This is incorrect because confronting the parents with the suspicion of abuse may put the child at further risk of harm or retaliation. The nurse should not disclose the suspicion to anyone who is not authorized or involved in the investigation.
Reason: This is correct because the nurse has a legal obligation to report any Reasonable suspicion of child abuse and neglect to the appropriate authorities and agencies, such as child protective services, law enforcement, or health department, depending on the state laws and regulations. The nurse should follow the reporting procedures and protocols of the facility and state.
Reason: This is incorrect because reporting the suspicion to the nurse manager and documenting the findings in the child's chart are not sufficient actions to fulfill the legal obligation of the nurse. The nurse manager may not have the authority or responsibility to report or investigate the case, and documenting the findings does not ensure that the child will receive protection or intervention.
Reason: This is incorrect because reporting the suspicion to the social worker and asking for a referral to a child protection service are not immediate or direct actions to fulfill the legal obligation of the nurse. The social worker may not be available or qualified to handle the case, and asking for a referral does not guarantee that the report will be made or followed up.
Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because confronting the parents with the suspicion of abuse may put the child at further risk of harm or retaliation. The nurse should not disclose the suspicion to anyone who is not authorized or involved in the investigation.
Choice B Reason: This is correct because the nurse has a legal obligation to report any Reasonable suspicion of child abuse and neglect to the appropriate authorities and agencies, such as child protective services, law enforcement, or health department, depending on the state laws and regulations. The nurse should follow the reporting procedures and protocols of the facility and state.
Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because reporting the suspicion to the nurse manager and documenting the findings in the child's chart are not sufficient actions to fulfill the legal obligation of the nurse. The nurse manager may not have the authority or responsibility to report or investigate the case, and documenting the findings does not ensure that the child will receive protection or intervention.
Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because reporting the suspicion to the social worker and asking for a referral to a child protection service are not immediate or direct actions to fulfill the legal obligation of the nurse. The social worker may not be available or qualified to handle the case, and asking for a referral does not guarantee that the report will be made or followed up.