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 interviewing a child who has been referred to a child protection service for suspected sexual abuse. The child is reluctant to talk and appears fearful and ashamed. What is the most appropriate statement for the nurse to make to the child?
Reason: This is incorrect because telling the child that they don't have to be afraid of the nurse may not be effective in reducing their fear or anxiety. The child may not trust the nurse or feel comfortable with them, especially if they have been threatened or manipulated by the abuser. The nurse should instead try to establish rapport and trust with the child, by using a calm and gentle tone of voice, maintaining eye contact, using open-ended questions, and validating the child's feelings.
Reason: This is incorrect because telling the child that they did the right thing by telling someone what happened to them may not be appropriate at this stage of the interview. The child may not have disclosed the abuse yet, or may have been coerced or pressured to do so by someone else. The nurse should instead encourage the child to share their story at their own pace, and reassure them that they are safe and supported.
Reason: This is correct because telling the child that they are not to blame for what happened to them and that it's not their fault can help them cope with the feelings of guilt, shame, and self-blame that are common among victims of sexual abuse. The nurse should emphasize that the responsibility and accountability lie with the abuser, who violated the child's rights and boundaries, and that the child did nothing wrong or deserved what happened to them.
Reason: This is incorrect because telling the child that they have to tell everything that happened to them and that it's very important may put pressure on the child and make them feel overwhelmed or defensive. The child may not be ready or willing to disclose the details of the abuse, or may fear the consequences of doing so, such as retaliation from the abuser, disbelief from others, or legal involvement. The nurse should instead respect the child's autonomy and privacy, and avoid forcing or rushing them to talk.
Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because telling the child that they don't have to be afraid of the nurse may not be effective in reducing their fear or anxiety. The child may not trust the nurse or feel comfortable with them, especially if they have been threatened or manipulated by the abuser. The nurse should instead try to establish rapport and trust with the child, by using a calm and gentle tone of voice, maintaining eye contact, using open-ended questions, and validating the child's feelings.
Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because telling the child that they did the right thing by telling someone what happened to them may not be appropriate at this stage of the interview. The child may not have disclosed the abuse yet, or may have been coerced or pressured to do so by someone else. The nurse should instead encourage the child to share their story at their own pace, and reassure them that they are safe and supported.
Choice C Reason: This is correct because telling the child that they are not to blame for what happened to them and that it's not their fault can help them cope with the feelings of guilt, shame, and self-blame that are common among victims of sexual abuse. The nurse should emphasize that the responsibility and accountability lie with the abuser, who violated the child's rights and boundaries, and that the child did nothing wrong or deserved what happened to them.
Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because telling the child that they have to tell everything that happened to them and that it's very important may put pressure on the child and make them feel overwhelmed or defensive. The child may not be ready or willing to disclose the details of the abuse, or may fear the consequences of doing so, such as retaliation from the abuser, disbelief from others, or legal involvement. The nurse should instead respect the child's autonomy and privacy, and avoid forcing or rushing them to talk.