Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, Impulse Control Disorders no. 5058

Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, Impulse Control Disorders no. 5058

QUESTION: When interviewing the parents of an injured child, which sign is the strongest indicator that child abuse may be a problem?

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O a.) The injury isn't consistent with the history or the child's age.

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O b.) The mother and father tell different stories regarding what happened.

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O c.) The family is poor.

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O d.) The parents are argumentative and demanding with emergency department personnel.

RATIONALE

RATIONALE: When the child's injuries are inconsistent with the history given or impossible because of the child's age and developmental stage, the emergency department nurse should be suspicious that child abuse is occurring. The parents may tell different stories because their perception may be different regarding what happened. If they change their story when different health care workers ask the same question, this is a clue that child abuse may be a problem. Child abuse occurs in all socioeconomic groups. Parents may argue and be demanding because of the stress of having an injured child.
NURSING PROCESS STEP: Assessment
CLIENT NEEDS CATEGORY: Psychosocial integrity
CLIENT NEEDS SUBCATEGORY: None
COGNITIVE LEVEL: Application