The nurse is assessing a 5-year-old child admitted for a minor injury. The nurse observes multiple cigarette burns on the child's arm and notes the child is unusually withdrawn. What is the nurse's primary ethical and legal responsibility?
A
Document the findings in the child's chart for future reference.
B
Confront the parents immediately about the suspected abuse.
C
Report the suspected child abuse to child protective services.
D
Advise the parents on parenting techniques to prevent future injuries.
✓ Correct Answer: Option C
Nurses are mandated reporters for suspected child abuse. Their primary responsibility is to ensure the child's safety by reporting concerns to the appropriate authorities, such as child protective services.
💡 Why is C) the correct answer?
The correct answer to the question "The nurse is assessing a 5-year-old child admitted for a minor injury. The nurse observes multiple cigarette burns on the child's arm and notes the child is unusually withdrawn. What is the nurse's primary ethical and legal responsibility?" is Option C: Report the suspected child abuse to child protective services..
The other options — A) Document the findings in the child's chart for future reference., B) Confront the parents immediately about the suspected abuse., D) Advise the parents on parenting techniques to prevent future injuries. — are incorrect for this NCLEX-RN Exam Prep question. As explained above: Nurses are mandated reporters for suspected child abuse. Their primary responsibility is to ensure the child's safety by reporting concerns to the appropriate authorities, such as child protective se…
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