While making rounds,the nurse enters a room and finds an infant patient's father violently shaking the infant.The father makes it appear as though the infant was choking.Upon further assessment,the nurse notes bruised areas on the infant's arms and legs.What priority action should the nurse take?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse has a legal and ethical obligation to report suspected child abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities, in this case child protective services. It is important to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the infant, and reporting to law enforcement may also be necessary depending on the severity of the abuse. Discussing what was witnessed with others can compromise patient confidentiality and is not an appropriate action to take before reporting the suspected abuse to the appropriate authorities.

While Making Rounds,the Nurse Enters a Room and Finds an Infant