The emergency department (ED) nurse assesses a baby who presents with a retinal hemorrhage. The mother states, "She just wouldn't stop crying." Which does the nurse suspect based on this data?

Question

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Retinal hemorrhage in a baby, especially in the context of non-specific trauma or injury, is a classic sign of shaken baby syndrome. This condition occurs when a baby is violently shaken, causing brain injury and often retinal hemorrhage due to the delicate nature of the baby's brain and eye structures. The mother's vague explanation of the baby's persistent crying without a clear cause for the injury further supports this suspicion.

The Emergency Department (ED) Nurse Assesses a Baby Who Presents