The nurse assesses a pediatric client and finds bruises in various stages of healing on the back and legs. When questioned about the bruises the child begins to cry and states, "Somebody did things to me." Which of the following communications by the nurse is appropriate? Select all that apply.

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When speaking with a child about abuse, the nurse should be direct and honest. The nurse should allow the child to disclose the abuse at a comfortable pace, rather than probe for additional information. The nurse should use open-ended questions and avoid leading questions and statements. Guidelines for the interview: Speak with the child in private Be honest about reporting requirements Use language appropriate to the child's age Avoid making assumptions or communicating anger, shock, or disapproval Reassure the child about not being at fault or in trouble (Options D and E) (Option A) The nurse should not make assumptions about who abused the child. This could lead to bias or false accusations and/or cause the child to fear revealing the identity of the abuser. (Option B) "Tell me about what happened" is a correct, open-ended question; however, the nurse is required to report abuse and should communicate this requirement to the child. (Option C) The nurse should avoid making derogatory statements about the abuser, as this can cause the child feelings of embarrassment or fear and end the conversation. Educational objective: When interviewing a child about abuse, the nurse should affirm that the child is not at fault or in trouble and avoid making assumptions or communicating anger, shock, or disapproval. The nurse should be direct and honest about the requirement to report abuse.

The Nurse Assesses a Pediatric Client and Finds Bruises in Various