The pediatric nurse is caring for a 15-month-old child recently admitted to the hospital for a fractured femur. Which of the following data obtained during the assessment would raise the nurse's suspicion that the child has suffered physical abuse?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Warning signs of abused/neglected children include serious injuries such as fractures, burns, or lacerations with no reported history of trauma; delay in seeking treatment for a significant injury; the child or a parent giving a history inconsistent with severity of injury; inconsistencies or changes in the child's history during the evaluation by either the child or the adult; unusual injuries for the child's age and level of development, such as a fractured femur in a 2-month-old or a dislocated shoulder in a 2-year-old; high incidence of urinary tract infections; bruised, red, or swollen genitalia; tears or bruising of the rectum or vagina; and evidence of old injuries not reported, such as scars, fractures not treated, and multiple bruises that the parent/caregiver cannot explain adequately.

The Pediatric Nurse Is Caring for a 15-Month-Old Child Recently