A 2-year-old Asian American boy is being seen for an office visit.While examining the child, the nurse notices round bruises on his back.The mother does not volunteer any information during the exam.Which of the following actions should the nurse take after examining the child?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Many injuries are difficult to differentiate from accidental injuries or culturally appropriate healing practices.Abusive parents are often hesitant to provide information, may be evasive, and may not exhibit feelings of guilt.However, these signs may also be present in nonabusive families.Therefore, signs consistent with abusive parents (in this case the bruises) should serve as a cue for further assessment.Therefore, in this case the nurse should first ask the mother about the bruises.After listening to the mother's explanation, the nurse still suspects child abuse than he or she is required by law to report the case to local child protective services.Finally, the nurse who is aware of cultural differences knows that coining, which can result in bruising, is a common practice in Asian cultures.

A 2-Year-Old Asian American Boy Is Being Seen for an Office