A pediatric nurse is caring for an 8-month-old client. While making rounds, the nurse enters the room and finds the infant's father violently shaking the infant. The father attempts to make it appear as though the infant was choking. Upon further assessment, the nurse notes bruised areas on the infant's arms and legs. What is a priority action for the nurse to take?
A)Discuss what the nurse witnessed with the infant's mother.
B)Discuss what the nurse witnessed with the other nurses.
C)Report what the nurse witnessed and assessed to the authorities.
D)Call security to remove the father from the room.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A)Because of mandatory reporting laws, nurses must report all suspected cases of child abuse to the appropriate authorities. It would not be appropriate at this time to discuss the findings with the infant's mother or with other nurses. The nurse should also not call security to remove the father from the room until after the abuse has been reported.
B)Because of mandatory reporting laws, nurses must report all suspected cases of child abuse to the appropriate authorities. It would not be appropriate at this time to discuss the findings with the infant's mother or with other nurses. The nurse should also not call security to remove the father from the room until after the abuse has been reported.
C)Because of mandatory reporting laws, nurses must report all suspected cases of child abuse to the appropriate authorities. It would not be appropriate at this time to discuss the findings with the infant's mother or with other nurses. The nurse should also not call security to remove the father from the room until after the abuse has been reported.
D)Because of mandatory reporting laws, nurses must report all suspected cases of child abuse to the appropriate authorities. It would not be appropriate at this time to discuss the findings with the infant's mother or with other nurses. The nurse should also not call security to remove the father from the room until after the abuse has been reported.

A Pediatric Nurse Is Caring for an 8-Month-Old Client