In Caring for a 6-Year-Old Who Entered the Emergency Center

In caring for a 6-year-old who entered the emergency center for treatment of a broken arm, the nurse noted that the child had multiple bruises on his trunk and legs. When ed, the child said his father hit him and broke his arm so that the child would remember to be good. What should the nurse do?

A) Chart that the child is a victim of child abuse, so that there is a record of the abuse should such behavior reoccur.
B) Report the incident immediately to the nursing supervisor or physician so that the incident will be reported to the proper authorities.
C) Do nothing, because the nurse cannot prove the child was really abused, and saying anything could open the institution to a possible defamation lawsuit.
D) Downplay the child's comments, because children often exaggerate.