Question

When measuring the vital signs of a 10-year-old child, a medical assistant recognizes indications of abuse. Which of the following actions should the assistant take?

1) Report the abuse to the appropriate authorities
2) Confront the child's parents or guardians about the abuse
3) Ignore the indications and continue with the vital sign measurements
4) Document the observations and discuss them with a supervisor or healthcare provider

Answer 1

A medical assistant should document the signs of abuse, discuss with a supervisor or healthcare provider, and report the suspected abuse to the appropriate authorities. It is crucial not to confront the child's guardians and to follow mandated reporting procedures to ensure the child's safety.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a medical assistant identifies signs of potential abuse in a 10-year-old child, their responsibilities to protect the well-being of the child are clear and legally mandated in many places. The most immediate and appropriate actions to take include:

1. Documenting the observations meticulously, ensuring all apparent signs of abuse are recorded.
2. Discussing these observations with a supervisor or healthcare provider to verify the findings and determine the next steps.
3. Reporting the suspected abuse to the appropriate authorities as soon as possible, as mandated reporters are required to do.

It is important not to confront the child's parents or guardians about the abuse, as this could jeopardize the safety of the child or the quality of an investigation. Medical professionals have a legal and ethical obligation to report suspected child abuse to protect the child and ensure they receive the help they need.