Question

A child is brought to the emergency room with a broken arm. Because of other injuries, the nurse suspects the child may be a victim of abuse. When the nurse tries to give the child an injection, the child's mother becomes very loud and shouts, "I won't leave my son! Don't you touch him! You'll hurt my child!" What is the best interpretation of the mother's statements? The mother is

Answer 1

The mother's loud and defensive reaction to a nurse giving her child an injection could indicate resistant attachment, overprotectiveness due to past traumatic experiences, or behaviors related to guilt and fear in the context of suspected child abuse. The reaction requires careful assessment by a healthcare professional.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best interpretation of the mother's statements, when she becomes alarmed at the nurse's attempt to give her child an injection, could potentially be indicative of resistant attachment or parental concern stemming from perceived threats to her child's wellbeing. It could also suggest defensiveness that might be associated with guilt or fear in the context of suspected child abuse. These behaviors can be consistent with a parent who is either overly protective, possibly due to past experiences with healthcare, or who may be trying to hide something, such as an abusive situation. The mother's reaction can stem from a range of motivations and would need to be evaluated in conjunction with other evidence and behavior patterns, ideally by a healthcare professional trained in recognizing signs of abuse. This situation warrants careful consideration and potentially the involvement of child protective services to ensure the child's safety.