Question

Physical examination of a 6 year old reveals several bite marks in various locations on his body. X-ray examination reveals healed fractures of the ribs. The mother tells the nurse that her child is always having accidents. Which initial response by the nurse would be most appropriate?

Answer 1

The nurse should be concerned about potential child abuse, report the findings, document the injuries, and seek additional medical evaluation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate initial response by the nurse when a physical examination reveals several bite marks and healed fractures on a 6-year-old child would be to be concerned about child abuse and neglect. In situations like these, nurses are mandated reporters and must report these signs to child protective services for further investigation. Given the mother's report that her child is 'always having accidents,' the nurse should also thoroughly document the injuries, maintain a nonjudgmental demeanor to ensure the child's safety, and seek additional medical history and examination to rule out any underlying medical conditions that might cause easy bruising or bone fractures.