Question

7-year-old girl comes to school with a dark bruise on her right upper cheek. The OT asks the student how she got the bruise and the girl indicates that her dad hit her after she left her dinner plate on the table. The OT is following what ethical code by reporting this incident?

Answer 1

The OT is adhering to the mandated reporter ethical code by reporting the incident where a child indicated abuse by a parent, fulfilling their duty to protect children.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Occupational Therapist (OT) is following the ethical code of mandated reporting by reporting the incident of a 7-year-old girl coming to school with a bruise and indicating that her father hit her. Mandated reporters are professionals who, in the course of their work with children, are obligated by law to report suspicions of child abuse and neglect. It is part of a broader ethical and professional responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of children. The OT's actions are meant to protect the child from further harm and to initiate a process that can provide the child with the necessary support and intervention.