You are working in a health care practitioner's office. A child is treated in the office for a stab wound to the arm. In your state, you would most likely be required to:

Question

a. keep this confidential unless the child gives permission to report, according to confidentiality laws
b. report this information to law enforcement, based on mandatory injury reporting laws
c. ask the parents to provide the circumstances surrounding the incident and chart it
d. remind the health care practitioner that the incident should be reported

Answer 1

B

Feedback
A Incorrect. Injury reporting laws allow under this circumstance another breach of confidentiality.
B Correct. The mandatory injury reporting laws allow breach of confidentiality, and the laws may require reporting of all injuries by weapon (knife, gun) or criminal act to law enforcement.
C Incorrect. Although this determination is part of the injury, the nurse is required by law to report the incident to the authorities and let them pursue this information.
D Incorrect. The law specifically requires anyone involved in the incident to be responsible to make the report to the authorities, not simply remind someone else to do it.