What is a nurse's legal responsibility if child abuse or neglect is suspected?

a. Discuss the findings with the child's parent and health care provider.
b. Document the observation and suspicion in the medical record.
c. Report the suspicion according to state regulations.
d. Continue the assessment.


ANS: C
Each state has specific regulations for reporting child abuse that must be observed. The nurse is a mandated reporter. The reporter does not need to be sure that abuse or neglect occurred, only that it is suspected. Speculation should not be documented, only the facts.

Nursing

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The nurse is working with a 15-year-old girl and her parents on a treatment plan for her diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The nurse should be sure to:

a. Encourage the parents to seek teachers for their daughter who are going to be lenient with assignment schedules because of her diagnosis. b. Remind the parents to determine ahead of time consequences/punishment that they will give their daughter when she is not listening to them and/or teachers. c. Teach the parents how to structure and enforce limits on their daughter's behavior that are appropriate to her condition. d. Inform the client and her parents that medications typically used for ADHD are very safe and have few side effects.

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A middle-aged female patient is found to have a decrease in her cortisol level. The nurse realizes that this finding is consistent with what health problem?

1. Addison disease 2. hyperthyroidism 3. Cushing syndrome 4. nothing

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A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia is very disturbed and violent. After several doses of haloperidol (Haldol), the patient is calm

Two hours later the nurse sees the patient's head rotated to one side in a stiff position, the lower jaw thrust forward, and drooling. Which problem is most likely? a. An acute dystonic reaction b. Tardive dyskinesia c. Waxy flexibility d. Akathisia

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Which of the following is true about health care services?

1. Clinics are usually found within walking distance from work. 2. Undocumented workers fear deportation when using clinics. 3. Health care records are kept by workers to allow for continuation of services. 4. Clinics are most often open on weekends and keep evening hours.

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