A nurse is obtaining a health history from an adolescent who they suspect is experiencing physical maltreatment. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Rationale:

A. Increased hemoglobin: Elevated hemoglobin levels are generally associated with dehydration, high altitude, or chronic hypoxia, but they are not specific indicators of infection. Hemoglobin does not provide direct evidence of a bacterial process.

B. Increased absolute neutrophils: Neutrophils are the primary white blood cells involved in fighting bacterial infections. An elevated absolute neutrophil count suggests an acute bacterial infection or an inflammatory response caused by bacterial pathogens.

C. Decreased C-reactive protein: CRP is a marker of inflammation, often elevated during bacterial infections. A decreased CRP level makes bacterial infection less likely and is not consistent with the inflammatory response usually seen in such cases.

D. Decreased platelets: Low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) can result from viral infections, autoimmune diseases, or bone marrow disorders. While they may be altered in sepsis, they are not a reliable or primary marker of a typical bacterial infection.

Rationale:

A. Make an audio recording of the adolescent's responses: Audio recordings require consent and may not be legally or ethically appropriate in suspected abuse cases. Documentation should be written, factual, and follow institutional policies and mandatory reporting laws.

B. Promise not to disclose information shared during the interview: Nurses must never promise confidentiality in suspected abuse cases, as they are mandated reporters. All disclosures of abuse must be reported to child protective services or appropriate authorities.

C. Obtain a history from both the adolescent and their caregiver: Gathering information from both parties helps identify inconsistencies and assess the situation fully. However, this should be done separately to allow the adolescent to speak freely and without coercion.

D. Use leading questions during the interview: Leading questions can influence the adolescent’s responses and compromise the integrity of the assessment. Open-ended, nonjudgmental questions are essential to support accurate and unbiased information gathering.