The school nurse is seeing a 7-year-old child in the clinic and is concerned with behaviors and physical indications that indicate the child is being sexually abused. Which is the priority action by the nurse?

The nurse must discuss the findings with the parents and give them the opportunity to explain.

Talk to the child and find out if they are experiencing sexual abuse or inappropriate touching.

The nurse should talk with another co-worker to be sure the nurse is correct about the assessment.

Accurately and thoroughly document the findings and report to the appropriate authorities.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

When a school nurse suspects that a child is being sexually abused, the priority action is to ensure the child's safety and well-being. Option D, accurately and thoroughly documenting the findings and reporting to the appropriate authorities, is the most critical step in protecting the child.

Child abuse, including sexual abuse, is a serious concern that requires immediate attention and intervention. In many jurisdictions, healthcare professionals, including school nurses, are mandated reporters, which means they are legally obligated to report suspected cases of child abuse to child protective services or other appropriate authorities.

Options A, B, and C are not appropriate as the child's safety is the top priority:

A. Discussing the findings with the parents and giving them the opportunity to explain could potentially place the child at further risk if the parents are involved in the abuse or are unwilling to address the situation.

B. Talking to the child and finding out if they are experiencing sexual abuse or inappropriate touching should not be the first step without involving child protective services or other appropriate authorities. The child may be frightened or reluctant to disclose abuse directly to the nurse, especially if the abuser is a family member or someone known to the child.

C. Talking with another co-worker to confirm the assessment may delay the necessary action and reporting to protect the child.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The potential issue that the nursing staff and hospital may have to defend against in this scenario is A. "malpractice."

Explanation: Malpractice refers to a legal claim that can be made against healthcare professionals, including nurses and hospitals, when they fail to provide the standard of care expected in their profession, resulting in harm or injury to a patient. In this case, the lack of documentation that the client was assessed every hour as prescribed can be seen as a failure to meet the standard of care for a client with depression, especially one at risk for self-harm or suicide. If the client attempted suicide in the bathroom and sustained an injury, it could be argued that the lack of proper assessment and monitoring contributed to the client's harm, and this failure to provide appropriate care might be considered malpractice.

The other options, "battery," "false imprisonment," and "assault," do not directly relate to the situation described in the scenario:

B- Battery refers to the intentional harmful or offensive contact with a person without their consent. There is no indication that this occurred in the scenario.

C- False imprisonment refers to the unlawful restraint or restriction of a person's freedom of movement without proper justification. There is no indication of false imprisonment in the scenario.

D- Assault refers to the intentional act of threatening or causing fear of harm to another person. While the client did sustain an injury, there is no indication that it was due to an intentional act of assault in this scenario.

In summary, the potential issue of malpractice arises from the failure to properly assess and monitor a client at risk for self-harm, resulting in harm to the client. The nursing staff and hospital may have to defend against this claim if it is determined that they did not meet the standard of care expected in such a situation.

A. The nurse informs the client that the behavior will not be tolerated and will be addressed by the psychiatrist. B. The nurse throws the medication in the trash and documents the client refuses the medication. C. The nurse pushes the client, and the client falls to the floor and sustains a nosebleed. D. The nurse goes to the client's room and applies restraints, then forces the medication in the client's mouth.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Falsely imprisoning a client involves restricting their freedom and movement against their will without proper legal authority or justification. Option D demonstrates false imprisonment because the nurse applies restraints to restrict the client's movement and then forces the medication into the client's mouth, essentially depriving the client of their right to refuse treatment.

Options A, B, and C are not examples of false imprisonment:

A. The nurse informing the client that the behavior will not be tolerated and will be addressed by the psychiatrist is a response to the client's inappropriate behavior. It does not involve restricting the client's freedom or movement.

B. The nurse throwing the medication in the trash and documenting the client's refusal is an appropriate response to the client's refusal of medication. It respects the client's right to refuse treatment.

C. The nurse pushing the client and causing them to fall to the floor, resulting in a nosebleed, is an example of physical assault and battery, not false imprisonment. It is an inappropriate and harmful action by the nurse.

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The school nurse is seeing a 7-year-old child in the clinic and is concerned with behaviors and physical indications that indicate the child is being sexually abused. Which is the priority action by the nurse?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client with depression is found to have attempted suicide in the bathroom and sustained injury. There is no documentation that the client was assessed every hour as prescribed. Which issue will the nursing staff and hospital potentially have to defend against?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A client is informed by the nurse that they must take their medication, and the client kicks the nurse and runs to their room. Which action by the nurse demonstrates that the nurse falsely imprisons the client?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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