Child abuse and maltreatment
Child abuse and maltreatment is not limited to a particular age—it can occur in the infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age years. Choose one of the four age groups and outline the types of abuse most commonly seen among children of that age. Describe warning signs and physical and emotional assessment findings the nurse may see that could indicate child abuse. Discuss cultural variations of health practices that can be misidentified as child abuse. Describe the reporting mechanism in your state and nurse responsibilities related to the reporting of suspected child abuse. Identify two factors that increase the vulnerability of a child for abuse in the age group you have selected.
Sample Answer
Age Group: Preschool (ages 3-5)
Types of abuse most commonly seen:
- Physical abuse: hitting, slapping, kicking, biting, throwing
- Emotional abuse: name-calling, belittling, threatening, isolating, withholding love and support
- Sexual abuse: any sexual activity with a minor
Warning signs:
- Physical: unexplained bruises, burns, fractures, bite marks
- Emotional: withdrawn, anxious, fearful, aggressive behavior, changes in sleep or eating patterns
- Behavioral: problems at school, difficulty forming relationships, self-destructive behaviors