Child Abuse MCN Notes
Objective: To prevent child abuse and support victims and their families through coordinated, child-friendly services from report to resolution.
Define "child abuse".
Distinguish between accidental and abusive injuries.
Review commonly seen abusive injuries.
Discuss Abusive Head Trauma (AHT).
Outline appropriate inquiries when abuse is suspected.
Describe the role of nurses in reporting child abuse suspicions.
Intentional infliction of injury: Physical or mental harm intentionally caused to a child.
Acts resulting in potential harm: Engaging in behavior that could logically cause injury to a child.
Encouragement of harmful acts: Motivating or instigating behavior that may injure a child.
Negligence to protect: Displaying violent conduct that risks the child's safety.
Annual Reports: 4.1 million
Prevalence: 1 in 7 children face abuse.
Fatalities: Approximately 5 deaths/day.
Sexual Abuse: 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys abused before age 18.
Head Injuries: 80% of fatal head injuries in children under 2 are non-accidental.
Gender: 59% female, 41% male.
Relationship: 81% are parents of the victim.
Socioeconomic status
Gender and age of child
Caregiver mental health issues
Substance abuse (drugs/alcohol)
Domestic violence exposure
Chronic illness or premature birth of the child
History of parental abuse
History of animal cruelty.
Detailed history: May not align with the observed injuries.
Injury reports: Child claims injury from parent or caregiver.
Fear of going home: Expressed by the child.
Trauma involvement: Multiple injuries at various healing stages.
Medical attention: Delays in seeking care.
Inconsistent history: Changes over time in the child's explanation.
Bruising Patterns: Specific areas indicate potential abuse, such as:
Common Sites: Forehead, shins, elbows.
Questionable Sites: Neck, abdomen, buttocks, inner thighs.
Locations indicating abuse: More likely bruising on arms, thighs, back, and genitalia.
Bite Marks: Detectable semi-circular or oval shapes.
Fractures: Significant in children under three years; particularly skull and rib fractures.
Burns: 25% of physical abuse injuries; common scald burns from heated liquids.
Scald Burns: Characterized by well-defined margins; pattern and location are revealing.
Contact Burns: Caused by heated objects, often revealing patterns.
Refers to inflicted head injuries including shaking.
Leading cause of death from trauma: Most affected are children under two.
Characteristics: High infant head-to-body ratio, leading to severe effects when injured.
Involves adults or older minors engaging in sexual acts with minors unable to give consent.
Indicators include:
Child discloses abuse.
Genital injuries.
Evidence of STDs or pregnancy.
Inappropriate sexual behaviors reported by the child.
Failure to provide basic needs: clothing, nutrition, shelter, medical care, and supervision.
Most prevalent form of abuse: Accounts for significant child abuse deaths, especially in young children.
Medical Neglect: Including dental care omissions.
Dangerous situations: Leaving children unattended in cars or unsafe sleeping situations.
Patterns of damaging interactions resulting in feelings of worthlessness in the child.
Indicators include:
Lack of attachment or responsiveness.
Reports of ongoing emotional harm.
All individuals must report any known or suspected cases of abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
Florida Statute provides guidelines for reporting:
Report through 1-800-96-ABUSE or online.
Necessary information for reporting includes child details and nature of abuse suspicion.
Child maltreatment is frequently underreported.
Important to remember that abusive parents may appear "nice" or "appropriate".
Reporting suspicions based on reasonable concern is crucial; it does not imply direct accusations.
Open floor for any questions regarding recognizing and reporting child abuse.
Objective: To prevent child abuse and support victims and their families through coordinated, child-friendly services from report to resolution.
Define "child abuse".
Distinguish between accidental and abusive injuries.
Review commonly seen abusive injuries.
Discuss Abusive Head Trauma (AHT).
Outline appropriate inquiries when abuse is suspected.
Describe the role of nurses in reporting child abuse suspicions.
Intentional infliction of injury: Physical or mental harm intentionally caused to a child.
Acts resulting in potential harm: Engaging in behavior that could logically cause injury to a child.
Encouragement of harmful acts: Motivating or instigating behavior that may injure a child.
Negligence to protect: Displaying violent conduct that risks the child's safety.
Annual Reports: 4.1 million
Prevalence: 1 in 7 children face abuse.
Fatalities: Approximately 5 deaths/day.
Sexual Abuse: 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys abused before age 18.
Head Injuries: 80% of fatal head injuries in children under 2 are non-accidental.
Gender: 59% female, 41% male.
Relationship: 81% are parents of the victim.
Socioeconomic status
Gender and age of child
Caregiver mental health issues
Substance abuse (drugs/alcohol)
Domestic violence exposure
Chronic illness or premature birth of the child
History of parental abuse
History of animal cruelty.
Detailed history: May not align with the observed injuries.
Injury reports: Child claims injury from parent or caregiver.
Fear of going home: Expressed by the child.
Trauma involvement: Multiple injuries at various healing stages.
Medical attention: Delays in seeking care.
Inconsistent history: Changes over time in the child's explanation.
Bruising Patterns: Specific areas indicate potential abuse, such as:
Common Sites: Forehead, shins, elbows.
Questionable Sites: Neck, abdomen, buttocks, inner thighs.
Locations indicating abuse: More likely bruising on arms, thighs, back, and genitalia.
Bite Marks: Detectable semi-circular or oval shapes.
Fractures: Significant in children under three years; particularly skull and rib fractures.
Burns: 25% of physical abuse injuries; common scald burns from heated liquids.
Scald Burns: Characterized by well-defined margins; pattern and location are revealing.
Contact Burns: Caused by heated objects, often revealing patterns.
Refers to inflicted head injuries including shaking.
Leading cause of death from trauma: Most affected are children under two.
Characteristics: High infant head-to-body ratio, leading to severe effects when injured.
Involves adults or older minors engaging in sexual acts with minors unable to give consent.
Indicators include:
Child discloses abuse.
Genital injuries.
Evidence of STDs or pregnancy.
Inappropriate sexual behaviors reported by the child.
Failure to provide basic needs: clothing, nutrition, shelter, medical care, and supervision.
Most prevalent form of abuse: Accounts for significant child abuse deaths, especially in young children.
Medical Neglect: Including dental care omissions.
Dangerous situations: Leaving children unattended in cars or unsafe sleeping situations.
Patterns of damaging interactions resulting in feelings of worthlessness in the child.
Indicators include:
Lack of attachment or responsiveness.
Reports of ongoing emotional harm.
All individuals must report any known or suspected cases of abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
Florida Statute provides guidelines for reporting:
Report through 1-800-96-ABUSE or online.
Necessary information for reporting includes child details and nature of abuse suspicion.
Child maltreatment is frequently underreported.
Important to remember that abusive parents may appear "nice" or "appropriate".
Reporting suspicions based on reasonable concern is crucial; it does not imply direct accusations.
Open floor for any questions regarding recognizing and reporting child abuse.
