Child abuse affects people of all ages
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Grand Canyon University *
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440V
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Health Science
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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docx
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Uploaded by snowb4boys23
Child abuse affects people of all ages, races, genders and demographics. However, the
incidence of abuse is highest in children 0-3 years old. In FFY 2015, 52 states reported that more
than one-quarter (27.7%) of victims were younger than 3 years Three-quarters (74.8%) of all
child fatalities were younger than 3 years old (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
2017).This is for various reasons. They are developmentally at a stage where they put complete
trust into adults. So, they easily believe adults even when the adult is using manipulative
behavior to gain the toddlers trust. An abuser might also incorporate bullying and threatening
behavior, such as telling a toddler that if they tell anyone that they will never see mommy and
daddy again. they do not know how to differentiate appropriate from appropriate.
The most common form of abuse that this age group experiences is neglect. (U.S.
Department of Health & Human Services 2017)., the greatest percentages of children 0-3 years
old suffered from neglect (75.3%) and physical abuse (17.2%). (U.S. Department of Health &
Human Services 2017). Neglect is purposely placing the child’s well-being and health, at risk by
withhold the basic human necessities. This includes, not providing medical care, food clothing
supervision, shelter, not meeting of a child’s basic needs such as nutrition, medical care, shelter,
supervision, as a nurse must be easily able to identify signs of neglect. These signs include,
malnutrition, failure to thrive, lack of immunizations poor hygiene, diaper rash, children whom
have been left unsupervised. Extreme hunger, inappropriately dressed, behaviors of neglect
would include begging for food, withdrawn apathetic fearful speech problems, delayed
development.
Physical abuse is purposeful physical injury of a child. Physical abuse has objective
indicators. Bruising of different healing stages, red marks left behind from slapping or assaulting
by a fist or and inanimate object., burns, fractures and so on. Its important to keep in mind that
these signs of physical abuse may not always be visible. Therefore, a thorough assessment of
areas that are hidden by clothes shoes and diapers must be done. Behaviors that might signify
that the child is experiencing physical abuse would include, aggressiveness, fear and clingy to
people other than the parents, seizure.
There are many cultural health practices used by people of other cultures. Placing
petroleum jelly in the child’s eyes to aide in sleep. Coining means to rub a coin over rubbing a
coin into an afflicted area) can leave marks and skin abrasions that might be mistaken for
evidence of abuse. Cupping involves lowering a ceramic cup, turned upside down with a candle
underneath, down to the skin of the afflicted area of the body.
A suctioning effect results which
is believed to draw out aggravating substances.
A variation of this practice involves igniting
alcohol-soaked cotton which surrounds a piece of broken glass in a cup.
The cup is then turned
over onto the skin, perhaps leaving a burn and/or a puncture wound. (McIntyre & Silva, 1992).
A nurse should educate herself to common cultural health practices of diverse groups. This will
help to avoid misinterpretations of child abuse. Even when a health practice differs from belief of
their own it is import to respect diversity and avoid being judgmental. Culturally competent care
respects diversity.
A nurse is a mandated reporter and will be held responsible for failing to admit suspected
cases of child abuse. Reports are to be made right away to local law enforcement and by calling
Department of Children’s Services 24hour hotline or online at
http://ag.ca.gov/childabuse/pdf/ss_8572.pdf
.If reported by telephone, a written report shall be
sent, or an Internet report shall also be made through the confidential Internet reporting tool
within two working days.
Tom McIntyre & Patricia Silva (1992). Beyond Behavior, Volume 4, issue 1, pages 8-12.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children and Families,
Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children’s Bureau. (2017). Child
Maltreatment Available from
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/research-data-technology/statistics-research/child-
maltreatment.
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