Analyzing Child Abuse: Emma's Case and Nurse Responsibilities

This report focuses on the case of Emma, a 3-month-old girl suspected of being abused, and examines the potential impact of abuse on child development and well-being. It highlights the medical and physiological, cognitive and intellectual, and behavioral and mental consequences of abuse, including disability and death. The report identifies factors suggesting abuse in Emma's case, such as bruises and vague responses from the mother, emphasizing the crucial role of nurses in identifying and addressing abuse. The professional responsibilities of nurses are outlined, including building trust, providing physical care, offering emotional support to the family, responding to and reporting abuse to the authorities. The report concludes that child abuse cases are challenging and require effective handling, with nurses playing a vital role in providing care and ensuring the child's safety. The report references various sources including books and journals, and online resources to support the findings. The report emphasizes the importance of careful assessment, reporting of suspected abuse, and providing holistic care to the child and support to the family.

Child and Adolescent Health

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK...............................................................................................................................................1
The potential impact of abuse on development as well as well-being of infant.....................1
Factors in Emma case that states she has been abused...........................................................2
My professional responsibilities in case of suspected abuse..................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERNCES ..................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Child and adolescent health is a major concern for the government and authorities in
Australia. The Medicare department is enacting various laws which will standardise the services
to tackle cases of child abuse (Edelman, Mandle and Kudzma, 2013). Nurses are the one who
play a major role in identifying issues related to abuse. They are also responsible for providing
qualitative care services to patients for curing their diseases. . This report is based on the case of
Emma who is a 3-months-old girl. She is not well and has several bruises on her body which
states about a possible abuse. Also, the response of her mother Jamie is vague which increases
doubts. In this report, it will be stated as how abuses impact growth and well-being of child,
There are certain signs which are required to identify abuse. All these are the responsibilities of a
person associated with this sector.
TASK
The potential impact of abuse on development as well as well-being of infant
The cases of abuses are very different from one another and they have impact on
individual on different levels. For an adult it might affect his mental stability but in case of an
infant it can lead to disability or even death. In the case of Emma a 3-months-old girl, there are
signs of abuse which has led to a critical health condition. This type of acts can cause severe
implication on the physical and mental condition of a child (Kendall, 2011). This is the reason
because of which child abuse is considered to be a major problem in Australia and that is why
government has enacted an authority which overlooks at the condition of every child that takes
birth in the country. There is potential impact of abuses on the welfare and development of child
which are listed below:
These are the impacts which are identified by US research foundation which is currently
being used by US government and Australian government: [Source: CFCA Resource Sheet.
2014].
 Medical and Physiological Consequences: In case of abuse there is possibility that a child
brain or vital organ is affected. Today there are many examples where a kid was disabled
as a important organ was damaged. This affect child present and future in a major way as
he will not be able to do things which are normally done by kids of his age. It is
1

important to ensure that child is never struck on the head or abdomen as these are very
crucial parts that can have severe impact on his growth and welfare.
 Cognitive and Intellectual Consequences: In case of any physical abuse, the possibility of
damage to vital organ is very high. This might impact a child mental stability and growth.
On the body of Emma, some of the signs state that she has been physically abused and by
the response received from mother it makes doubts strong. There is need of full check up
to check functioning of vital organs.
 Behavioural and mental: A child who is abused tends to develop behavioural issues that
leads to isolation in later age (Kieling and et.al., 2011). Feeling of being neglected or
abused has to be properly managed as this might make situation worse if not cured.
 Disability and death: Emma had a seizure which is sign of disturbance in functioning of
some vital organ. It can even lead to disability or in worst case scenario, death of child.
These are the potential impact that can be there on the child well-being and growth if he
faces abuses. In case of Emma, doctors have to check all the signs and interrogate her mother for
possible reasons which caused those bruises to child.
Factors in Emma case that states she has been abused
It is very essential to understand various factors that describes about possible abuse to the
child. In case of Emma there are signs or bruises on the abdomen part of body for which her
mother said that she fell from sofa. The response was vague and raises the level of doubt on
situation. The nurses play a very vital part in identifying factors and reasons behind the signs of
abuses. They also assist the victim in recovering and getting better.
The cases of child abuse are the most difficult to handle by nurses in medical sector. The
nurses face a lot of emotional issues in these cases. They are considered to be hard because a
child can not state about problem that he or she is facing in any verbal or understandable manner
(Koot, 2014). It is very difficult to identify probable causes behind bruises as child can not tell
the whole story. Also it is an emotional issue for nurses as it is very hard to see a child suffer.
There are certain ways in which nurses can assist in finding out abuse and act against it:
 Careful assessment (Factors): The nurses have to be very careful while assessing a child
as he/she is sensitive. In case of Emma, she needs to be assessed in an effective manner.
All the vital parts have to be checked, such as, bruising in the chest and abdomen,
multiple injuries, minor lacerations, patterns of injury, etc. These signs need to be
2

analysed for making sure that child is fine and if he/she is not well then there is
requirement of treatment. Emma has signs of bruises on her abdomen which indicate
abuse. The condition of child is not stable and hence she has been shifted to intensive
care unit where she is kept under constant observation. [Source: About child protection.
2017].
As mentioned above there are many factors which states about possible abuse Emma had
in recent days which led to this critical situation. The doctors and nurses have to ensure that child
is treated properly. While her family is asked about the probable reason that caused bruises
(Oddy and et.al., 2010). It is very essential to ensure that child recovers and is put into care home
till the time real problem is identified.
My professional responsibilities in case of suspected abuse
There are certain responsibilities need to be fulfilled by me as a nurse. This situation is
very complicated as Emma mother is not telling whole situation. The signs on her body is stating
about potential abuse. My own responsibilities in this case as a nurse are as follows: [Source:
Stephen Lazoritz, MD, CPE. 2010]
 Building trust: The nurse has to build trust with the child and ensure that she is
comfortable with her. There is need of helping the child in recovering and getting well.
 Physical care: As a nurse, it is my responsibility to provide a good environment and care
to child. This is very critical case and there is no scope of any loose act. This is the reason
a proper care plan is being prepared so that medications and treatment can be provided in
accordance to it.
 Emotional support to family: In these cases, mother usually try to hide issues that can
open things regarding their private life. So, I will support her and will try to know the
reasons behind critical condition of child. I will will be listening and responding to her
issues and queries, in a appropriate manner (Oddy, W.H., and et.al., 2010). I will ensure
that the mother feels comfortable As this will make her to speak the real reason behind
the bruises on Emma body. There is a whole process which will be followed to provide
support her and get information regarding child condition. It is stated below:
◦ Listening
◦ Communicating beliefs
◦ Confirming the decision to disclose
3

◦ Emphasising that abuse is wrong
 Responding and reporting abuse: Nurse role is not just limited to medical realm, she has
access to the legal world too. They are mandated to report any child abuse to authorities
with acknowledge reports and statements. The nurse is stated to be a mandated reporter
of any child abuse case.. In case of Emma, the nurse has identified that she has been
abused and all the complications that are there are due to the maltreatment (Wong,
Zimmerman and Parker, 2010). At this point of time, nurse has to write down a brief
report to the child and social care council as to aware them about the case. It is one of the
biggest responsibilities that a nurse has to fulfil . I am responsible in the case of Emma
and I will be responding as well as report the whole case to the authorities who will look
into the matter of possible child abuse.
A nurse has to provide qualitative care as well as legal aid to the child after identifying
any signs of abuse.
CONCLUSION
Concluding this report, it can be said that the child abuse incidents are one of the most
challenging cases and they needs to be handled in a very effective manner. In case of Emma a 3
month old girl child, there are multiple bruises on her abdomen which are considered to be a sign
of abuse. She is not responding to any treatment given to her that means she has suffered severe
damage to her head and body.. The child is currently under observation and doctors are trying to
cure her. The nurses are responsible for providing good care to child and also report the matter
to authorities as to protect her.
4

REFERNCES
Books and Journal
Edelman, C.L., Mandle, C.L. and Kudzma, E.C., 2013. Health Promotion Throughout the Life
Span-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Kendall, P.C. ed., 2011. Child and adolescent therapy: Cognitive-behavioral procedures.
Guilford Press.
Kieling, C., and et.al., 2011. Child and adolescent mental health worldwide: evidence for action.
The Lancet, 378(9801), pp.1515-1525.
Koot, H., 2014. Quality of life in child and adolescent illness: Concepts, methods and findings.
Routledge.
Oddy, W.H., and et.al., 2010. The long-term effects of breastfeeding on child and adolescent
mental health: a pregnancy cohort study followed for 14 years. The Journal of
pediatrics, 156(4), pp.568-574.
Wong, N.T., Zimmerman, M.A. and Parker, E.A., 2010. A typology of youth participation and
empowerment for child and adolescent health promotion. American Journal of
Community Psychology, 46(1-2), pp.100-114.
Online
CFCA Resource Sheet. 2014. Effects of child abuse and neglect for children and adolescents.
[Online]. Available through:<https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/effects-child-abuse-
and-neglect-children-and-adolescents>. [Accessed on 19th August 2017].
Stephen Lazoritz, MD, CPE. 2010. What every nurse needs to know about the clinical aspects of
child abuse. [Online]. Available through:<https://www.americannursetoday.com/what-
every-nurse-needs-to-know-about-the-clinical-aspects-of-child-abuse/>. [Accessed on
19th August 2017].
Training and education. 2017. [Online]. Available
through:<http://www.rch.org.au/vfpms/training/>. [Accessed on 19th August 2017].
About child protection. 2017. [Online]. Available
through:<https://www.communities.qld.gov.au/childsafety/protecting-children/about-
child-protection>. [Accesed on 19th August 2017].
5