Analysis of Registered Nurse's Role in Mandatory Reporting and Consent

This essay delves into the crucial role of Registered Nurses (RNs) in the context of mandatory reporting and consent, particularly concerning children and young people. Using a specific scenario involving a six-year-old, Christian Russo, the essay analyzes the RN's responsibilities in identifying potential child abuse, specifically focusing on substance abuse and its symptoms. It emphasizes the importance of evidence-based practice, adherence to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) standards, and relevant legislation, including the Australian Human Rights Commission guidelines. The essay highlights the need for ethical decision-making, especially when dealing with minors who may not be able to provide consent, and underscores the importance of collaboration with parents or guardians. It also examines the RN's role in advocating for the child's rights and ensuring the quality of care, including witnessing consent forms and contributing to quality improvement. The essay concludes by reinforcing the significance of critical thinking and therapeutic relationships in the process of mandatory reporting, providing a comprehensive overview of the RN's multifaceted role in safeguarding children's well-being.

Running head: Role of registered nurse in mandatory reporting
Role of registered nurses in mandatory reporting
Name of the student:
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Authors note:

1ROLE OF REGISTERED NURSES IN MANDATORY REPORTING
The practice of registered nurse is evidence and practice based which provides
curative and preventive care by comprehensively conducting assessments (Ellis, 2019).
Mandatory reporting is legal obligation that reports suspected cases of infants or child abuse.
It is the duty of registered nurse to protect the needs of child in such case. The given scenario
is based on a six year old and the need for relevant legislation in the given case. Substance
abuse has been suspected in the case study and there is a need of the registered nurse to notify
the issue to the department who would look after the issue.
It is mandatory for the nurses to take necessary action if they feel there is a need of
reporting in case of child abuse. They are trained to understand such signs of illness. In case
of abuse, nurses are required to approach the child protection act who can ensure that the
cases are investigated (Ioannou & Serafeim, 2017). The nurses while notifying the concerned
organization must give all the details of the child like family details, medical history and
alleged abuse faced by the patient. The details must be given to the police and jurisdiction so
that they can make necessary regulations.in the given case study the child is facing abuse
from substance that may be due to poisoning in his food which he ate in the party. In case of
the minors, it is important for the parents to accompany and take all the necessary steps after
consulting with them but here his parents was not present and his grandfather accompanied
him. The symptoms of the child has enough reasonable grounds for mandatory reporting. On
observation, it was seen that the child had difficulty in talking and formed half sentences.
Other physiological parameters like expiratory wheeze and increased breathing rate showed
possible reason for abuse. Abuse of asthma in the form of inhaler is often reported in children
and results in sympathetic circulation. The fluorocarbon propellants brings in effect of
intoxication and mild stimulation. As per many studies, salbutamol infused inhalers brings in
mood maniacs and hyperactivity among many. The child was hospitalised after consuming
peanuts present in cake. The peanuts have some adverse effects like shortness in breathing or

2ROLE OF REGISTERED NURSES IN MANDATORY REPORTING
wheezing that is similar to the symptoms found in the boy (Lines, Hutton & Grant, 2017). In
such scenario, it is the responsibility of Registered nurses to analyse the symptoms presented
by the boy and use evidence based practice for safe practice.
The care plan must reflect on experience and beliefs to shape the care plan. The
registered nurse uses the data of assessment to construct nursing practice plan. They must
ensure that the nursing plan is in accordance with legislations and norms. The registered
nurses are responsible to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and their
practise must be in accordance to their legislations. In this scenario, the registered nurse must
closely analyse the condition of the child and use ethical framework to make decisions. The
symptoms presented by the boy is similar to a possible abuse and must be notified. According
to Australian Human Rights Commission, it is the basic right of the children to be treated
fairly and have an opinion for decision affecting you. Children are often not capable of
making their own decision so in that case guardians or parents can take decision thinking of
their good. The role of registered nurse can be further collaborated by using relevant nursing
standard for practice (Mathews, Lee & Norman, 2016). One of the standard states that
nursing function must be in accordance with laws and common practice as implemented by
the state government and are required to critically think and analyse the nursing practice. In
case of decision making during administration in children it is advised that consent is taken
by parents. Young children have no significant skills in such decision therefore, parents’
consent is important. In case of the six year old boy his parents were not present and his
grandfather accompanied him and he can be considered for decision making with parenteral
responsibility if the doctor permits. Supposedly if the child is capable in making decision
then his or her decision must be considered in diagnostic procedure.
Mandatory reporting ensures that proper norms are practised and charges penalty for
those who are in fault. In mandatory reporting, certain features are also considered like family

3ROLE OF REGISTERED NURSES IN MANDATORY REPORTING
violence or economic abuse. According to the standards of registered nurses they must
contribute to the quality improvement. Nurses are required to advocate for the child’s rights
and advocate the parents. Nurses deal with the details and information of consent details of
the patient and typically witness the written consent for health care. Therefore, it is the
responsibility of the nurses to assess the situation and based on their belief they witness the
consent form. This kind of informed consent assures the patients autonomy. With the
knowledge of relevant standards and regulations, the registered nurses are required to
supervise and bring the best quality of practise in the nursing care.
The essay throws light on the importance of mandatory reporting and the role of
registered nurse in it. Mandatory reporting is the legal requirement, which identifies the child
abuse and carries with a penalty. It is the responsibility of the registered nurses to address the
issue by understanding the symptoms presented by the child (Norful et al, 2018). There are
seven practise of nursing standards through which registered nurses are needed to practise.
The seven nursing practise follows the guidelines of NMBA and provides supervision for
decision making tools in nursing. In case of children like Christian who is a 6 years old have
no capability to give consent so therefore the guardian’s consent is necessary in this context.
Registered nurses are required to make decision based on the symptoms shown by the boy
and their belief. Therefore it can be concluded that with critical thinking and engaging in
therapeutic relationship the registered nurses can make the process of mandatory reporting
efficient.

4ROLE OF REGISTERED NURSES IN MANDATORY REPORTING
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South Australian Legislation. (2019), from https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/C/A/CONSENT
%20TO%20MEDICAL%20TREATMENT%20AND%20PALLIATIVE%20CARE%20ACT
%201995.aspx
The Big Banter - resources | Australian Human Rights Commission. (2019), from
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/big-banter-resources