Question

A 6-year-old boy is rushed to the emergency department by a neighbor who found him wandering in the street wearing only a dirty undershirt, seemingly dazed. He is covered in what appear to be cigarette burns, is cachectic, and has bruises on his wrists and ankles. He appears fearful and confused and does not respond to questioning except to say "I hurt. I don't feel good."

1. What is your first priority?

2. What would you include in your documentation and on the body map?

3. What else could you do to document his injuries besides note them on the body map?

4. Who else would you need to involve or notify in this case?

Answer 1

1.The priority care for the child are

• Provide first aide by treating bruises,burns after a primary survey of the child which are life threatening
• Treat the child in accordance to any secondary survey which can threaten life
• Develop a relationship to make the child feel secured and comfortable
• Do a Mental Status Examination
• Provide food if the child is able to take orally
• Administer IV fluids as orvthe need

2.The child's General examination and procedure to be documented,.The body map should describe about the bruises and burns

3.The injury seems to be a result of child abuse by an elder .A SOAP (subjective, objective,assessment, plan ) can be used to document the musculoskeletal injuries

4.The corps has to be informed as it is a legal case where there are no parents and the child is injured.This can help to rule out the actual cause and rectify if possible.