What are the signs of potential child abuse that emergency nurses should look for?

The signs of potential child abuse that emergency nurses should be vigilant about include unexplained injuries, inconsistent stories from the child or guardians, and a marked behavior of fearfulness in the child.

Unexplained injuries may present in various forms, such as bruises, fractures, or burns, and their absence of a clear explanation or a plausible story raises suspicion. Inconsistent accounts can stem from the child struggling to articulate experiences of trauma or from caregivers who may offer conflicting explanations for injuries. Fearfulness might manifest as anxiety, withdrawal, or reluctance to engage with caregivers or even hospital staff, indicating heightened stress or apprehension regarding the circumstances leading to the emergency visit.

The other options may not necessarily indicate abuse or concern. Consistent accounts of injuries suggest that there is a coherent understanding of the situation, potentially ruling out the possibility of abuse. Frequent visits to the emergency department, while warranting attention, could be attributed to various non-abuse-related medical needs. High levels of excitement in a child typically do not correlate with signs of abuse and may instead represent a normal emotional response or temperament. Thus, the focus should be on signs that clearly indicate inconsistency and fear.