Exam Preview

Pennsylvania Act 31 of 2014: Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Training

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1.  You are called to the pediatrics unit to assess a one year old admitted with first degree burns on the soles of his feet. The parents and their siblings are present, and they repeatedly state how much the family loves their little guy, but they were just putting him in a bathtub that was too hot. Your assessment results indicate some impairment or developmental delay. What should you do? Nothing, they talk like a loving family and it must have been an accident. Nothing, assume that hospital social services is on top of the case. Check with hospital staff to see if ChildLine has been contacted, and if so go online to add your observations. Confirm with the hospital that a ChildLine report was made. If you believe you have additional information, call ChildLine to create a supplemental report.

2.  A two year old female is brought to your private practice by her mom, who holds a full time job but your sense is that she is a working poor individual. Your assessment indicates that developmental milestones are being reached at a one year age equivalence. The mother's affect and interaction with her child are positive and engaging, but she tells you that the only babysitter she could find puts her child in a playpen for the nine hours when mom is away, and doesn't interact much with her daughter except to make sure that she is fed and changed. What should you do? Nothing, the mother now seems to have a handle on things and she is seeking early intervention services Call ChildLine, the case worker can determine the possible need for general protective vs. child protective services As a mandated reporter, go to the Child Welfare Portal and initiate a report of abuse Make a referral for general protective services

3.  After an otherwise normal otolaryngological examination of this young adolescent who has been mute for the past two weeks, the physician refers her to you for assessment of aspects of the case relevant to your practice. You learn a little more about the situation from the parents, both appropriately concerned during your intake interview, that she stopped talking when she learned that she had to testify in court (reason unspecified) two weeks from now. What should you do? Nothing, it is likely that the daughter will no longer be mute after her court appearance Ask the parents if there is concern for the daughter's safety, and call law enforcement if there is potential danger Call law enforcement, no matter what As a mandated reporter, go to the Child Welfare Portal and initiate a report of abuse or neglect

4.  A seven year old boy is under your routine care. You have noted that he is less responsive on certain days and that he also seems sleepy. He mutters about his parents yelling a lot last night, and he couldn't finish his homework let alone follow the recommendations you made in his care plan. What should you do? Nothing, parents do argue at times Check with the child's teachers to see if they see the same patterns before making a report. Call ChildLine to allow the caseworker to determine if there is need for general vs. child protective services As a mandated reporter, go to the Child Welfare Portal and initiate a report of abuse

5.  The mother of a four year old preschool girl has come to you seeking services because of a significant developmental delay, and you observe that the daughter is significantly underweight. During the case history interview, the mom (with a caring and positive affect) tells you that from the time her 4-year-old daughter was an infant through the present she has given her coffee in a bottle first thing in the morning. The girl is 2-3 years delayed regarding developmental milestones. What should you do? Nothing, the mother is now seeking appropriate intervention services Call ChildLine, the case worker can determine the possible need for general protective vs. child protective services Refer the mother to a nutritionist Make a referral for general protective services such as parenting classes

6.  This mother has come with her five year old daughter because she is not performing at age level with respect to developmental milestones. During the intake you learn that the girl had been developing normally, but regressed when her father was released from being incarcerated and that he had locked them in the basement for periods of time during the past month, sometimes allowing them food. She says that he intimidates them with firearms, but he was away when they caught the bus to come see you. What should you do? Nothing, the mother is now seeking appropriate intervention services Call ChildLine, the case worker can determine the possible need for general protective vs. child protective services As a mandated reporter, go to the Child Welfare Portal and initiate a report of abuse Call law enforcement as the child's safety may be at risk, and initiate a report of abuse

7.  While taking the case history on an 11 year old girl, you realize that no previous medical records have come to you, despite appropriate release forms being sent to the mother and plenty of time for them to have been sent. They have seen a variety of healthcare professionals from a variety of disciplines, and the girl has received special services in the schools and a number of healthcare treatments, but you measure no impairment or disability, despite the mom's insistence that her daughter's life participation is significantly affected by the reported behaviors. What is the most appropriate course of action? Nothing, this is the mother's problem and she should be referred for mental health services You only need to call ChildLine, the case worker can determine the possible need for general protective vs. child protective services, as this is a clear cut case of neglect As a mandated reporter, go to the Child Welfare Portal and initiate a report of abuse Call law enforcement, this child is clearly in immediate danger

8.  You are a volunteer for an organization serving children. You notice that another volunteer has taken a particular child under his wing, tends to isolate the child from other children and adults in the group, and is somewhat vague about what they do when they are on their own together. You worry that the volunteer is possibly grooming a child though you don't know that the adult has initiated anything like sexual contact. When you are able to try to talk with the child he gets very quiet, and says that the volunteer has said that what they share is just between them. What is the most appropriate course of action? Because you are not sure, wait until you can get more information before acting Confront the volunteer As a mandated reporter, go to the Child Welfare Portal and initiate a report of abuse Call law enforcement, this child is clearly in immediate danger

9.  A foster child is receiving services from you. The foster mother comes in with four other foster children during the appointment time. She is sharp in verbal tone with all of them in the waiting area, but when she took the several other foster children to the restroom she was yelling at them and they emerged in tears or with frightened expressions. What should you do? Nothing, this just the way the foster mother disciplines this large number of children Call ChildLine, the case worker can determine the possible need for general protective vs. child protective services, as the foster mother may need to improve her parenting skills As a mandated reporter, go to the Child Welfare Portal and initiate a report of abuse Call law enforcement, these children are clearly in danger

10.  In the situation in question 9, what should you do if you didn't hear but another parent told you what he heard? Nothing, you did not observe the foster parent's behavior or the children's reaction It depends, in this situation you are a permissive reporter Call ChildLine, the case worker can take a report and make the appropriate referral for investigation As a mandated reporter, go to the Child Welfare Portal and initiate a report of abuse