Child Abuse Maltreatment Limited an Age Occur Essay

Child abuse maltreatment limited an age occur infant, toddler, preschool, school-age years. Choose age groups (infant, toddler, preschool, school age) discuss types abuse age. Discuss warning signs physical emotional assessment findings nurse child abuse.

Reporting suspected child abuse: The nurses' dilemma

Accusing a parent or other relative of child abuse is a serious allegation, and nurses are understandably often reluctant to take such a step. Common signs of child abuse in school-age children include (but are not limited to): "bruises, fractures or burns that are not adequately explained" (such as cigarette burns); sexually explicit comments by the child that are not age-appropriate; unexplained genital or rectal injuries; sexually-transmitted diseases; abnormal behavior or behavioral changes; reported nightmares; simulation of sexual acts by him or herself or with peers; psychosomatic headaches and stomachaches; withdrawal from peers; depression; low self-esteem; "indiscriminate affection toward all adults;" signs of neglect; inadequately dress; being unclean; "poor school attendance;" and a "lack of standard pediatric care" (Klass 1989).

"All fifty states, as well as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, have passed some type of mandatory child abuse reporting statute" for physicians as "a requirement in order for states to receive federal grants under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act" and nurses are often covered by this statute as well (Albrandt 2002).However, not all cases of suspected child abuse are black and white. Does spanking constitute child abuse? Most would say that it is still culturally accepted as a practice to some degree -- but how much and how frequently? To what extent is poverty a form of 'neglect' or abuse, based upon the parents' ability to care for the child? "Parenting may be especially difficult for low-income parents who struggle to rear children under stressful conditions" and parents may react in inappropriate ways to that stress (Medora, Wilson & Larson 2001). Drawing the line between what constitutes abuse and a 'bad day' is part of the role of the nurse.

The advantages of breastfeeding

A key component in encouraging women to breast feed is education. "Older women tend to have more education and life experience, and so may be more likely to breastfeed. Education…plays a role in determining breastfeeding, possibly because women with more education may better understand the benefits of breastfeeding than those with less" (Rachel, Scott, & McLanahan 2008: 189). Mothers must understand that breastfeeding conveys significant advantages to the baby from birth onward. At birth, it strengthens the child's….....