CHILD ABUSE CASE STUDY
Child Abuse Case Study
The nurse is caring for a 2-year-old child in the emergency department (ED).
Review the electronic health record (EHR) before answering each question.
Recognizing Cues
NURSES NOTES
10/10/20XX
0700
A 2-year-old child is brought to the Emergency Department by his caregiver for
vomiting and diarrhea. The child has been ill for 3 days. The caregiver reports
that it started with vomiting and progressed to vomiting and diarrhea with up
to 10 loose green stools today. The caregiver noticed that the child was
becoming more lethargic but has not taken the child’s temperature. The
caregiver mentioned that he has been exhibiting some “strange behavioral
things” and would not cooperate when she tried to take his temperature. The
last stool was an hour ago and the child’s last void was over 12 hours ago. The
child is up to date on vaccinations. The child attends daycare and a few other
children had mild symptoms last week. The child lives with his siblings and
both parents who have not been ill. Current weight is 30 pounds. The caregiver
states that is one pound less than his last weight a few months ago.
Based on the nurse’s documentation, select the 4 findings that
require immediate attention.
Consider Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Which findings are most concerning?
The physiological needs take priority over the psychosocial needs.
The following items need immediate follow-up by the nurse:
 Vomiting, diarrhea, and not voiding for 12 hours are of the biggest
concern as they will lead to a fluid volume deficit and dehydration.
 Lethargy and “strange behavioral things” (or potential altered mental
status) are concerning and need to be investigated further; they may be
a result of the dehydration, trauma, or neglect.CHILD ABUSE CASE STUDY
Child Abuse Case Study
The nurse is caring for a 2-year-old child in the emergency department (ED).
Review the electronic health record (EHR) before answering each question.
Recognizing Cues
NURSES NOTES
10/10/20XX
0700
A 2-year-old child is brought to the Emergency Department by his caregiver for
vomiting and diarrhea. The child has been ill for 3 days. The caregiver reports
that it started with vomiting and progressed to vomiting and diarrhea with up
to 10 loose green stools today. The caregiver noticed that the child was
becoming more lethargic but has not taken the child’s temperature. The
caregiver mentioned that he has been exhibiting some “strange behavioral
things” and would not cooperate when she tried to take his temperature. The
last stool was an hour ago and the child’s last void was over 12 hours ago. The
child is up to date on vaccinations. The child attends daycare and a few other
children had mild symptoms last week. The child lives with his siblings and
both parents who have not been ill. Current weight is 30 pounds. The caregiver
states that is one pound less than his last weight a few months ago.
Based on the nurse’s documentation, select the 4 findings that
require immediate attention.
Consider Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Which findings are most concerning?
The physiological needs take priority over the psychosocial needs.
The following items need immediate follow-up by the nurse:
 Vomiting, diarrhea, and not voiding for 12 hours are of the biggest
concern as they will lead to a fluid volume deficit and dehydration.
 Lethargy and “strange behavioral things” (or potential altered mental
status) are concerning and need to be investigated further; they may be
a result of the dehydration, trauma, or neglect.