A 4-year-old boy is brought to the emergency room with bruises on his head, face, arms, and legs. His mother states that he fell down some steps. The nurse suspects that he may have been physically abused. In accordance with the law, the nurse must:

Although the nurse probably would talk to the physician about these concerns, the nurse is not required by law to do so. All healthcare workers are required by the Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974 to report suspected and actual cases of child abuse and/or neglect. Talking to the child's father may or may not help the child, and the nurse is not required by law to do so. Confrontation may not be indicated; the nurse is not required by law to confront the child's mother with these suspicions.