A nurse is collecting data from a child and notes the presence of bruises on her arms and legs. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Telling the child what will happen when the abuse is reported is not the first action a nurse should take. It is important to first gather all necessary information and report the suspected abuse to the appropriate authorities. Requesting a social services referral is an important step when abuse is suspected, but it should come after obtaining a detailed history and reporting the suspected abuse. Reporting the suspected abuse to the authorities is crucial when child abuse is suspected. However, it is important to first obtain a detailed history to provide as much information as possible to the authorities. When a nurse notes the presence of bruises on a child's arms and legs, the first action should be to obtain a detailed history. This can provide important context for the bruises and help determine whether they are likely the result of accidental injury or possible abuse.