The nurse notices a client slap her child in the waiting room. What should the nurse do?

• A. Talk to the mother privately
• B. Ignore and continue care
• C. Call child protective services
• D. Refer to social worker next week

Answer: (C)

When a nurse witnesses potential child abuse, the primary responsibility is to protect the child and fulfill mandatory reporting requirements. Healthcare professionals are often legally required to report suspected abuse to child protective services so protective intervention can occur quickly. In this situation, the child’s safety is at immediate risk, and reporting to the authorities is the appropriate first step rather than ignoring the incident or delaying action.

While continuing to care for the mother and child, the nurse should promptly notify the designated child protection agency per policy, and document the observation factually—what was seen, when, where, any injuries or distress, and the mother’s response—without judgment. After reporting, follow facility protocols, which may include assessing the child’s safety, arranging for medical evaluation if needed, and coordinating with the social work or protection teams. Confronting the mother in the moment or postponing action until later would not prioritize the child's safety.