Does This Sound Fishy?

Nurses General Nursing

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I was working in peds last night and they brought up an 8 month old baby with a head injury who had been in a car accident. The baby was the only one hurt...the parents claim he was in a car seat and that the car seat was properly fastened. They said that the impact was too great.(no one else was injured) But this baby's face was all beat up. The doctor even thought it was strange and was wondering about abuse. I don't know about that, but do you think it is possible for a securely strapped in baby to sustain severe head injuries like that in an accident that would otherwise be deemed minor? My theory is that the baby was not in a car seat(maybe on mom's lap) or that the car seat was not fastened properly) and that they were afraid to admit it. I was only working in the capacity of a nurse's aid so I don't know what happened after that. I took him down for x-rays with what I thought was the parents but I don't know the results. That's another thing. The parents were in the coffee shop getting something to eat, while the aunt and uncle came with me to x-ray. And the parents didn't seem overly upset. I don't know....that seemed a little bizarre, as well. Since I am going to be a nurse soon and may be faced with similar situations, am I wrong to raise my eyebrows at the way this kid got hurt? And if so, as a nurse how do you deal with this? Like what is the protocol? I would never want to jump to conclusions. At the very least, maybe the parents require further education regarding proper use of a car seat?

makes me wonder if the baby got hurt in the MVA at all....maybe covering for more than you realize...did the police make a report?....police and medics should have been chking the security of the car seat, eval damage to car etc in relationship to the injuries...they usually do this at the scene.....if no medics were called to scene then only police will have info on damage to car....hopefully they followed thru on this....it does sound fishy!

I don't know any of the details of the accident, regarding the police and all or if they were even called. The uncle said that a different car ran a stop sign, but even thinking about that...the boys injuries don't make much sense. The ER also didn't mention it. As a nurse, I would have asked for more information regarding the accident but as a CNA that is not within my role. The doctor seemed suspicious so I am hoping that she will investigate this further. I would hate to see this poor baby returned to an abusive home. And if there is no abuse, the parents defintely require some further teaching(if they were taught at all. They were only spanish speaking and I have found that often their needs are not met because the nurse or whoever doesnt feel like getting an interpreter..it happens a lot where I work, sadly)

Is there a video in the room of the kid?

This smells extremely fishy in my opinion!

Something stinks to high heaven......:(

What do you mean...like a surveilence camera? No but the room is right in front of the nurse's station. Also this baby seemed overly passive, in my opinion for an 8 month old. Didn't cry much. And his wbc was 22.3, but I guess this could be a result of trauma? I am sure the x-rays will show any old injuries. I just also think it unusual that the baby's aunt and uncle came with me to x-ray and not the parents(they were eating in the coffee shop) and that it was the aunt who went with the baby to the treatment room when the nurse started his IV. I don't know...if that were my baby, I don't think I would have much of an appetite, especially before I knew the extent of his injuries. And they really didn't see too upset. I would think most parents would be frantic and not want to leave their child'd side. I know everyone is different but their behavior just didn't seem " right" .

Specializes in Geriatrics, LTC.
Originally posted by deespoohbear

Something stinks to high heaven......:(

I agree....needs to be checked out further.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

smells like fish.

Specializes in ED staff.

I work in the ER and I've never seen a child from an MVA that was in a car seat have the injuries you describe, however... I don't know what was in the car with these people, could be something became airborne and struck the child?

flo, l think it is always best to trust your instincts....THAT is a nursing skill that cannot be taught...sounds like you are on your way to becomming a great nurse.....true if you were RN you would have more options. Fortunatly in our ER we have a social worker there most of time..many times l relay my concerns to her and she is very thourough, then l document "SS consult."..cya ya know....also as nurse on floor, you might go over the ER records, may fill in some blanks there. Keep your ears open, let us know what you find out..........LR

In Indiana, you don't have to be an RN to report suspected abuse....

Flo, I would contact you nursing supervisor and tell her of your suspicions....it is not normal for a healthy baby to be passive when painful procedures being performed on them. This is usually a sign of submission on the child's fault. They probably have been slapped when they fussed...get your supervisor and social services involved NOW!!!

Specializes in CVOR,CNOR,NEURO,TRAUMA,TRANSPLANTS.

REEKS with stench in my opinion

I would bet money that the child is an abuse case and the parents were "OFF" not being seen with the child so anyone could associate them with the child. Think about it Parents that have just had a child envolved in a minor scrape you have to pry their hands off the child just so you can look at them much less take them somewhere without the child sitting in moms lap..... Your bells were going off for just cause Your base instinct is your best bell ringer in iforming you that something isnt right

Im sure that child has a few files at a few hospitals in the surrounding area.... Alot of bells should have gone off....

Zoe

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