Neurosensory Disorder Question. NEED HELP ASAP

[Fundamentals(1986)]

This problem confuses me because the nurse obviously can cannot do anything and reporting it to the agency would be a false prediction or whatever because she just THINKS that is where the bruises are coming from. Wouldnt the answer be the second one? To just monitor it before jumping the gun? Input would be most welcome. Thanks!!

The home care nurse is visiting a 74-year-old client with Alzheimer's disease. During the visit, the nurse notes bruising on the client's upper arms, and the client is more withdrawn than normal. The client is unable to communicate effectively because of his disease progression. The nurse suspects elder abuse. What is the nurse's responsibility in this situation?

1. Do nothing because the nurse has no proof of wrongdoing.

2. Monitor the situation during subsequent visits.

3. Report the suspicion to the local agency on aging within 24 hours of the suspicion.

4. Try to convince the client to report the problem.

[belliot2]

Its #2 Report for suspicion of abuse.

This all you may ever have- the suspicion, not proof.

Its their job to determine if a gut feeling is right,

if you wait

he could be dead the next time you visit.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

The nurse may be a mandatory reporter in your state and has no choice but to report it. To be sure, you need to check your state law on this. It is then up to the Agency on Aging to do an investigation and decide if there is abuse or not. This is how it works with children in most states. It may also be how it works with elders in your state as well.

Believe me, if a nurse is a mandatory reporter of any suspected elder abuse in your state and doesn't report it when they suspect it or see it, their nursing license is in jeopardy of being taken away.