Assessment for Abuse

Child abuse can be described as the neglect, emotional, physical, sexual, and psychological maltreatment of a child. In most cases, maltreatment is perpetrated by a caregiver or the parent. Children, who are exposed to maltreatment, are likely to suffer from a range of health problems, including the inability to pay attention, low self-esteem and poor emotional health. Nurses carry out a comprehensive assessment of the social and health history of a child suspected to have been abused. Since this assessment may generate a range of emotions, the nurse must apply strategies that do not expose the child to the risk of greater psychological and physical harm.