Which statement supports a suspicion of child abuse for a 3-year-old admitted to the hospital with many poorly explained injuries?

Which statement supports a suspicion of child abuse for a 3-year-old admitted to the hospital with many poorly explained injuries?

• A. I am very involved in all their care
• B. My child has had all vaccines on schedule
• C. I always provide nutrition and safe housing
• D. I have no problems with any of my other children

Answer: (D)

In suspected child abuse, look for caregiver responses that minimize or deny problems, especially when a child has unexplained injuries. The statement about having no problems with any of the other children can raise suspicion because it attempts to present the entire family as perfectly well, which can mask issues specific to the current child. This minimization or denial can be a red flag that the caregiver is not acknowledging or is concealing harm happening to the 3-year-old. The other statements describe positive, proactive caregiving—being involved in care, keeping vaccines up to date, and ensuring nutrition and safe housing. While good parenting is important, these alone do not signal concern in this context. Taken together, the statement about other children stands out as a potential cue to probe further for possible abuse or neglect and to assess safety and the risk to the child.

In suspected child abuse, look for caregiver responses that minimize or deny problems, especially when a child has unexplained injuries. The statement about having no problems with any of the other children can raise suspicion because it attempts to present the entire family as perfectly well, which can mask issues specific to the current child. This minimization or denial can be a red flag that the caregiver is not acknowledging or is concealing harm happening to the 3-year-old.

The other statements describe positive, proactive caregiving—being involved in care, keeping vaccines up to date, and ensuring nutrition and safe housing. While good parenting is important, these alone do not signal concern in this context. Taken together, the statement about other children stands out as a potential cue to probe further for possible abuse or neglect and to assess safety and the risk to the child.