Child Abuse and Pediatric Head Trauma

Course Purpose

Builds nursing skill in recognizing, stabilizing, documenting, and reporting suspected child maltreatment and abusive pediatric head trauma.

Continuing Education Credit Designation

This educational activity is credited for 2 contact hours at completion of the activity.

Overview

After completing this course, the nurse will be able to recognize concerning histories, injuries, behaviors, and diagnostic findings associated with child maltreatment and abusive head trauma. The nurse will also be able to begin a trauma-informed assessment and support emergency stabilization. The nurse will be able to document objective findings, preserve potential evidence, collaborate with the multidisciplinary team, and make a legally appropriate report based on reasonable suspicion rather than proof.

Objectives

Upon completion of this independent study, the learner will be able to:

1. Differentiate physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and medical child abuse using current clinical definitions.
2. Recognize historical, developmental, physical, neurologic, and imaging findings that require evaluation for possible child maltreatment or abusive head trauma.
3. Perform and document an age-appropriate initial assessment of a child with suspected head trauma, including the pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale.
4. Select appropriate laboratory tests, imaging studies, consultations, and evidence-preservation measures for suspected child abuse.
5. Initiate emergency nursing interventions that reduce secondary brain injury in a child with suspected abusive head trauma.
6. Apply federal principles and applicable jurisdictional procedures when reporting reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect.

Who this course is for:

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, registered nurses, licensed practical or vocational nurses, and other healthcare providers in any setting who want continuing education on Child Abuse and Pediatric Head Trauma.

Course outline

15 sections · finish in any order across devices

1. 1

   Introduction

2. 2

   Causes of Child Abuse

3. 3

   Statistical Data

4. 4

   National Statutes

5. 5

   Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations Requirements

6. 6

   Child Abuse

7. 7

   Types of Abuse Seen in Children

8. 8

   Special Considerations

9. 9

   Assessing Pediatric Head Trauma

10. 10

    Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale

11. 11

    Laboratory Testing for Suspected Child Abuse

12. 12

    Diagnostic Imaging for Suspected Child Abuse

13. 13

    Treatment of Abusive Head Trauma

14. 14

    Conclusion

15. 15

    Child Abuse Resources

This Course Satisfies

Requirement summaries come from our state requirement records. All Users of Fast CE For Less’s website and content are responsible for knowing their state’s license and renewal requirements.

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