Medical Evaluation for Child Physical Abuse

Medical Evaluation for Physical Abuse

Children and adolescents who may have been physically abused may present to their PNP in a variety of ways. The injury may be the identified reason for the medical visit, or the injury may be detected by the PNP upon physical examination of the child.

Medical stabilization of the child is the initial priority; the next priority is determining how the injury occurred. The medical evaluation should begin by obtaining a thorough medical and psychosocial history, which includes a detailed history of the injury.