Student Discussion That Needs to Be Responded to:

From the age brackets given on the types of child abuse and the ages vulnerable to a wide range of child abuse, this discussion has chosen to highlight more school-age children who are mostly exposed to several child abuse. A nurse should look at a wide range of physical and warning signs and emotional assessments to ascertain if a child is undergoing or experiencing any form of abuse. School-age children face four major types of abuse; these are physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, and neglect abuse. Warning signs or physical signs of child abuse include the presence of injury or injuries resulting from physical aggression such as slapping, hitting, burning with hot objects or cigarettes, severe punishment, shaking or kicking, and punching.

Children at this age may also be emotionally abused by not being allowed to express their views and opinions, frequently threatening, bullying, emotional blackmail, telling them they are not good, limiting physical contact, or silencing them (Tracy, 2021). Sexual abuse can be attributed to assault by penetration in case of rape or oral sex., telling children dirty jokes, and allowing children to watch inappropriate video clips/. Signs of child abuse as mentioned, abuse for school-age children, including children running away from home, having a nightmare, changes in appetite and moods, early pregnancy, wetting the bed, withdrawing from friends, shying away from certain people, appearing afraid, lack of attachment to a parent, development of extreme behaviors, inappropriate dressing, flinching when touched and crying when reminded to go to a practical place among other signs (Tracy, 2021).

Healing methods such as cupping, moxibustion, and caida de pollera mimic child abuse. Also, at times a child may be reprimanded by light beating or pinching as part of discouraging the child from repeating similar mistakes, which may be taken as child abuse (Gelles, 2019). Depending on the organization, child abuse reporting nurses are required to make a rereferral to the local authority regarding children’s social care. Also, nurses may call child protective services and ensure to follow up with reported children (Gelles, 2019). Perhaps additional resources such as social services can be effective for child abuse reporting or calling 9-1-1 or this number: (1-800)4-A-CHILD or (1-800) 422-4453. Major factors increasing the vulnerability to child abuse include parents’ mental health and income poverty. Parent’s mental health may lead to family stress resulting in child abuse. Poverty may also lead to neglect and abuse of children (Brazier, 2020).

References

Brazier, Y. (2020). Child Abuse: Types, Signs, and Reporting Possible Abuse. Medical and Health Information. Retrieved August 9, 2023, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/241532#tips

Gelles, R. J. (2019). School-Age Parents and Child Abuse. School-Age Pregnancy & Parenthood, 347-360. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315128962-22

Tracy, N. (2021, December 17). Types of Child Abuse. Mental Health Support, Resources & Information | HealthyPlace. Retrieved August 9, 2023, from https://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/child-abuse-information/types-child-abuse

Original Discussion Prompt:

Assessment Description

Child abuse and maltreatment is not limited to a particular age—it can occur in the infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age years. Choose one of the four age groups and outline the types of abuse most commonly seen among children of that age. Describe warning signs and physical and emotional assessment findings the nurse may see that could indicate child abuse. Discuss cultural variations of health practices that can be misidentified as child abuse. Describe the reporting mechanism in your state and nurse responsibilities related to the reporting of suspected child abuse. Identify two factors that increase the vulnerability of a child for abuse in the age group you have selected.

Example of How to Respond to a Student Discussion: 

Hi Nita,

I like how you discuss both the teacher observing the student and the student observing their own art. You bring up excellent points about the teachers observing the children, because it does help the teacher to better communicate with the children and understand them better. As teachers, it is very important to nurture students, particularly if they are very young, I think, because it allows them to better understand the needs of the student, and how to work with them. Paying attention to what the student is drawing, and seeing how the student reacts to their own work can improve the teachers’ understanding.

Expressing feelings in this discussion board reply examples is a major component of growing up. The more a student is able to express those feelings, the more they can understand them. I liked reading about what you said on this topic, and I agree that the art is a very useful tool that students can learn to express their feelings effectively. If they do not express them, they are keeping them inside, and drawing can become a form of counseling for them. In my opinion, I think the drawing can be particularly useful for many students who are quiet. These students do not often express themselves verbally, and drawing can be a way for them to understand their feelings, and to release some pent up sadness of hostile feelings, for example. I think this form of therapy sticks with many people throughout life, and they continue to use drawing as a coping mechanism.

Thanks,
Steven