title: Child abuse.
abstract: Child abuse is one of the most common major disorders involving children. Nurses who maintain a high index of suspicion; report abuse and neglect to child protection agencies (as required by law); and initiate proper management protocol can protect and preserve the lives and mental health of vulnerable children. By making a commitment to become educated about child abuse, nurses can significantly increase their ability to act as a medical advocate for all children. A nurse's timely and accurate assessment of every pediatric patient is crucial to the early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of these troubled families.
authors.affiliation: St. Louis School, Clarksville, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Widner-Kolberg
mesh_terms: D002649:Child Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D002651:Child Advocacy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003422:Critical Care; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment