Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting

Child abuse and neglect affect approximately 1 in 3 Canadian children in some form during childhood. Physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another (previously Munchausen by proxy) each have distinct clinical presentations. Healthcare workers who recognize and report abuse can save lives and prevent ongoing harm. For the REx-PN exam, child abuse questions test: (1) recognizing specific high-specificity abuse indicators; (2) mandatory reporting requirements; (3) what the nurse should and should NOT do; and (4) documentation standards. The most commonly tested error is failing to report due to uncertainty. On the exam, writers often pair stable-sounding options with unstable data—notice the mismatch before you commit. If the stem names a license or role, reread that line; scope errors are classic trap answers even when the clinical topic is familiar. Run a 60-second scan: breathing work and oxygenation, perfusion and end organs, neuro baseline, likely infection sources, and devices that can fail quietly. When two answers feel partly right, pick the one that reduces imminent harm and matches orders for the role you were given.