Take the Test

1. “Pediatric abusive head trauma” is defined by the State of Kentucky as:

• a. The injury to the skull of an infant or young child due to neglect or violence, including gunshot wounds, stab wounds, or penetrating trauma.
• b. The various injuries or conditions that may result following the vigorous shaking, slamming, or impacting the head of an infant or young child.
• c. The injury to the scalp of an infant or young child due to an open or closed head fracture.
• d. The white brain matter injury of an infant or young child due to causes of unknown etiology.

2. Infants are at greater risk than adults to head trauma because their:

• a. Brains are larger proportionately to their body size and are easily compressed within the skull during a shaking episode.
• b. Skulls are thick and rigid, with open fontanels that swell and bleed with excessive shaking.
• c. Heads are smaller in relation to their body size, and their blood vessels are stiff and dilate when shaking occurs.
• d. Brains have less water content and contain more brain cells than an adult brain.

3. According to study findings, a clinician who assesses families for risk of pediatric abusive head trauma finds which situation to present the highest risk?

• a. A mother states she is going back to work, leaving her 3-month-old infant with a neighbor who provides licensed in-home care for her own 6-month-old infant.
• b. A single mother states that her live-in boyfriend, who is currently unemployed, will be caring for her special needs 4-month-old infant while she is at work.
• c. A new mother states that she is experiencing mild postpartum depression.
• d. A husband brings his 1-month-old infant to the family’s doctor appointment, stating that his wife is being treated for postpartum anemia.

4. Which question is not part of a nursing neurological assessment of a child suspected of having an abusive head injury?

• a. Are facial movements symmetrical?
• b. Is each pupil the same size, shape, and able to react to light equally?
• c. Does the child appear well-nourished?
• d. Does the child show unusual flaccidity or posturing?

5. Which injury describes normal developmental patterns of accidental injury in the 0- to 3-year-old age range?

• a. Rib fractures
• b. Trauma from falls down stairs or off of a bed or changing table
• c. Retinal hemorrhage and bilateral, hypoxic-ischemic brain injury
• d. Bruises with patterns such as handprints, loop or belt marks, or bite marks

6. Which intervention by a healthcare professional is the best example of a primary child abuse prevention strategy?

• a. Offering a parenting course specifically to teen mothers at risk for child abuse
• b. Referring parents with “mental health” issues to a community mental health agency
• c. Providing all new parents with information on normal newborn crying and steps to take if they become frustrated
• d. Referring parents convicted of child abuse to a home-visiting program that teaches parenting skills

7. Which is a correct statement regarding mandated reporting of child abuse and/or neglect, to include pediatric abusive head trauma, in Kentucky?

• a. Reporters are required to provide their name in the report.
• b. Mandated reporting is required once a complete assessment of the injuries has been conducted in the presence of a social worker.
• c. Reporting is mandated only for healthcare professionals.
• d. Mandated reporting is required as soon as there is reasonable cause to believe that abuse has occurred.