Take the Test

1. Which definition of “pediatric abusive head trauma” is used by the state of Kentucky?

• 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. For which reason are infants at greater risk than adults for head trauma?

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

3. Which assessment finding by the clinician indicates the highest risk for abusive head trauma?

• 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 unemployed, live-in boyfriend will be caring for her 4-month-old infant, who was born prematurely, 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 omitted from 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 statement is correct regarding mandated reporting of child abuse 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. Reporting is required immediately when there is reasonable cause to believe that abuse has occurred.