102: Physical Abuse Flashcards
What are the common indicators of physical abuse in children?
Common indicators include bruising on soft padded areas, patterned bruising in different stages of healing, bilateral and uniform burns, injuries inconsistent with explanations, and suspicious black eyes without trauma to the nose or superior orbital ridge.
What are the key features to consider in the clinical assessment of suspected abuse?
Key features include comprehensible explanations for injuries, congruence between history and physical examination findings, morphology of injuries, and localization of injuries in hidden areas.
What are the common locations for injuries in child abuse cases?
Common locations include the head, trunk, extremities, face, and genitalia.
What are common forms of abuse mentioned in the text?
Child abuse, elder abuse, and domestic violence.
What is a key indicator of physical abuse in children?
Bruising on soft padded areas of the body and patterned bruising in different stages of healing.
What is the estimated number of children involved in physical abuse cases in the US?
Approximately 700,000 to 1.25 million children.
What is the lifetime risk of sexual abuse for girls?
Approximately 25% to 40%.
What percentage of elder abuse victims are aged 65 years or older?
1 to 2 million Americans each year.
What are the key features in the forensic classification of abuse?
Morphology and localization of injuries.
What does a yellow bruise indicate about its age?
It is likely older than 18 hours.
What areas are commonly injured in child abuse cases?
Trunk, buttocks, neck folds, palms/soles, thighs, genitalia, ear lobes, neck, and cheeks.
What is the significance of multiple bruises of differing colors?
They may indicate repeated trauma rather than one isolated incident.
What should providers seek to identify when assessing injuries?
Congruence between history provided and physical examination findings.
What are the key indicators of physical abuse in children that healthcare providers should look for during examinations?
Key indicators include bruising on soft padded areas, patterned bruising, bilateral and uniform burns, injuries from primary or secondary trauma, and morphology and localization of injuries.
How does the epidemiology of elder abuse differ from child abuse in terms of prevalence and risk factors?
Elder abuse affects 1 to 2 million Americans aged 65 or older annually, with individuals older than 80 being 2 to 3 times more likely to suffer abuse.
What clinical features should be assessed to determine the likelihood of abuse in patients presenting with injuries?
Assess comprehensible explanations, morphology of injuries, and localization of injuries.
What are the common locations of injuries in child abuse, and what does their presence indicate?
Common locations include trunk, buttocks, neck folds, and genitalia, indicating potential abuse.
What are the common forms of abuse that affect patients across all socioeconomic classes and races?
Child abuse, elder abuse, and domestic violence.
What specific cutaneous findings are concerning for physical abuse?
Bruising on soft padded areas, patterned bruising, and bilateral and uniform burns.
What is the lifetime risk of sexual abuse for boys?
Approximately 10%.
What is the fastest-growing form of abuse in the United States?
Elder abuse.
What percentage of domestic abuse victims are women?
Approximately 90% to 95%.
What are key features in the forensic classification of abuse?
Morphology and localization of injuries.
What does the presence of multiple bruises of differing colors indicate?
It may indicate repeated trauma rather than one isolated incident.
What findings may suggest sexual abuse in children?
Acute genital or anal injuries, marked hymeneal opening enlargement, chafing, abrasions, or bruising of the inner thighs and genitalia.
What is the significance of a yellow bruise in terms of timing?
A yellow bruise is likely older than 18 hours.
What are the characteristics of injuries that raise concern for intentional abuse in children?
Characteristics include repeated, clustered, and/or patterned injuries, rule of 3, slap injuries, grab or pinch marks, ligature injuries, tramline bruising, bite marks, and inflicted burns.
What are some risk factors associated with child abuse?
Emotional or behavioral issues, chronic illnesses, premature birth, multiple siblings, unwanted pregnancy, single-parent households, living at or below poverty level, and gender.
What are the common red flags that may indicate child abuse?
Common red flags include unexplained delay in presentation, inconsistent caregiver history, denial of trauma, severe injuries blamed on pets or young children, and observation of child’s behavior.
What are the risk factors for elder abuse?
Risk factors include older age, lack of access to resources, low income, social isolation, minority status, low education, functional impairment, and caregiver stress.
What types of injuries are more concerning for intentional abuse?
Repeated, clustered, and/or patterned injuries.
What is the rule of 3 in relation to child abuse?
Three or more individual injuries in the same body region raises concern for abuse.
What does tramline bruising indicate?
It indicates trauma usually from a rectangular or round object, showing preserved normal skin within the lines.
What are common characteristics of inflicted burns in children?
Inflicted burns tend to be symmetric with sharply demarcated edges and an absence of splash marks.
