Safety and Injury

Question 1

Physical safety

Answer 1

Unintentional, preventable injury is the leading cause of paediatric mortality and morbidity
Inquisitive and exploratory nature of children means that injuries and accidents are common though most are preventable, some are inevitable.
10-14 year olds are most likely to sustain injury requiring hospitalisation
Children and adolescents do not calculate risks

Question 2

Injury prevention programs

Answer 2

Review of equipment in playgrounds
Swimming/ lifesaving
Road safety
Stranger danger
Child care restraints

Question 3

Common injuries

Answer 3

0-12 months – intracranial injuries and foreign bodies
1-4years – falls, thermal causes, poisoning, transport
5-9years – fractures
10-24 years – falls, transport, self-harm becomes more prevalent

Question 4

Types of Child Abuse

Answer 4

Physical abuse
Neglect
Emotional abuse
Sexual abuse

Question 5

Indicators of abuse

Answer 5

Increased emotional problems
Depression
Poor school performance
Regression in development – bedwetting, thumb sucking
Abrupt changes in behaviour – was outgoing, now withdrawal
Delay in seeking attention
Distance travelled to reach hospital
Story not consistent
Injury not in proportion to accident

Question 6

Psychosocial safety

Answer 6

1. Close and trusting relationships
2. Coping with separation and independence
3. Negotiating shared decisions and conflict
4. Dealing with frustration
5. Celebrating and experiencing pleasure
6. Delayed gratification
7. Relaxation and play
8. Cognitive processing

Question 7

Assessment of child abuse

Answer 7

History does not match existing injury
unexplained injury
caregiver blames child for injury
caregiver reluctant for information
repeated injuries or hospitalisation
delay in seeking treatment
response does not match severity of injury

Question 8

Documentation of child abused

Answer 8

Accurate recording – to allow comparison of stories
Factual – to minimise misconception
Objective
Non Judgemental – you may be wrong
Verifiable – don’t interview alone – have a 3rd person
Written and photographic recording

Question 9

Type of child abuse injury

Answer 9

Cutaneous – bite marks, laceration, abrasion, contusion
Burns
Fractures
Head Trauma
Ocular injuries
Abdominal trauma
Genital
Poisoning
Munchausen by proxy

Question 10

Neglect

Answer 10

Neglect is a form of abuse

Inadequate hygiene, attire, supervision, healthcare
Malnourishment
Apathy
Exposure to violence, environmental hazards

Question 11

Indicators of non-intentional vs intentional injury

Answer 11

Size, shape, location and pattern