What legal responsibility does a nurse have when an adolescent discloses sexual abuse?

A nurse has a legal responsibility to report any suspected or disclosed cases of child abuse, including sexual abuse, to child protective services or the appropriate authorities. This duty is mandated by laws designed to protect minors and ensure their safety.

When an adolescent reveals sexual abuse, the priority is to ensure their immediate safety and well-being, which often involves intervention from specialized agencies that can provide the necessary support and legal actions. Reporting to child protective services allows for a trained team to assess the situation further and take steps to protect the minor from ongoing abuse.

In this context, notifying the adolescent's family might not be appropriate, especially if doing so could place the adolescent in further danger or undermine the investigation. Contacting the child's teacher is not the correct channel for addressing such disclosures, as teachers are not legally designated to handle abuse cases. Simply documenting the disclosure in the medical record, while necessary, is insufficient on its own, as it does not initiate the protective actions needed to address the abuse effectively.