Which authorities may require reporting of child or elder abuse by nurses?

Which authorities may require reporting of child or elder abuse by nurses?

• A. The hospital human resources department.
• B. The appropriate state child or adult protective services agencies or law enforcement per statute.
• C. The patient's primary care physician.
• D. The board of nursing exclusively.

Answer: (B)

In Florida, nurses who suspect child or elder abuse are mandated reporters to the designated authorities: the appropriate state protective services agencies (child protective services or adult protective services) or law enforcement, as required by statute. These agencies are the ones empowered to investigate and provide protective interventions. Internal channels like a hospital human resources department or a patient’s personal physician aren’t the external recipients specified by law for mandated reporting, and the board of nursing isn’t the exclusive or sole reporting authority. The board may become involved later if information leads to disciplinary action, but the immediate legal duty is to notify protective services or law enforcement so that safeguarding actions can begin promptly.

In Florida, nurses who suspect child or elder abuse are mandated reporters to the designated authorities: the appropriate state protective services agencies (child protective services or adult protective services) or law enforcement, as required by statute. These agencies are the ones empowered to investigate and provide protective interventions. Internal channels like a hospital human resources department or a patient’s personal physician aren’t the external recipients specified by law for mandated reporting, and the board of nursing isn’t the exclusive or sole reporting authority. The board may become involved later if information leads to disciplinary action, but the immediate legal duty is to notify protective services or law enforcement so that safeguarding actions can begin promptly.