A nurse in the emergency department is assessing a preschooler who was brought in by a parent and has injuries consistent with physical maltreatment. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when interviewing the child?

When assessing a child with suspected physical maltreatment, the nurse must create a safe, calm, and supportive environment that encourages honest communication while minimizing fear and anxiety. Preschool children may feel frightened, confused, or reluctant to speak, especially in unfamiliar emergency settings. Therapeutic communication should be developmentally appropriate and nonthreatening. Comfort measures that promote trust and emotional security help the child participate more effectively in the interview. Rationale: A. Documentation after the interview should focus on objective findings and the child’s exact words rather than subjective interpretation. Recording subjective information can introduce bias and may weaken the legal value of the documentation. Accurate documentation should be factual, precise, and completed promptly, but the nurse should avoid relying on subjective statements. B. Encouraging the parent to remain with the child is inappropriate when physical maltreatment is suspected because the caregiver may be the source of abuse or may influence the child’s responses. The child should be interviewed separately in a safe environment where they can speak freely without fear of intimidation or pressure. Privacy helps improve the reliability of the information obtained. C. Conducting the interview in a semi-private room is not appropriate because confidentiality and safety are essential during abuse assessment. A fully private setting is necessary to protect the child’s emotional well-being and to allow open communication without interruptions or exposure to others. Semi-private spaces may increase anxiety and limit disclosure. D. Allowing the child to have their favorite stuffed animal provides comfort, reduces anxiety, and helps establish a sense of safety during the interview. Familiar objects can be especially reassuring for preschool children in stressful healthcare situations. This supports therapeutic communication and helps the child feel more secure while discussing sensitive experiences.