A nurse is assisting in the care of an older adult. The client appears to be malnourished and bruising is noted on their arms and legs. The nurse should identify which of the following as the legal responsibility of the nurse?

A. Documenting suspicions in the client's medical record: While accurate documentation of objective findings is important, simply recording suspicions without following mandated reporting procedures does not fulfill the nurse’s legal responsibility. Documentation supports care but is not the primary legal action. B. Notifying the caregiver of the findings: Informing the caregiver may be inappropriate and could place the client at further risk, especially if the caregiver is the suspected abuser. Legal obligations prioritize protecting the client over notifying the caregiver. C. Reporting findings to social services: Nurses are mandated reporters of suspected elder abuse or neglect. Reporting objective findings of malnutrition and unexplained bruising to social services ensures that the client’s safety is addressed and fulfills the nurse’s legal responsibility. D. Including findings during hand-off report: Communicating relevant findings during hand-off is part of good nursing practice, but it does not meet the legal requirement to report suspected abuse to appropriate authorities.