A nurse is obtaining a health history from an adolescent who they suspect is experiencing physical maltreatment. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Rationale: A. Make an audio recording of the adolescent's responses: Audio recordings require consent and may not be legally or ethically appropriate in suspected abuse cases. Documentation should be written, factual, and follow institutional policies and mandatory reporting laws. B. Promise not to disclose information shared during the interview: Nurses must never promise confidentiality in suspected abuse cases, as they are mandated reporters. All disclosures of abuse must be reported to child protective services or appropriate authorities. C. Obtain a history from both the adolescent and their caregiver: Gathering information from both parties helps identify inconsistencies and assess the situation fully. However, this should be done separately to allow the adolescent to speak freely and without coercion. D. Use leading questions during the interview: Leading questions can influence the adolescent’s responses and compromise the integrity of the assessment. Open-ended, nonjudgmental questions are essential to support accurate and unbiased information gathering.