A nurse notices bruises on an older adult patient that do not match the caregiver's explanation. What is the nurse's legal responsibility?

A. Wait for more evidence: Delaying action while waiting for additional evidence can put the patient at continued risk of harm. Nurses are legally and ethically obligated to act on reasonable suspicions of abuse without waiting for proof. B. Report the suspicion to the appropriate agency: Nurses are mandated reporters for suspected elder abuse. Reporting to the proper authorities ensures the patient’s safety and initiates an official investigation, fulfilling legal and ethical obligations. C. Confront the caregiver: Directly confronting the caregiver could escalate the situation or place the patient at further risk. The nurse’s role is to report suspicions through proper channels rather than handle the situation independently. D. Document the findings and take no further action: Documentation is important but insufficient on its own. Failing to report suspicions of abuse neglects the nurse’s legal responsibility and may allow continued harm to the patient.