A school nurse is assessing a child and notes various bruises on the child's body that are unexplained. Which of the following actions should the school nurse take?

Rationale: A. The nurse should not investigate by questioning other children. This can compromise confidentiality, lead to unreliable information, and may interfere with formal reporting procedures. The nurse’s role is to recognize and report suspected abuse, not to conduct a peer investigation. B. Reporting suspected child abuse does not follow an administrative or school governance chain of command. The appropriate action is a direct report to the designated child protection authority, not school board officials. C. School nurses are mandated reporters and are legally required to report any reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect directly to child protective services or the appropriate child welfare agency. Unexplained bruises are concerning for possible physical abuse and must be reported promptly to ensure the child’s safety and initiate an official investigation. D. While communication with guardians may occur in some situations, it is not appropriate when abuse is suspected. Contacting caregivers first may place the child at further risk if the caregivers are involved in the abuse. The priority is immediate reporting to protective services.