2nd September 2020

A 5-year-old boy, Henry, presents to A&E with a painful arm

A 5-year-old boy, Henry, presents to A&E with a painful arm. He is noted to have several bruises on his arms, legs, back and torso. Henry is accompanied by his mother, who insists that she would “never hit her child”. 

Henry has 3 brothers and sisters, aged 7 years old, 2 years old and 4 months old. The family is not known to social services, but Henry’s mother and father have just gone through a divorce. Henry’s mother tells you that she has been finding things difficult since the divorce and has gone to see her GP due to low mood. Neither Henry nor his mother can explain how he got the bruises. 

Of the following options, which THREE are the most appropriate actions to take? Select THREE options only.