For which patient in the emergency room is it most important that the nurse conduct a thorough assessment for abuse and neglect?

A) 6-year-old African American male with complaints of abdominal pain
B) 2-year-old Caucasian male with injuries from a fall
C) 7-year-old Caucasian female with a broken arm from a motor vehicle accident
D) 4-year-old Hispanic female who complains of an earache.

The younger the child,the more vulnerable he or she is to abuse owing to their dependency,small size,and inability to defend themselves.Statistics indicate that Caucasian children are at a high risk for abuse.The 2-year-old child is the youngest and of the high-risk race,and injuries are from a fall.The nurse should assess all children and adults for signs of violence and neglect; however,the 2-year-old has priority.Many children suffer from otitis media (ear infection)manifested with an earache.