Which of the following best describes Additional Serious Physical Injury for a child under 12 or family/dating context?

Which of the following best describes Additional Serious Physical Injury for a child under 12 or family/dating context?

• A. Bruising near eyes, head, neck, lower back/kidneys, or severe bruising with elevated creatine kinase.
• B. Minor bruises on the arms.
• C. Scratches on the skin.
• D. Mild headaches that resolve quickly.

Answer: (A)

Recognizing Additional Serious Physical Injury means identifying injuries that indicate substantial harm to a child under 12 or in a family/dating violence context. The best description involves bruising in sensitive areas—near the eyes, head, neck, or the lower back/kidneys—or severe bruising with elevated creatine kinase, which points to significant muscle damage from strong force. These signs are concerning for abusive injury and typically require urgent medical evaluation and protective action. In contrast, minor bruises on the arms, scratches on the skin, or mild headaches that resolve quickly are common and usually do not indicate the level of harm that defines Additional Serious Physical Injury.

Recognizing Additional Serious Physical Injury means identifying injuries that indicate substantial harm to a child under 12 or in a family/dating violence context. The best description involves bruising in sensitive areas—near the eyes, head, neck, or the lower back/kidneys—or severe bruising with elevated creatine kinase, which points to significant muscle damage from strong force. These signs are concerning for abusive injury and typically require urgent medical evaluation and protective action.

In contrast, minor bruises on the arms, scratches on the skin, or mild headaches that resolve quickly are common and usually do not indicate the level of harm that defines Additional Serious Physical Injury.