A medical assistant notices signs of child abuse in a young patient during a routine visit. Who is the medical assistant legally required to report this information to?
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✓ Correct answer: C. Child Protective ServicesAnswer: Child Protective Services If a medical assistant suspects or notices signs of child abuse, they are legally required to report this immediately to Child Protective Services (CPS). It is critical to protect the child, and CPS has the authority and responsibility to investigate and ensure the safety of the child. The physician should be informed, but the primary and legal reporting duty is to CPS. The local health department does not handle child abuse cases; their jurisdiction usually involves controlling and reporting infectious diseases and public health concerns. The office manager is not the appropriate authority to handle urgent and sensitive child abuse cases, and there are no legal requirements to inform them.
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