A 7-year-old boy presents with multiple old and new bruises of varying sizes and locations, and appears fearful and avoids eye contact. He mentions that his father often loses his temper. What are your concerns and what are the next steps?
The combination of physical findings and behavioral cues raises concerns about possible child abuse. Next steps include a thorough physical exam and potentially imaging to assess for unseen injuries. Consultation with Child Protective Services and possible law enforcement involvement are critical, as the primary goal is ensuring the child's immediate safety.