If a physician finds out that an adult is a victim of abuse when they were a child what must be done?

• A. Must be reported
• B. Must be kept confidential
• C. Must be posted publicly
• D. Only reported with consent

Answer: (A)

Mandated reporting of child abuse is the guiding principle here. Physicians must report to the designated authorities when they have reasonable cause to believe a child has been abused or neglected, and that obligation remains even if the abuse was in the past and the victim is now an adult. This duty exists to protect children who may still be at risk and to enable authorities to assess and intervene as needed. Consent from the patient is not required, and confidentiality does not override this legal requirement. Reports should be made to the appropriate agency (such as child protective services or law enforcement in Texas) promptly and within the timeframe set by state law. Posting information publicly or treating the matter as confidential to the point of not reporting would be inappropriate and could carry penalties.