Reference no: EM133803246

Question

A 5-year-old boy, referred by child protective services, presents for a psychiatric evaluation with his new foster mother. He was removed from his biological parents 6 months ago due to being physically abused by the father and due to the mother's failure to protect him. Because of the child's physical aggression toward female authority figures, this is his fourth foster home, and he has only been in the current home for 3 days. He has been hitting and leaving bruises on his new foster mother when he is directed to stop playing video games and go to bed. There are no other children in the home. He does not hit the foster father. His foster mother wants him placed on risperidone as she reports it helped with a past foster child who had similar aggression. Other than reporting the child does not have any medication allergies, the foster mother does not know the child's developmental, medical, psychiatric, or family history. He is not on any current medications. Which of the following is the next best step? Admit the child to the local crisis center for evaluation and stabilization Contact child protective services and ask for their assistance in obtaining.