Mehlman High Yield Practice Exam 2026 - Free High Yield Practice Questions and Study Guide

Addressing safety and possible non-accidental injury is the priority when you see bruising at different stages of healing in a woman in her 30s–40s. Bruises in various phases strongly suggest repeated trauma from abuse, which makes safeguarding the patient the most important first step. This pattern indicates ongoing harm and potential danger, so the clinician should approach privately, assess safety, and arrange appropriate support and resources.

Nutritional deficiencies and liver disease can cause bruising by impairing clotting or connective tissue, but they don’t typically explain bruises appearing at multiple stages of healing. Fever isn’t a direct cause of bruising and would point toward infectious or inflammatory processes rather than a pattern of repeated trauma.