INSTANT PDF: DCF CHILD ABUSE AND
NEGLECT (CAAN) ACTUAL QUESTION
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
Overview:
This 100-question practice exam is designed to help students, child welfare professionals, and
mandated reporters prepare for the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) Child
Abuse and Neglect (CAAN) exam. It covers:
Physical Abuse – Signs, symptoms, and reporting requirements
Sexual Abuse – Indicators, disclosure patterns, and mandated reporting
Emotional Abuse and Neglect – Behavioral, emotional, and developmental effects
Supervisory and Medical Neglect – Failure to meet basic safety, healthcare, and
emotional needs
Mandated Reporting – Legal responsibilities, procedures, and best practices
Risk Factors and Red Flags – Identifying potential abuse or neglect in children
1. Which of the following is considered physical abuse?
A. A child having a scraped knee from falling on the playground
B. Hitting a child with a belt leaving bruises
C. A child refusing to eat
D. Accidental bump during sports
Answer: B. Hitting a child with a belt leaving bruises
Rationale: Physical abuse involves intentionally causing physical harm to a child,
including hitting with objects or hands.
2. Which of the following is an example of neglect?
A. Not providing adequate food, clothing, or supervision
B. Punishing a child for lying
,C. Disciplining a child for breaking rules
D. A child refusing to do homework
Answer: A. Not providing adequate food, clothing, or supervision
Rationale: Neglect is the failure to provide for a child’s basic physical, emotional,
medical, or educational needs.
3. Which of the following behaviors is most consistent with emotional abuse?
A. Yelling, belittling, or threatening a child frequently
B. Setting consistent rules
C. Allowing natural consequences for mistakes
D. Teaching problem-solving skills
Answer: A. Yelling, belittling, or threatening a child frequently
Rationale: Emotional abuse involves behaviors that harm a child’s self-esteem or
emotional well-being.
4. Which of the following is a sign of sexual abuse in children?
A. Sudden regression in behavior, such as bedwetting
B. Normal social interactions
C. Interest in age-appropriate activities
D. Excitement about school
Answer: A. Sudden regression in behavior, such as bedwetting
Rationale: Sexual abuse can cause behavioral changes, including regression,
fearfulness, or inappropriate sexual knowledge.
5. Mandated reporters are required to:
A. Report suspected abuse or neglect immediately
B. Investigate the family themselves
C. Wait until abuse is confirmed
D. Only report physical abuse
,Answer: A. Report suspected abuse or neglect immediately
Rationale: Mandated reporters must report suspicions promptly; they are not
responsible for investigating or proving abuse.
6. Which of the following is NOT considered a mandated reporter?
A. Teacher
B. Pediatrician
C. Social worker
D. Grocery store cashier
Answer: D. Grocery store cashier
Rationale: Mandated reporters are professionals working with children, such as
educators, healthcare providers, and social services staff.
7. Bruises in which location are most concerning for abuse?
A. Shins
B. Knees
C. Ears, neck, or torso
D. Elbows
Answer: C. Ears, neck, or torso
Rationale: Bruises in protected areas or unusual patterns are suspicious for abuse
rather than accidental injury.
8. Which of the following is a common behavioral indicator of neglect?
A. Consistently appearing dirty or hungry
B. Showing pride in academic achievement
C. Participating in sports
D. Seeking friends
Answer: A. Consistently appearing dirty or hungry
Rationale: Neglect often presents as unmet physical needs, including poor
hygiene, malnutrition, or lack of supervision.
, 9. Which statement about sexual abuse disclosure is correct?
A. Children often delay disclosure
B. Children immediately tell someone
C. Children always lie about abuse
D. Disclosure always occurs in private
Answer: A. Children often delay disclosure
Rationale: Many children take time to disclose abuse due to fear, shame, or
manipulation by the abuser.
10. Which of the following is a sign of emotional neglect?
A. Lack of affection or attention from caregivers
B. A scraped knee from falling
C. Sleeping in a messy room
D. Watching television too long
Answer: A. Lack of affection or attention from caregivers
Rationale: Emotional neglect involves failing to meet a child’s emotional needs,
leading to developmental or social delays.
11. Which of the following is considered a risk factor for child abuse?
A. Parental substance abuse
B. Supportive family environment
C. Stable employment
D. Positive community involvement
Answer: A. Parental substance abuse
Rationale: Risk factors include substance abuse, domestic violence, poverty, or
caregiver stress, increasing likelihood of abuse.
12. Which of the following statements about shaken baby syndrome is
correct?
A. Shaking a baby can cause brain injury or death
B. It is a mild form of discipline
NEGLECT (CAAN) ACTUAL QUESTION
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
Overview:
This 100-question practice exam is designed to help students, child welfare professionals, and
mandated reporters prepare for the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) Child
Abuse and Neglect (CAAN) exam. It covers:
Physical Abuse – Signs, symptoms, and reporting requirements
Sexual Abuse – Indicators, disclosure patterns, and mandated reporting
Emotional Abuse and Neglect – Behavioral, emotional, and developmental effects
Supervisory and Medical Neglect – Failure to meet basic safety, healthcare, and
emotional needs
Mandated Reporting – Legal responsibilities, procedures, and best practices
Risk Factors and Red Flags – Identifying potential abuse or neglect in children
1. Which of the following is considered physical abuse?
A. A child having a scraped knee from falling on the playground
B. Hitting a child with a belt leaving bruises
C. A child refusing to eat
D. Accidental bump during sports
Answer: B. Hitting a child with a belt leaving bruises
Rationale: Physical abuse involves intentionally causing physical harm to a child,
including hitting with objects or hands.
2. Which of the following is an example of neglect?
A. Not providing adequate food, clothing, or supervision
B. Punishing a child for lying
,C. Disciplining a child for breaking rules
D. A child refusing to do homework
Answer: A. Not providing adequate food, clothing, or supervision
Rationale: Neglect is the failure to provide for a child’s basic physical, emotional,
medical, or educational needs.
3. Which of the following behaviors is most consistent with emotional abuse?
A. Yelling, belittling, or threatening a child frequently
B. Setting consistent rules
C. Allowing natural consequences for mistakes
D. Teaching problem-solving skills
Answer: A. Yelling, belittling, or threatening a child frequently
Rationale: Emotional abuse involves behaviors that harm a child’s self-esteem or
emotional well-being.
4. Which of the following is a sign of sexual abuse in children?
A. Sudden regression in behavior, such as bedwetting
B. Normal social interactions
C. Interest in age-appropriate activities
D. Excitement about school
Answer: A. Sudden regression in behavior, such as bedwetting
Rationale: Sexual abuse can cause behavioral changes, including regression,
fearfulness, or inappropriate sexual knowledge.
5. Mandated reporters are required to:
A. Report suspected abuse or neglect immediately
B. Investigate the family themselves
C. Wait until abuse is confirmed
D. Only report physical abuse
,Answer: A. Report suspected abuse or neglect immediately
Rationale: Mandated reporters must report suspicions promptly; they are not
responsible for investigating or proving abuse.
6. Which of the following is NOT considered a mandated reporter?
A. Teacher
B. Pediatrician
C. Social worker
D. Grocery store cashier
Answer: D. Grocery store cashier
Rationale: Mandated reporters are professionals working with children, such as
educators, healthcare providers, and social services staff.
7. Bruises in which location are most concerning for abuse?
A. Shins
B. Knees
C. Ears, neck, or torso
D. Elbows
Answer: C. Ears, neck, or torso
Rationale: Bruises in protected areas or unusual patterns are suspicious for abuse
rather than accidental injury.
8. Which of the following is a common behavioral indicator of neglect?
A. Consistently appearing dirty or hungry
B. Showing pride in academic achievement
C. Participating in sports
D. Seeking friends
Answer: A. Consistently appearing dirty or hungry
Rationale: Neglect often presents as unmet physical needs, including poor
hygiene, malnutrition, or lack of supervision.
, 9. Which statement about sexual abuse disclosure is correct?
A. Children often delay disclosure
B. Children immediately tell someone
C. Children always lie about abuse
D. Disclosure always occurs in private
Answer: A. Children often delay disclosure
Rationale: Many children take time to disclose abuse due to fear, shame, or
manipulation by the abuser.
10. Which of the following is a sign of emotional neglect?
A. Lack of affection or attention from caregivers
B. A scraped knee from falling
C. Sleeping in a messy room
D. Watching television too long
Answer: A. Lack of affection or attention from caregivers
Rationale: Emotional neglect involves failing to meet a child’s emotional needs,
leading to developmental or social delays.
11. Which of the following is considered a risk factor for child abuse?
A. Parental substance abuse
B. Supportive family environment
C. Stable employment
D. Positive community involvement
Answer: A. Parental substance abuse
Rationale: Risk factors include substance abuse, domestic violence, poverty, or
caregiver stress, increasing likelihood of abuse.
12. Which of the following statements about shaken baby syndrome is
correct?
A. Shaking a baby can cause brain injury or death
B. It is a mild form of discipline
