Florida Child Protection Investigator (CPI) Certification Practice Test

Mary tested positive for cocaine at delivery. What type of maltreatment would need to be investigated?

1. Inadequate supervision

2. Substance misuse

3. Environmental hazards

4. Failure to protect

The correct answer is: Substance misuse

Substance misuse is the correct type of maltreatment that would need to be investigated in this scenario. When a mother tests positive for cocaine at delivery, it indicates that she has used an illicit substance during her pregnancy, which can have serious effects on both her health and the health of her newborn. This situation raises significant concerns about the mother's ability to provide a safe and healthy environment for her child. Investigating substance misuse is critical in determining if the use of cocaine affects parenting capabilities and if it poses a risk to the child's safety and well-being. Child protection services focus on understanding the extent of the mother's substance use, its impact on the child's immediate and long-term health, and the need for support services for both the mother and child. In this context, other options might touch on related issues but do not directly capture the essence of the maltreatment involving substance use that warrants investigation. For instance, inadequate supervision might relate to a lack of oversight in different contexts, but it does not specifically address the implications of drug use. Environmental hazards could relate to physical risks but are not indicative of substance-related issues impacting child safety. Failure to protect is too broad and doesn't specifically denote the issue of substance misuse that necessitates investigation.