CFN - Certified Forensic Nurse Victim Assessment and Documentation Questions and Answers

Question 1

When documenting a patient's account of an assault, which of the following is the MOST appropriate action for the Certified Forensic Nurse?

Accepted Answer

Use direct quotes from the patient whenever possible.

Answer

Forensic documentation requires objectivity and accuracy. Using the patient's own words in direct quotations is the best practice to avoid interpretation or bias. This ensures the record accurately reflects the patient's account for both medical and legal purposes. Paraphrasing, interpreting, or selectively documenting can compromise the integrity of the record.

Question 2

A forensic nurse is preparing to photograph injuries on a patient who has consented to the procedure. Which of the following steps is essential for ensuring the photographs are admissible as evidence?

Accepted Answer

Including a measuring scale and a case number in the initial 'bookend' photograph.

Answer

Proper forensic photodocumentation requires a systematic approach. An initial 'bookend' photograph should include patient identifiers, a case number, and a scale to establish context and size. Subsequent photos should include midrange and close-up shots of the injury, both with and without a scale. Deleting photos can be problematic, and it is the nurse's role, not law enforcement's, to take clinical photos. It is not necessary or appropriate to include the patient's face in every injury photo.

Question 3

During a victim assessment, the forensic nurse notes a series of bruises in different stages of healing. This finding is MOST indicative of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Ongoing or repeated physical abuse.

Answer

Bruises in various stages of healing (e.g., yellowish, greenish, bluish-purple) suggest that the injuries were inflicted at different times. This pattern is a significant clinical indicator of ongoing or repeated abuse, rather than a single event or accident.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a required component of a chain of custody document for a piece of forensic evidence?

Accepted Answer

The patient's full medical diagnosis.

Answer

The chain of custody is a legal document that tracks the possession of evidence to ensure its integrity. It must include who handled the evidence, when and where it was handled, and a description of the item. The patient's full medical diagnosis is part of the confidential medical record but is not a required element on the chain of custody form itself, which focuses on the evidence's journey.

Question 5

A patient arrives at the emergency department after a sexual assault that occurred 48 hours prior. The patient has showered but has not changed clothes. The patient consents to a medical forensic examination. What is the forensic nurse's best course of action regarding evidence collection?

Accepted Answer

Proceed with a full evidence collection kit, explaining that valuable evidence may still be recovered.

Answer

Even after a delay and activities like showering, evidence may still be present. Best practice is to proceed with a complete evidence collection, as trace evidence may still be found on clothing, and biological evidence may persist in certain areas of the body. The nurse should manage the patient's expectations but not withhold the option for a full examination.

(CFN) Certified Forensic Nurse Practice Test

(CFN) Certified Forensic Nurse Practice Test

CFN - Certified Forensic Nurse Victim Assessment and Documentation Questions and Answers