CFN Courtroom Testimony and Procedures 5

Question 1

A forensic nurse is testifying when the judge sustains an objection to a question that has already been partially answered. The nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Stop immediately and await further instruction from the judge

Answer

When a judge sustains an objection, testimony must cease immediately; the judge may instruct the jury to disregard what was said.

Question 2

Which ethical obligation must a forensic nurse maintain when retained by the defense rather than the prosecution?

Accepted Answer

Provide objective, unbiased, and scientifically accurate testimony regardless of which side retained her

Answer

Expert witnesses owe their primary duty to the court and the truth, not to the retaining party, regardless of which side has engaged them.

Question 3

The Frye standard for admissibility of expert testimony requires that the scientific method used be:

Accepted Answer

Generally accepted within the relevant scientific community

Answer

The Frye standard, used in some jurisdictions, holds that scientific evidence is admissible only if the underlying methodology is generally accepted by the relevant scientific community.

Question 4

A forensic nurse who testifies falsely while under oath may face which consequence?

Accepted Answer

Criminal charges for perjury in addition to professional disciplinary action

Answer

Perjury is a criminal offense, and a forensic nurse who lies under oath may face criminal prosecution as well as licensure sanctions and reputational damage.

Question 5

When a forensic nurse is asked to estimate the age of injuries based on wound characteristics, she should express this finding as:

Accepted Answer

An estimate within a range, noting the limitations of injury dating

Answer

Injury aging is inherently imprecise; responsible testimony acknowledges the range of estimates and the variables that affect wound appearance over time.

(CFN) Certified Forensic Nurse Practice Test

(CFN) Certified Forensic Nurse Practice Test

CFN Courtroom Testimony and Procedures 5