CFN Legal & Ethical Responsibilities in Forensic Nursing 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A forensic nurse is asked by a defense attorney to review evidence in a case involving her former patient. The most appropriate response is to:
- Agree if compensation is offered
- Decline due to the conflict of interest from prior nurse-patient relationship (Correct answer)
- Provide only de-identified information
- Consult the prosecutor before deciding
Correct answer: Decline due to the conflict of interest from prior nurse-patient relationship
A prior nurse-patient relationship creates a conflict of interest that compromises objectivity required of forensic experts.
Question 2: When collecting forensic evidence, the chain of custody is best described as:
- The hierarchy of command in a forensic nursing unit
- A documented chronological record tracking evidence possession and handling (Correct answer)
- The sequence of clinical assessments performed
- The order in which law enforcement processes a scene
Correct answer: A documented chronological record tracking evidence possession and handling
Chain of custody is the documented trail showing who collected, handled, and transferred evidence to ensure its integrity.
Question 3: A minor presents for a sexual assault examination without a parent. Under which circumstance may a forensic nurse proceed without parental consent?
- When the minor is 15 years of age
- When the minor is a mature minor or emancipated, or in an emergency (Correct answer)
- Only after law enforcement grants permission
- Never; parental consent is always required for minors
Correct answer: When the minor is a mature minor or emancipated, or in an emergency
Emancipated minors, mature minors, and emergency situations are recognized legal exceptions to the parental consent requirement.
Question 4: Which ethical principle is MOST directly violated when a forensic nurse shares case photographs on social media, even without identifying information?
- Justice
- Veracity
- Nonmaleficence (Correct answer)
- Fidelity
Correct answer: Nonmaleficence
Sharing patient-related forensic images risks psychological and legal harm, violating the principle of nonmaleficence (do no harm).
Question 5: A forensic nurse's documentation of injuries must be objective primarily because:
- Subjective notes are inadmissible in all courts
- Objective documentation withstands legal scrutiny and accurately reflects findings (Correct answer)
- Insurance companies require objective language
- Subjective language is prohibited by nursing license boards
Correct answer: Objective documentation withstands legal scrutiny and accurately reflects findings
Objective, factual documentation is legally defensible and accurately represents clinical findings without bias or interpretation.
Question 6: A forensic nurse suspects that a colleague is impaired during a patient examination. The nurse's ethical obligation is to:
- Complete the shift and report at the next scheduled review
- Intervene immediately to protect patient safety and report per institutional policy (Correct answer)
- Allow the colleague to self-report when ready
- Document only if a patient complaint is filed
Correct answer: Intervene immediately to protect patient safety and report per institutional policy
Patient safety requires immediate intervention when a colleague appears impaired, followed by reporting through proper channels.
Question 7: The ethical concept of 'justice' in forensic nursing practice most directly refers to:
- Ensuring perpetrators are prosecuted
- Fair, equitable treatment and resource distribution regardless of patient background (Correct answer)
- Achieving the best legal outcome for victims
- Following the legal system's decisions without question
Correct answer: Fair, equitable treatment and resource distribution regardless of patient background
Justice as an ethical principle requires forensic nurses to provide fair and impartial care regardless of a patient's background or circumstances.
CFN Legal & Ethical Responsibilities in Forensic Nursing 3
A forensic nurse is asked by a defense attorney to review evidence in a case involving her former patient.
The most appropriate response is to: