CFN Trauma-Informed Patient Care & Assessmen 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the principle of 'trustworthiness and transparency' in trauma-informed care?
- Sharing all clinical findings with law enforcement immediately
- Clearly explaining procedures, processes, and limits of confidentiality to the patient (Correct answer)
- Maintaining strict confidentiality by withholding all information from outside parties
- Conducting anonymous patient surveys to improve care quality
Correct answer: Clearly explaining procedures, processes, and limits of confidentiality to the patient
Trustworthiness requires nurses to be transparent about what will happen during the exam and what information may be shared, restoring predictability for trauma survivors.
Question 2: A patient with PTSD undergoes a mandatory forensic examination for legal proceedings. She becomes hypervigilant and trembles throughout. The nurse's priority intervention is:
- Administer anxiolytics immediately to facilitate completion of the exam
- Proceed quickly to minimize the duration of distress
- Engage grounding techniques such as deep breathing and orient the patient to present safety (Correct answer)
- Postpone the exam indefinitely to avoid re-traumatization
Correct answer: Engage grounding techniques such as deep breathing and orient the patient to present safety
Grounding techniques help hyperaroused trauma patients remain present during necessary procedures, balancing legal requirements with compassionate care.
Question 3: Which of the following statements about trauma bonding in IPV patients is accurate?
- Trauma bonding is rare and occurs only in long-term relationships
- It is a psychological response in which the victim develops strong emotional attachment to the abuser (Correct answer)
- Trauma bonding indicates the victim is complicit in the abuse
- It resolves immediately once the patient is removed from the abusive situation
Correct answer: It is a psychological response in which the victim develops strong emotional attachment to the abuser
Trauma bonding is a well-documented psychological response characterized by deep emotional attachment to an abuser, often developed through cycles of abuse and intermittent reinforcement.
Question 4: When a non-English-speaking patient presents for a forensic sexual assault examination, the interpreter should be:
- A family member to ensure comfort and accurate translation
- A professional medical interpreter who is not a family member or friend of the patient (Correct answer)
- Law enforcement personnel fluent in the patient's language
- A bilingual staff member from any department for convenience
Correct answer: A professional medical interpreter who is not a family member or friend of the patient
Professional medical interpreters protect patient confidentiality and avoid the trauma compounded by disclosing assault in front of family or acquaintances.
Question 5: The forensic nurse documents that a patient exhibits 'flat affect' during the assault history interview. This finding most likely reflects:
- Dishonesty and fabrication of the assault
- A normal trauma response involving emotional numbing and dissociation (Correct answer)
- Psychosis requiring psychiatric emergency intervention
- Indifference indicating the assault was consensual
Correct answer: A normal trauma response involving emotional numbing and dissociation
Flat affect is a recognized trauma response reflecting emotional numbing; it should not be misinterpreted as indicating deception or lack of distress.
Question 6: A pediatric patient discloses abuse to the forensic nurse during a medical exam. The nurse's immediate mandatory obligation is:
- Notify the parents before contacting child protective services
- Report to child protective services and/or law enforcement as required by mandatory reporting laws (Correct answer)
- Wait for the physician to confirm the disclosure before taking action
- Document the disclosure and discuss reporting with the patient first
Correct answer: Report to child protective services and/or law enforcement as required by mandatory reporting laws
Forensic nurses are mandatory reporters; disclosure of child abuse obligates immediate reporting to child protective services and/or law enforcement regardless of parental consent.
Question 7: Which principle of trauma-informed care addresses the recognition that survivors often feel isolated and helps rebuild connection?
- Empowerment
- Peer support and mutuality (Correct answer)
- Cultural sensitivity
- Safety
Correct answer: Peer support and mutuality
Peer support and mutuality recognize that healing happens in relationship with others, and connecting survivors with peer advocates or support groups reduces isolation.
CFN Trauma-Informed Patient Care & Assessmen 4
Which of the following best describes the principle of 'trustworthiness and transparency' in trauma-informed care?