CFN Victim Assessment and Documentation 2

Question 1

When documenting injuries on a body diagram for a sexual assault victim, which principle should guide the forensic nurse's notation?

Accepted Answer

Document all observed findings using objective, anatomically precise terminology

Answer

Record only injuries the victim identifies as painful

Answer

Sketch injuries approximately and rely on written narrative for accuracy

Answer

Defer diagram completion until after law enforcement reviews the case

Question 2

A forensic nurse is assessing a strangulation victim. Which finding most strongly indicates internal injury requiring immediate medical evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Petechiae on the conjunctiva and face

Answer

Minor redness at the anterior neck

Answer

Patient denies difficulty swallowing

Answer

Superficial abrasions along the jawline

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the chain of custody in forensic evidence collection?

Accepted Answer

A documented process tracking every person who handles evidence from collection to court

Answer

A record ensuring evidence is reviewed by at least three clinicians

Answer

A hospital policy requiring evidence to be frozen within one hour of collection

Answer

A legal requirement that victims consent to evidence release before collection

Question 4

During a forensic assessment of a domestic violence victim, the patient recants her initial disclosure. The nurse's priority is to:

Accepted Answer

Document the recantation while preserving original objective findings in the record

Answer

Amend all documentation to reflect the recantation as the factual account

Answer

Notify law enforcement that the case should be closed

Answer

Counsel the patient that recantation will result in legal penalties

Question 5

A SANE nurse photographs injuries on a sexual assault patient. Which photographic technique provides the best forensic documentation of a bruise?

Accepted Answer

Close-up photo with a color-calibrated ruler placed adjacent to the injury

Answer

Single wide-angle photo of the entire body

Answer

Photo taken under standard overhead fluorescent lighting only

Answer

Photo obtained 24 hours post-assault to allow bruising to fully develop before documentation

Question 6

Which factor most significantly affects the ability to recover DNA from a sexual assault victim's oral cavity?

Accepted Answer

Time elapsed since the assault and whether the victim ate, drank, or brushed teeth

Answer

The victim's blood type and secretor status

Answer

Whether the victim was intoxicated at the time of the assault

Answer

The age and gender of the perpetrator

Question 7

When assessing a pediatric sexual abuse victim, which interviewing approach is most consistent with forensic best practice?

Accepted Answer

Use the CornerHouse RATAC or NICHD protocol with a trained forensic interviewer

Answer

Conduct a joint interview with the child's parent present to improve comfort

Answer

Ask leading yes/no questions to minimize child distress

Answer

Conduct repeated interviews across multiple sessions with different providers