CFN Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the CFN exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 CFN Exam Format at a Glance
📚 CFN Topics to Study (69)
✍️ Sample CFN Questions & Answers
1. During cross-examination, a defense attorney asks a forensic nurse to speculate beyond her documented findings. What is the most appropriate response?
Expert witnesses must confine testimony to their area of expertise and documented findings, refusing to speculate beyond the evidence.
2. How should a SANE handle a disclosure of sexual assault by a pediatric patient during examination?
SANEs are mandatory reporters; a child's disclosure requires immediate documentation of exact words used and a mandatory report to child protective services.
3. Which factor is LEAST relevant when determining whether a forensic nurse qualifies as an expert witness?
Years since graduation alone does not establish expertise; relevant qualifications include specialized training, certification, clinical experience, and scholarship.
4. Which of the following best describes the principle of 'trustworthiness and transparency' in trauma-informed care?
Trustworthiness requires nurses to be transparent about what will happen during the exam and what information may be shared, restoring predictability for trauma survivors.
5. A forensic nurse is deposed prior to trial. What is the primary purpose of a deposition in civil litigation?
A deposition preserves a witness's sworn testimony under oath, which can be used at trial for impeachment or if the witness is unavailable.
6. What is the primary ethical duty of a forensic nurse?
The primary ethical duty of a forensic nurse is to ensure the welfare of the patient while upholding the highest ethical standards of the nursing profession. This involves advocating for the patient's rights, maintaining confidentiality, and providing compassionate care, even when balancing these duties with legal obligations. Patient well-being is paramount in all forensic interactions.