Deck 24: Forensic Nursing

Question 1

The nurse demonstrates an understanding of the physical effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)when implementing which intervention for a patient who was abducted and assaulted three months ago?

A) Regular evaluations for suicidal thoughts
B) Explaining the need for appropriate use of a rescue inhaler
C) Providing reinforcement for the patient's new exercise program
D) Evaluating the patient's understanding of the proper use of analgesic medications

Answer 1

Evaluating the patient's understanding of the proper use of analgesic medications

Question 2

To best address the assault victim's psychosocial needs,the forensic nurse:

A) Warns the family that the patient will likely be suicidal
B) Suggests that the family provide continuous supervision of the patient for at least 30 days
C) Encourages the patient to discuss medication therapy with the physician prior to discharge from the ED
D) Provides education to both the patient and the family regarding the signs of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Answer 2

Provides education to both the patient and the family regarding the signs of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Question 3

Which nursing intervention will best improve an inmate's likelihood of not re-offending and thus not returning to the correctional system?

A) Frequently screening inmates for mental health disorders
B) Providing mandatory inmate focused anger management workshops
C) Providing as needed (prn) medications for inmates with a history of depression
D) Working with the families to prepare them for the inmates scheduled release

Answer 3

Frequently screening inmates for mental health disorders

Question 4

Which intervention is considered a responsibility of the forensic nurse working within the correctional prison system?

A) Counseling inmate families
B) Identifying postdischarge community resources
C) Providing health care services to the prison staff
D) Protecting the legal rights of the inmates while incarcerated

Question 5

When preparing an educational session for urban adolescents concerning the personal impact of violence in their communities,the nurse includes information on:

A) The need to report all incidences of violence to the local police
B) How depression and anxiety can result from living in a violent environment
C) The role of drug and alcohol abuse in the making of a violent neighborhood
D) The role that neighborhood police officers play in the management of violence

Question 6

A patient,brought into the ED by family members who reported a fall,shares that the injury was actually a result of physical abuse.The patient tells the nurse that this is to be kept confidential because,"that is my right." The nurse tells the patient that:

A) It is a patient right but it was intended to protect patients.
B) Nurses are required by law to report all incidents of abuse.
C) The report will not mention the patient's admission that abuse has occurred.
D) The abuser needs to be stopped before they go on to really cause the patient harm.

Question 7

Based on the importance of recognizing all the important elements for their role as part of the assaulted patient's context or environment of care,the nurse will:

A) Keep the family well informed of the patient's status and plan of care.
B) Document the patient's statement for the purpose of future legal proceedings.
C) Provide the staff with a detailed shift change report including the patient's state of mind.
D) Notify the local police with updates concerning the patient's health status and verbal statements.

Question 8

When encouraging healthy coping mechanisms for a group of parents attending a workshop for families who have lost children to violent crimes,the nurse focuses on:

A) Discussing how the fathers are attempting to accept the death
B) Providing the fathers with information on the value of crying
C) Discussing the problems that occur when women suppress their feelings
D) Encouraging the mothers to adopt a rigorous exercise plan to help manage grief

Question 9

Which therapeutic outcome has resulted from the introduction of the specialized SANE nurse?

A) ED staff are no longer involved in the care of rape victims.
B) Retraumatizing of the rape victim has been decreased greatly.
C) The rights of both the rape victim and the rapist are preserved.
D) The rape victim is assured quality physical and mental healthcare.

Question 10

Which intervention should be given highest priority when attempting to gain the trust of the members of an urban family whose child has been violently assaulted and is in critical condition?

A) Discussing the family needs with the child's multidisciplinary care team
B) Constantly assuring them that their child is receiving quality nursing care
C) Encouraging and respecting their right to ask questions about their child and the child's care
D) Keeping them updated on the health and emotional status of their child during each shift

Question 11

When providing care to an assault victim,the forensic nurse will initially:

A) Notify the police that an assault has occurred.
B) Assess the individual for any resulting physical trauma.
C) Bag all clothing to preserve any relevant evidence.
D) Determine whether the victim as been sexually assaulted as well.

Question 12

Which nursing intervention demonstrates an understanding of the coping mechanisms often used by individuals who are not receiving formal treatment for their symptoms of postassault anxiety and stress?

A) Providing smoking cessation materials
B) Discussing the importance of safe sex
C) Assessing for the abuse of marijuana
D) Monitoring for weight gain since the assault

Question 13

What is the primary expected outcome when a victim of a violent crime is initially attended to by a forensic nurse?

A) Their physical injuries will be assessed and treated.
B) The evidence of the assault from their body will be preserved.
C) The legal system will be provided with evidence of the crime.
D) Their long-term emotional health will be of primary concern.

Question 14

Which intervention demonstrates the SANE nurse's unique attention to the assessment of a sexual assault?

A) Conducting the assessment in the most private exam room
B) Not directly questioning the patient about the attack or the attacker
C) Identifying that the patient is showing signs of anxiety by withdrawing
D) Meticulously assessing the patient for signs of any resulting physical trauma

Question 15

Which intervention demonstrates that the nurse understands the risk factors for the commission of violent crimes?

A) Reinforcement of anger management skills
B) Substance abuse rehabilitation counseling
C) Community focused depression screenings
D) Counseling for adult victims of child abuse