Forensic Nursing Flashcards
what are some settings forensic nurses work in?
ERs
ICUs
med-surg units
forensic nursing units
mental health settings
correctional facilities
coroners offices
courts
what are some of the roles of forensic nurses?
collect evidence
conduct death investigations
provide crises interventions
expert witnesses in court
sexual assault nurse examiner
bioterrorism, drug and alcohol abuse, disasters, suicide, tissue and organ donation, med error, arson
risk management, employee litigation, human rights abuse, insurance
forensic nursing, caring for victims of crime:
physical and psychological assess
obtain evidence
assess wounds
patient advocate
careful documentation
compassion for victim
death investigators
forensic nursing, caring for perpetrators:
care without bias
need not know offenses typically
patient rights
safety of caregivers
custody issues
forensic patient staffing, how many per pt?
2 officers per pt
what is the purpose of forensic patient staffing?
protect you
prevent escape
prevent property damage
how are pt. restrained in hospital?
2 limbs shackled to bed.
officers do NOT help with health care task but can unlock cuff to turn pt.
why would cuffs need to be temporarily removed?
repositioning
care
treatments
officers and patient care info?
curtain OPEN btw officers and you and the pt.
officer at the bedside and door
privy to medical info (bound by HIPPA)
officers do not participate in care
focus on the pt.
limit conversations with officers
what are the precautions and safety points related to care of inmates?
no sharing of PERSONAL INFO
careful what items are brought into room, that may be used as a weapon
no info regarding TIMES
info on care, diagnosis and treatment is ok
no visitors
no sharing of info w/ callers
No WiFi
what are some potential weapons for inmates?
stethoscopes
pencils/pens
metal utensils
ceramic plates
syringes and needles
can forensic patient refuse care?
yes
what is the nurses role in preventing violence?
keep pain under control
treat w/ respect
act as an advocate
what are the challenges in taking pt. history of inmates?
might be missing pieces
take care with fluids
be guarded with info
personal bias
pt. can be manipulative
risk for assault
what must we document in relation to forensic pt?
CMS to restrained extremities
what restraints are being used
inappropriate comments or behaviors
all other regular things
what are two kinds of restraints used on forensic pt?
custodial restraints
soft restraints (medical restraints)
what are the general nursing priorities heirarchy?
- life threatening
- safety issues
- intense pain
- scheduled time
- incontinence
- pt/family anxious
- communication
- other
what are Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?
- physiological needs
- safety and security
- love/belonging
- self-esteem
- self-actualization
what are 6 skills in providing care?
- assessment
- active listening
- collaboration
- communication
- interventions
- evaluate outcomes
what does an assessment help you to do?
decide which pt. should receive care first
what is important to communicate and collaborate with CNAs?
who is taking vital signs
what is critical thinking defined as?
disciplined thinking that is clear, rational, and informed by evidence
used to solve problems
what is critical reasoning defined as?
the critical thinker is able to integrate an existing knowledge base into the clinical experience
what are some considerations to decide priorities?
- is it a life threatening situation?
- needs immediate attention?
- what does pt. view as most important
- how much time will prob. take?
- are any of the problems related?
