Forensic Nursing Flashcards
After attending to a patients immediate medical needs, a forensic nurse often does what?
(3)
collects evidence,
provides medical testimony in court, and
consults with legal authorities
What type of patients does a forensic nurse see?
Care provided to patients who are likely to lead to a civil or criminal proceeding, legal hearing, or arbitration.
What is a SANE nurse?
Sexual assault nurse examiner
What is a SAFE ?
Who is qualifiedtofill the role?
SAFE - Sexual assault forensic examiner - May be an RN, a physician, or a PA
What is an FNE?- Forensic Nurse Examiner
FNE - Forensic Nurse Examiner - Nurse who has been trained to see all types of forensic patients
What is a Danger assessment tool ?
Danger assessment tool - helps emergency nurses identify women at risk for being killed by an intimate partner
Should a nurse document excited utterance or spontaneous statements made under duress such as :he shot me” even if the patient is impaired by alcohol or drugs, medications, dementia, or a psychological disorder?
Yes
When documenting, is it sometimes appropriate to replace the term “refused” with “declined”?
Yes
What is the method for removing clothing from a patient to gather evidence?
Place two clean sheets on the floor, one on top of each other and lay the clothes on top of the two sheets. Separate each piece of clothing to prevent cross contamination of one clothing item to the other.
If possible, have the patient undress him or herself on the top sheet
Place the bottom sheet in the soiled linen
What should you do with the sheets the patient used?
Place the bottom sheet in the soiled linen.
Collect the sheet from the EMS stretcher and the hospital stretcher.
What type of bag should you use for evidence?
Place each individual item into a separate clean paper bag, which facilitates the drying of contents.
Do not use plastic bags which allow moisture condensation and cause degradation of evidenc
What are some things to consider when packaging clothes for evidence?
If the clothes are moist, allow to air dry before packaging them.
Seal the bag with time, date, and initials, not staples, or use a label.
Document the collected items with description.
What should you do with a gunshot wound before sending the patient to surgery?
Obtain swabs of he exterior of a gunshot wound before sending the patient to surgery
How should you go about obtaining swabs from a deceased person?
Do not swab any stains on a deceased person unless you have permission from a medical examiner or coroner.
What should you do with swabs before packaging?
After collection, let the swab air dry before packaging, record the swabs appearance and location, and write your initials on the tape
What should you do if a patient has firearm injuries?
If a patient has firearm injuries, apply paper bags over the patients hands until law enforcement can test them for gunpowder residue
What should you do when you collect minute debris, such as glitter?
Collect minute debris, such as glitter, on a piece of sticky tape and stick it to a slide from the laboratory, wrap the slide in paper, put it in an envelope, and seal and label.
What should you use to handle projectiles, as not to scratch them?
Use forceps with rubber tips to handle projectiles, as not to scratch them. Place each projectile in a separate item in a small individual container along with sterile gauze.
What should you do with all firearms?
Ensure that firearms are secured by police.
How should you go about Maintaining the chain of custody (of evidence)?
(4)
Document the evidence transfer in your nurses note and include;
Both parties signatures
The officers badge number
The officers jurisdiction
Body maps and photographs, do you need both?
Photos should not be used to replace diagrams
Photos should follow the rule of four;what is the rule of four?
What other for things are needed when labeling
One long range which includes the face
One medium range
One with a ruler (or object such as a coin)
One without a ruler
Label the photos with the patients name, time, date, and case or MRN
Are The terms bruise and ecchymosis synonymous?
3
No
A bruise is the result of blunt force that damages blood vessels
Ecchymosis is usually caused by a slow hemorrhagic leak into the skin
The age of a bruise cannot be determined by its color
Are The terms “cut” and “laceration” synonymous?
No
Lacerations result from the tearing or splitting of the skin or another organ by blunt or shearing force
Cuts or incisions are caused by cutting the skin or another organ with a sharp object, such as a knife or scalpel
