CFN Trauma-Informed Care Strategies 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A forensic nurse is caring for a sexual assault survivor who becomes silent and dissociates during the exam. What is the most appropriate immediate response?
- Continue the exam quickly to minimize total time
- Pause, gently ground the patient using sensory techniques, and ask if they want to continue (Correct answer)
- Document the dissociation and proceed without interruption
- Administer a sedative to calm the patient
Correct answer: Pause, gently ground the patient using sensory techniques, and ask if they want to continue
Pausing and using grounding techniques respects the patient's autonomy and helps them return to the present moment before continuing.
Question 2: Which of the following best defines 'secondary traumatic stress' as it relates to forensic nurses?
- Physical injury sustained while restraining a patient
- Emotional distress resulting from indirect exposure to a patient's traumatic experiences (Correct answer)
- Burnout caused by excessive workload
- Stress from conflicts with hospital administration
Correct answer: Emotional distress resulting from indirect exposure to a patient's traumatic experiences
Secondary traumatic stress occurs when clinicians absorb the trauma of those they care for through empathic engagement.
Question 3: When obtaining consent from a domestic violence survivor for forensic photography, the nurse should:
- Obtain verbal consent only, as written forms can re-traumatize
- Obtain written informed consent and explain how images will be used and stored (Correct answer)
- Proceed without consent if injuries are severe, for evidentiary purposes
- Delegate consent to the attending physician
Correct answer: Obtain written informed consent and explain how images will be used and stored
Written informed consent ensures the patient understands the purpose, storage, and potential use of forensic photographs in legal proceedings.
Question 4: A trauma-informed approach to interviewing child abuse victims prioritizes which of the following?
- Using leading questions to quickly identify perpetrators
- Conducting interviews with parents present to reduce child anxiety
- Using non-leading, open-ended questions in a child-friendly environment (Correct answer)
- Completing the interview in one session regardless of child fatigue
Correct answer: Using non-leading, open-ended questions in a child-friendly environment
Non-leading, open-ended questions preserve the integrity of disclosures and minimize re-traumatization in child forensic interviews.
Question 5: The SAMHSA framework for trauma-informed care includes six key principles. Which principle ensures patients feel physically and emotionally safe during forensic encounters?
- Empowerment
- Safety (Correct answer)
- Collaboration and mutuality
- Peer support
Correct answer: Safety
Safety is the foundational SAMHSA principle that ensures both physical and emotional security throughout all interactions.
Question 6: A forensic nurse notices that a trafficking victim becomes hostile and refuses care. The most trauma-informed response is to:
- Involve security personnel to ensure compliance
- Recognize hostility as a possible trauma response and offer to continue care at the patient's own pace (Correct answer)
- Document refusal and discharge the patient immediately
- Request a psychiatric consult before proceeding with any forensic exam
Correct answer: Recognize hostility as a possible trauma response and offer to continue care at the patient's own pace
Hostility in trafficking victims often reflects prior experiences of coercion; allowing the patient to set the pace rebuilds trust.
Question 7: Which environmental modification best supports a trauma-informed forensic examination space?
- Bright overhead lighting to improve visibility during exams
- A private room with patient-controlled lighting, a gown option, and access to a support person (Correct answer)
- Mirrors placed strategically to allow the nurse to monitor the patient
- Locked doors to ensure confidentiality during the exam
Correct answer: A private room with patient-controlled lighting, a gown option, and access to a support person
Patient-controlled elements like lighting and a support person's presence restore a sense of agency and reduce re-traumatization.
CFN Trauma-Informed Care Strategies 2
A forensic nurse is caring for a sexual assault survivor who becomes silent and dissociates during the exam.
What is the most appropriate immediate response?