CFN - Certified Forensic Nurse Ethical and Professional Practice Questions and Answers

Question 1

A forensic nurse is caring for a patient who has disclosed a sexual assault.
The patient is emotionally distressed and asks the nurse, "Do you think I should report this to the police?" Which response by the nurse best navigates the ethical conflict between the therapeutic and forensic roles?

Accepted Answer

"That's a decision only you can make. I can explain the process of reporting and connect you with a legal advocate who can provide advice."

Answer

"Yes, you absolutely should report. It's the only way to ensure the person who did this is held accountable."

Answer

"Let's focus on your medical and emotional needs right now; we can talk about the legal aspects later."

Answer

"Reporting can be a very difficult and re-traumatizing process, so many people choose not to."

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the professional and ethical responsibility of a Certified Forensic Nurse regarding vicarious trauma?

Accepted Answer

To engage in self-care and seek professional support to mitigate its effects and maintain fitness to practice.

Answer

To suppress personal emotional responses to trauma exposure in order to maintain complete objectivity.

Answer

To accept vicarious trauma as an unavoidable occupational hazard that does not require specific intervention.

Answer

To debrief about specific, graphic case details with a personal support system to process the events.

Question 3

A forensic nurse is documenting an injury on a patient's arm. Which of the following statements falls outside the appropriate scope of practice for the nurse's documentation?

Accepted Answer

"This is a defensive injury, sustained as the patient tried to fend off an attack."

Answer

"The patient states the injury occurred when their partner twisted their arm."

Answer

"There is a 6 cm purple, ecchymotic area on the upper right arm with faint impressions of digits."

Answer

"The injury appears consistent with a forceful gripping of the arm."

Question 4

A forensic nurse is caring for a teenager who discloses they were sexually assaulted by another minor. The nurse understands their state has mandatory reporting laws for child abuse. In this situation, the nurse's primary ethical obligation is to:

Accepted Answer

Follow the state's mandatory reporting law while providing support to the patient.

Answer

Maintain the patient's confidentiality above all else to preserve the therapeutic relationship.

Answer

Ask the patient's parents for permission before making a report to the authorities.

Answer

Report the incident only if the patient explicitly consents to the report being made.

Question 5

A patient seen by a forensic nurse for an assault examination later sends the nurse a private message and a friend request on a personal social media platform. Which action is most consistent with maintaining professional boundaries?

Accepted Answer

Politely decline the request, explaining that professional policy prevents connecting with patients on personal social media to protect their privacy and the therapeutic relationship.

Answer

Do not accept the request and do not respond to the private message.

Answer

Accept the request but change privacy settings to limit what the former patient can see.

Answer

Report the patient's contact to a supervisor as a potential boundary violation.

Question 6

When obtaining informed consent for a medical forensic examination, the nurse explains the purpose of each procedure, potential benefits, possible risks, and the patient's right to refuse any or all parts of the exam. This detailed process primarily upholds which core ethical principle?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Justice

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

A forensic nurse is caring for a patient who has disclosed a sexual assault.The patient is emotionally distressed and asks the nurse, "Do you think I should report this to the police?" Which response by the nurse best navigates the ethical conflict between the therapeutic and forensic roles?

A forensic nurse is caring for a patient who has disclosed a sexual assault.
The patient is emotionally distressed and asks the nurse, "Do you think I should report this to the police?" Which response by the nurse best navigates the ethical conflict between the therapeutic and forensic roles?