Ch 32: Forensic and Correctional
Nursing Questions and Answers
Updated 2026
Which of the following best describe how the prevalence of violence and violent crimes has changed
the professional practice of health care providers?
a. Vulnerable groups are now assessed for evidence of abuse.
b. The focus has now shifted from patient care toward more personal safety.
c. It is now recognized that new specialties continue to be created.
d. Each patient is now routinely screened for violence. - AnswerANS: D
All persons should be assessed for evidence of abuse, not just vulnerable groups. Screening for
violence is now considered to be a minimum standard of care for all clients.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: p. 619
If a forensic nurse was employed in the most widely recognized subspecialty in forensic nursing,
which of the following would be the nurse's primary tasks?
a. Be employed by insurance companies to review and interpret medical records
b. Complete the death certificate, including causes of death
c. Do a history and physical assessment and collect evidence
d. Review the crime scene for insights with police officers - AnswerANS: C
Sexual assault forensic examiner (SANE) is the most widely recognized subspecialty in forensic
nursing. The SANE collects forensic evidence related to a reported crime and frequently testifies as
an expert witness at subsequent trials.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: p. 620
A forensic nurse is responsible for conducting a thorough examination, including a history,
performing a physical assessment, and collecting forensic evidence on a female client following a
rape. In which of the following subspecialties of forensic nursing is this nurse practicing?
a. Sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE)
b. Nurse coroner
c. Legal nurse consultant
d. Forensic nurse death investigator - AnswerANS: A
, A SANE is a specially trained registered nurse who applies the nursing process during forensic
examinations to victims or perpetrators of sexual assault. The SANE collects forensic evidence related
to a reported crime and frequently testifies as an expert witness at subsequent trials. If the client is
medically stable, the SANE is responsible for conducting a thorough examination, including obtaining
a history, performing the physical assessment, and collecting forensic evidence. The nurse coroner
would be responsible for ensuring that appropriate measures were taken to perform death
investigations and certify death certificates. Legal nurse consultants provide assistance within the
legal system using specialized nursing knowledge and expertise when interactions of law and health
issues arise. The forensic nurse death investigator evaluates the death scene from a holistic nursing
perspective and might interpret the scene differently.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: p. 620
Which of the following causes of death on a death certificate would need correction by the forensic
nurse?
a. Accident
b. Homicide
c. Natural
d. Suicide
e. Untimely - AnswerANS: E
The National Association of Medical Examiners identifies five acceptable options for recording
manner of death: (1) natural, (2) accident, (3) suicide, (4) homicide, and (5) undetermined.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remember (Knowledge) REF: p. 621
Which of the following skills can a forensic nurse, serving in the elected office of coroner, bring to
the situation compared with other professionals?
a. Extensive knowledge of medicine
b. Knowledge of the law
c. Previous experience in testifying in court
d. Superb communication and empathy skills
@ANS: D
Nurse coroners exhibit communication skills when dealing with grieving families. Nurses are
educated in therapeutic communication and practice those skills in any setting. Nurses are acutely
Nursing Questions and Answers
Updated 2026
Which of the following best describe how the prevalence of violence and violent crimes has changed
the professional practice of health care providers?
a. Vulnerable groups are now assessed for evidence of abuse.
b. The focus has now shifted from patient care toward more personal safety.
c. It is now recognized that new specialties continue to be created.
d. Each patient is now routinely screened for violence. - AnswerANS: D
All persons should be assessed for evidence of abuse, not just vulnerable groups. Screening for
violence is now considered to be a minimum standard of care for all clients.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: p. 619
If a forensic nurse was employed in the most widely recognized subspecialty in forensic nursing,
which of the following would be the nurse's primary tasks?
a. Be employed by insurance companies to review and interpret medical records
b. Complete the death certificate, including causes of death
c. Do a history and physical assessment and collect evidence
d. Review the crime scene for insights with police officers - AnswerANS: C
Sexual assault forensic examiner (SANE) is the most widely recognized subspecialty in forensic
nursing. The SANE collects forensic evidence related to a reported crime and frequently testifies as
an expert witness at subsequent trials.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: p. 620
A forensic nurse is responsible for conducting a thorough examination, including a history,
performing a physical assessment, and collecting forensic evidence on a female client following a
rape. In which of the following subspecialties of forensic nursing is this nurse practicing?
a. Sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE)
b. Nurse coroner
c. Legal nurse consultant
d. Forensic nurse death investigator - AnswerANS: A
, A SANE is a specially trained registered nurse who applies the nursing process during forensic
examinations to victims or perpetrators of sexual assault. The SANE collects forensic evidence related
to a reported crime and frequently testifies as an expert witness at subsequent trials. If the client is
medically stable, the SANE is responsible for conducting a thorough examination, including obtaining
a history, performing the physical assessment, and collecting forensic evidence. The nurse coroner
would be responsible for ensuring that appropriate measures were taken to perform death
investigations and certify death certificates. Legal nurse consultants provide assistance within the
legal system using specialized nursing knowledge and expertise when interactions of law and health
issues arise. The forensic nurse death investigator evaluates the death scene from a holistic nursing
perspective and might interpret the scene differently.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension) REF: p. 620
Which of the following causes of death on a death certificate would need correction by the forensic
nurse?
a. Accident
b. Homicide
c. Natural
d. Suicide
e. Untimely - AnswerANS: E
The National Association of Medical Examiners identifies five acceptable options for recording
manner of death: (1) natural, (2) accident, (3) suicide, (4) homicide, and (5) undetermined.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remember (Knowledge) REF: p. 621
Which of the following skills can a forensic nurse, serving in the elected office of coroner, bring to
the situation compared with other professionals?
a. Extensive knowledge of medicine
b. Knowledge of the law
c. Previous experience in testifying in court
d. Superb communication and empathy skills
@ANS: D
Nurse coroners exhibit communication skills when dealing with grieving families. Nurses are
educated in therapeutic communication and practice those skills in any setting. Nurses are acutely
