ENA Forensic Nursing in the ER Study Guide 2026 | Emergency Nursing Legal &
Trauma Exam Prep
Your correct answer: A
When caring for a victim of violence, be alert for suspicious stains on the victim's skin, which
may yield valuable evidence. If a stain is detected, swab it with a sterile, cotton-tipped
applicator that is moistened with sterile water. Then, air-dry the swab before packaging it in a
clean envelope or box. On the envelope, record the patient's name; the stain's appearance,
location, and date taken; and the case or medical record number. To prevent evidence
tampering, tape the container before initialing it. - ANS ✔✔What is the appropriate action to
take if the emergency nurse notes a suspicious stain on the arm of a victim of a violent crime?
A. Swab the stain with a sterile, cotton-tipped applicator that is moistened with sterile water.
B. Place the swab immediately into the proper container to prevent cross-contamination.
C. Label the container with patient's name and date of birth.
D. Initial the container and then seal it with tape.
B
Patients who are strangled until they become unconscious or near-unconscious may experience
a loss of bladder or bowel control. You should explain that incontinence commonly occurs with
strangulation and reassure the patient that it is okay to share that information. Visible neck
injuries after manual strangulation can be rare even though the risk of death from strangulation
is high. Although bruises and fingernail scratch marks may be absent on the neck, you should
assess for point tenderness, changes in voice quality, or pain on swallowing. With or without
visible findings, patients who survive strangulation need hospitalization and close supervision
with 24-hour pulse oximetry monitoring in a setting where they can be promptly intubated if
respiratory complications develop. - ANS ✔✔Which statement accurately characterizes manual
strangulation?
, A. Visible injuries to the neck are usually present.
B. It commonly causes incontinence.
C. Point tenderness in the area rarely occurs.
D. The patient usually can be discharged rapidly.
Your correct answer: B
The body diagram should clearly demonstrate the location and type of injury or evidence
collected and provide a brief description. Photographs should never replace body diagrams
because they may be lost or poorly representative. Ideally, use a body diagram or map and
photographs in addition to the written or computerized nursing notes. The chain of custody
documents the location and responsible party for the evidence at all times. It does not
document the type of injury or evidence collected. Although following the standardized
collection process allows for forensic evidence collection without contamination, it does not
document the type of injury or evidence collected. - ANS ✔✔Which action best documents the
type of injury or evidence collected?
A. Take photographs.
B. Complete a body diagram.
C. Maintain the chain of custody.
D. Follow the standardized collection process.
Your correct answer: A
If possible, collect the sheet from the emergency medical services stretcher, hospital stretcher,
or both because debris or trace evidence may have fallen from the patient. Do not cut through a
Trauma Exam Prep
Your correct answer: A
When caring for a victim of violence, be alert for suspicious stains on the victim's skin, which
may yield valuable evidence. If a stain is detected, swab it with a sterile, cotton-tipped
applicator that is moistened with sterile water. Then, air-dry the swab before packaging it in a
clean envelope or box. On the envelope, record the patient's name; the stain's appearance,
location, and date taken; and the case or medical record number. To prevent evidence
tampering, tape the container before initialing it. - ANS ✔✔What is the appropriate action to
take if the emergency nurse notes a suspicious stain on the arm of a victim of a violent crime?
A. Swab the stain with a sterile, cotton-tipped applicator that is moistened with sterile water.
B. Place the swab immediately into the proper container to prevent cross-contamination.
C. Label the container with patient's name and date of birth.
D. Initial the container and then seal it with tape.
B
Patients who are strangled until they become unconscious or near-unconscious may experience
a loss of bladder or bowel control. You should explain that incontinence commonly occurs with
strangulation and reassure the patient that it is okay to share that information. Visible neck
injuries after manual strangulation can be rare even though the risk of death from strangulation
is high. Although bruises and fingernail scratch marks may be absent on the neck, you should
assess for point tenderness, changes in voice quality, or pain on swallowing. With or without
visible findings, patients who survive strangulation need hospitalization and close supervision
with 24-hour pulse oximetry monitoring in a setting where they can be promptly intubated if
respiratory complications develop. - ANS ✔✔Which statement accurately characterizes manual
strangulation?
, A. Visible injuries to the neck are usually present.
B. It commonly causes incontinence.
C. Point tenderness in the area rarely occurs.
D. The patient usually can be discharged rapidly.
Your correct answer: B
The body diagram should clearly demonstrate the location and type of injury or evidence
collected and provide a brief description. Photographs should never replace body diagrams
because they may be lost or poorly representative. Ideally, use a body diagram or map and
photographs in addition to the written or computerized nursing notes. The chain of custody
documents the location and responsible party for the evidence at all times. It does not
document the type of injury or evidence collected. Although following the standardized
collection process allows for forensic evidence collection without contamination, it does not
document the type of injury or evidence collected. - ANS ✔✔Which action best documents the
type of injury or evidence collected?
A. Take photographs.
B. Complete a body diagram.
C. Maintain the chain of custody.
D. Follow the standardized collection process.
Your correct answer: A
If possible, collect the sheet from the emergency medical services stretcher, hospital stretcher,
or both because debris or trace evidence may have fallen from the patient. Do not cut through a
