Real-Life Communication
You are a forensic nurse in the emergency room of a hospital. When
you are handling a case that has legal implications, you must be very careful
to make good notes on the chart.
You are required to fill in a form
dealing with facts that could become medical evidence in court. On some occasions,
you make markings on a drawing of a human body to be sure the injuries are
explained very clearly.
You are at work one evening when the paramedics
rush in with a person on a stretcher. It's a man, about 40 years of age. When
you look at him, you see that his left eye is swollen shut, and he has some
swelling and bruising.
There is a bald spot on the right front side
of his head. The bald patch looks raw and has some bleeding. The man's left
arm hangs limply at his side, and the fingers of that hand are bloody. Turning
him over, you note that a large black bruise is developing on the small of
his back.
The paramedic, Tom Brown, tells you that they responded to
a call from the police. According to the paramedics, the man had been in a
fight at a bar.
The paramedics tell you the man's name is Jimmy Smith.
They give you the address where they picked him up.
You reach for your
form and your pictures of the human body, and you begin to record the evidence
carefully. You know that this is a case where your records will be needed
in court.
Fill out the form. If you don't know the answer to a question
on the form, write "Unknown."
Elmside Hospital
Emergency
Department Protocol
Physical Assault Assessment/Follow-up |
| Patient Accompanied By: | Name: | Telephone: |
Description of Event:
|
Describe Injuries:
|
Assessment- Is the victim's emotional state unstable? Yes/No
- Was there use of a weapon? Yes/No
- Will the victim require medical treatment? Yes/No
- Was there police intervention? Yes/No
|
Comments:
|
Physician's Signature:
Dated: |
Nurse's Signature:
Dated: |