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:Â Â Â Â Â | Name:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â | Telephone:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â |
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: |