Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) A Practice Exam

How should a SANE regard the forensic consequences of healthcare procedures?

1. They should prioritize life-saving procedures over evidence collection

2. They should ignore forensic considerations completely

3. They should only consider them if victims require law enforcement

4. They should ensure forensic consequences are secondary to healthcare needs

The correct answer is: They should prioritize life-saving procedures over evidence collection

The correct approach for a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) regarding the forensic consequences of healthcare procedures is to prioritize life-saving procedures over evidence collection. This stance is vital because the primary goal of a SANE is to ensure patient safety and provide necessary medical care in the aftermath of a trauma. In emergencies, immediate healthcare needs must take precedence to stabilize the victim and address any life-threatening conditions. While forensics is an essential aspect of the SANE's role after the immediate medical needs have been met, the urgency of treating injuries and managing the patient's health cannot be compromised. A patient in crisis requires quick and effective medical interventions that may not allow for the further time-consuming processes associated with evidence collection initially. Therefore, a SANE should be prepared to provide care first while being aware that forensic evidence can be collected subsequently, ensuring that the patient receives the best possible outcome both medically and legally. Other options suggest either ignoring forensic considerations or elevating them to a level of priority that could jeopardize patient care, which does not support the fundamental principles of trauma-informed care or the responsibilities of a SANE.