Keywords

emergency care, forensic evidence, gunshot wounds, nursing role

 

Authors

  1. Snow, Angela F. MSN, RN
  2. Bozeman, James Michael MS

Abstract

Emergency department registered nurses treat victims of violent acts because the emergency department is usually the initial area of treatment. The nursing care of gunshot wound victims includes not only physical and immediate needs but also forensic and anticipated needs. The purpose of this article is to describe 3 types of gunshot wound forensic evidence and the nurses' roles when treating victims of gunshot wounds.