Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What is the main difference between forensic nursing and mental health nursing?

1. Focus on emergency care

2. Provision of social control and nursing care

3. Collaboration with law enforcement

4. Involvement in community health education

The correct answer is: Provision of social control and nursing care

The main difference between forensic nursing and mental health nursing lies in their dual focus on social control and nursing care. Forensic nursing typically operates at the intersection of healthcare and the legal system, addressing the medical and psychological aspects of individuals involved in criminal justice processes. This encompasses caring for victims of violence, collecting evidence, and documenting injuries while adhering to legal standards. In contrast, mental health nursing primarily centers on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals with mental health disorders, concentrating on therapeutic interventions and recovery support within a clinical or community setting. While both fields may involve aspects of patient care, forensic nursing is particularly characterized by its requirement to uphold the law alongside providing medical care, thus incorporating elements of social control that are less prevalent in the mental health nursing context.