Dental Concepts for the Correctional Nurse Managing dental conditions is not a part of most nursing positions and little dental training is provided in nursing school. However, correctional nurses are most often the first care provider to evaluate a dental complaint and make determinations regarding referrals for treatment and urgency of care delivery. Most intake…
Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism for the Correctional Nurse Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein. Typically, these clots form in the lower leg, thigh, or pelvis, but they can also occur in the upper extremities and abdomen. DVTs are often undiagnosed. …
Sexually Transmitted Infection in Corrections The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state unequivocally that Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are “the hidden epidemics of enormous health and economic consequence in the United States” (CDC, 2011). They suggest that there are community-based interventions that are effective, but in order for these interventions to work, stakeholders…
A Cardiac Primer for the Correctional Nurse: Arrhythmias and the ECG In 2015, the Department of Justice Bureau of Statistics published the latest Special Report of Medical Problems of State and Federal Prisoners and Jail Inmates, 2011-2012. In it, the prevalence of heart-related problems in state and federal prisoners was 9.8%, whereas the prevalence of…
Seizure Disorder for the Correctional Nurse Some days, it seems like everyone we care for in corrections has a seizure disorder. Seizures may be the result of childhood epilepsy, trauma and traumatic brain injury, drug and alcohol use, brain tumors, or any combination of these conditions. The prevalence of seizure disorder in the correctional facilities…
Human Trafficking for the Correctional Nurse Involving the use of fraud, coercion or force to obtain some type of labor or sex act, human trafficking can occur anywhere, including the United States. Worldwide, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked every day. Victims can be any nationality, race, gender, or age. Traffickers might use…
Sprains and Strains for the Correctional Nurse In the correctional facility, patients often incur strain and sprain injuries as they work or are active on the rec yard. While most facilities have nursing protocols to care for these injuries, it is important for correctional nurses to be able to identify the presentation of a strain…
Red Eye for the Correctional Nurse The complaint of red eye is common, and may include redness of the eyelids/lacriminal sac; the conjunctiva; the anterior chamber; the sclera; the orbit; and the uveal tract. It may or may not be associated with vision changes or complete visual loss. Most causes of red eye are self-limiting,…
Anticoagulation for the Correctional Nurse In the United States today, anticoagulant therapy is prescribed for individuals who are at risk for deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and stroke due to atrial fibrillation. Historically, and even today, most patients with a blood clotting disorder are treated with warfarin and heparin. These medications require careful monitoring, and…
Abdominal Assessment for the Correctional Nurse: Lower Abdominal Pain Abdominal pain is perhaps one of the most frequent complaints listed on a sick call/request to be seen slip in the correctional environment. Changes to routine and diet, stress, and the “unmasking” of symptoms as patients become “detoxed” from substances like alcohol and drugs may contribute…