Rhabdomyolysis for the Correctional Nurse Rhabdomyolysis means the “dissolution of skeletal muscle”. It is a syndrome caused by direct muscle injury, or a mismatch between energy production and energy consumption that results in a breakdown of muscle cells. This breakdown results in the leakage of potentially toxic intracellular contents into the systemic circulation. While there…
Clinical Judgment for the Correctional Nurse In corrections, nurses are usually the first health care professional to assess a health concern or complaint. Patients present with virtually every type of health problem, and many have co-occurring conditions that can complicate the diagnosis and plan of care. Therefore, correctional nursing practice requires knowledge and experience with…
Juvenile Obesity for the Correctional Nurse The rate of obesity for children and adolescents in the United States has risen significantly–from 14.5 percent to 17.3 percent overall, making it the most prevalent nutritional disorder among children and adolescents. Research suggests that 16-18% of American children and adolescents are obese, and another 21-24% are overweight. This results from…
Chronic Care Patient Education: Hypertension in Corrections As healthcare professionals, we are constantly providing patient education as we go about our assessments and treatments. In corrections, our practice is an extension of Community Health. We assess and treat many of the same illnesses that are prevalent in our community; often, however, their prevalence is higher…
Hypertension for the Correctional Nurse In February of 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. This report continues to be the most current in 2020. In it, the prevalence of heart-related problems in state and federal prisoners…
Correctional Nursing Basics: The Respiratory System The respiratory system is responsible for supplying oxygen to the body and removing carbon dioxide, which is a waste product of metabolism. It includes the lungs, airway, blood vessels and muscles. The process of respiration involves a series of steps, starting with the inhalation of air and ending with…
Inmate Manipulation in Corrections Every day, inmates spend their time watching and waiting. They watch with deep interest all that occurs in the facility, waiting until they identify just the right person to target in their manipulation game. Often, inmates direct their attention to the healthcare staff, as healthcare staff are stereotypically sympathetic and wanting…
Asthma for the Correctional Nurse I As nurses in corrections, we see a large number of patients affected by asthma. Many have poor asthma control due to their inability to purchase medication, knowledge deficit about their chronic condition or general apathy about their health. Helping the patient achieve and maintain asthma control requires patient education…
Common Mental Health Disorders for the Correctional Nurse Estimates are that nearly 67% of inmates have a serious mental illness, while over half report at least one mental condition (Bureau of Justice, 2021). Even if you are providing nursing care for a medical condition, a co-occurring mental health condition can affect the nurse-patient relationship. Mental…
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…