Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease for the Correctional Nurse Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD ) is actually a group of diseases that cause a blockage in airflow and breathing. It includes chronic bronchitis, hyper-reactive airway disease and emphysema. Tobacco smoke is the main factor in the development and further progression of the disease, but exposure to…
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,…
Arthritis for the Correctional Nurse Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis are both debilitating diseases that affect millions of individuals in the United States. In the correctional environment, the latest statistics by the Bureau of Justice indicate that “Arthritis” is the third largest chronic diagnosis for jail detainees and is the second largest chronic diagnosis for individuals…
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…
Abdominal Assessment for the Correctional Nurse: Upper 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…
Bullying and Incivility for the Correctional Nurse The American Nurses Association (ANA) and other organizations define incivility as “one or more rude, discourteous, or disrespectful actions that may or may not have a negative intent behind them.” The ANA defines bullying as “repeated, unwanted, harmful actions intended to humiliate, offend, and cause distress in the…
Heart and Lung Auscultation for the Correctional Nurse Patient assessment/evaluation are critical skills for the correctional nurse. Often, the findings during patient evaluation determine the nursing “next steps”. Can the patient be treated using the Nursing Protocols/Guidelines or does the patient presentation require that a provider be notified? Abnormal findings such as elevated blood pressure,…
Hepatitis for the Correctional Nurse Hepatitis, a general term referring to inflammation of the liver, may result from various causes, both infectious (viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic organisms) and non-infectious (alcohol, drugs, autoimmunediseases, and metabolic diseases). This class will focus on viral hepatitis, which accounts for more than 50% of cases of acute hepatitis in the…