Update 2022: Pain Management for the Michigan Correctional Nurse According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (2022), Michigan has a serious problem with prescription drug misuse, most notably, opioids and benzodiazepines. Data from the Michigan Overdose Data to Action Dashboard indicates that there were 2738 overdose deaths in 2020; in 2021 there…
Endocarditis for the Correctional Nurse Infective endocarditis is an infection of the lining of the heart (endocardium) and often involves the valves of the heart as well as any areas with abnormal connections between the chambers of the heart or its blood vessels. It occurs when bacteria in the bloodstream clump on previously injured heart…
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…
Ectoparasites in the Correctional Environment Human scabies is an intensely pruritic skin infestation caused by the host-specific mite Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis. Scabies is a global public health problem, affecting persons of all ages, races, and socioeconomic groups. Worldwide, an estimated 300 million cases occur annually. Overcrowding, delayed diagnosis and treatment, and poor public education…
Abdominal Assessment for the Correctional Nurse: Constipation and Diarrhea Constipation and diarrhea are common complaints in the correctional environment. In this class, the basic abdominal assessment skills will be reviewed. Constipation and diarrhea will be explained, and potential reasons for each will be discussed. Common nursing interventions for the patient with constipation and diarrhea will…
Pain Management for the Correctional Nurse Costing more than $600 billion dollars annually, chronic pain is a major concern in the community. For example, in Michigan, 27.2% of residents surveyed in the 2011 Michigan Resident Survey indicated that they accessed a healthcare provider for the treatment of chronic pain, and 29% had sought treatment for…
Abdominal Assessment for the Correctional Nurse: Basic Assessment With this class, we begin a three-part series on Abdominal Assessment for the Correctional Nurse. This first class will include basic abdominal assessment, expected normal findings and potential abnormalities in each region. The second and third class will review abdominal assessment techniques, and will discuss in more…
Ear Conditions for the Correctional Nurse From earplugs made of toilet paper that then get “stuck’ in the ear canal to fulminant ear infections, Correctional Nurses often evaluate complaints of the ear. Most often, the patient complains of acute ear pain. Correctional Nurses, therefore, must be competent to examine the ear canal and tympanic membrane with an…
Patient Teaching for the Correctional Nurse One of the most important things we do as nurses is patient education, and we do it at every encounter with our patients. In the correctional environment, it is perhaps even more important, as we care for individuals who research has shown have low health literacy. This has nothing…
Documentation for the Correctional Nurse Documentation is one of the most critical skills nurses perform, regardless of the setting in which they practice. Accurate, detailed documentation provides a clinical picture of the patient and a chronological history of their health care. Nursing documentation enables effective continuity of care for the patient. It also provides legal…