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 Tuberculosis Primer Historical records indicate that tuberculosis has been a serious community health disease for centuries. Also known as Consumption, Wasting Disease, and the White Plague, tuberculosis was thought to be caused by unhealthy lifestyles and genetics. It wasn’t until the 1860s that scientists discovered the bacterium that causes tuberculosis, mycobacterium tuberculosis. Unfortunately, it…
A Cardiac Primer for the Correctional Nurse: Heart Sounds and Murmurs 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…
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus for the Correctional Nurse Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, inflammatory disease of unknown cause that can affect virtually every organ. Immunologic abnormalities, particularly the generation of autoantibodies, are another key feature of the disease. It typically follows a remission and relapsing disease pattern. More than 90% of the cases occur…
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…
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…
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…