Many dental conditions can appear to be urgently in need of immediate attention when they really are not. Consider these dental concerns common to the correctional patient population. Ulcers Mouth ulcers, also known as aphthous ulcers, are usually very painful, but are not considered a dental emergency. Often treatment with a salt water gargle is effective and nurses can provide this…
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Correctional Nursing Professional Practice Update: The New ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses
Per the American Nurses Association, nursing is dedicated to protecting, promoting, and optimizing health, abilities, and well-being; preventing illness and injury; facilitating healing; and alleviating suffering through the (nursing) diagnosis and treatment of human responses to health and illness. It also encompasses advocacy in the care of individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations. This commitment reflects nursing’s enduring dedication to…
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Correctional Nurse Clinical Practice Update: Dental Concepts II, Dental Assessment at Intake
Nurses are the healthcare professionals most frequently performing health screening during an individual’s admission to the facility. Since the initial screening is meant to reveal the need for immediate attention, nurses must know what findings indicate an urgent concern. A systematic process for dental screening will direct appropriate attention to areas of need. Subjective A person’s medical and dental history…
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