A mental health nurse working in a large city jail assesses all new inmates who report that they take psychotropic medication or who present with symptoms of psychiatric disorders.Because of the high number of newly incarcerated individuals the nurse sees,which nursing skill would be a priority for the nurse?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Newly incarcerated prisoners are often in crisis and may be suicidal.Others may be mentally ill and experiencing relapse.Therefore,being able to quickly and skillfully assess for risk of suicide and violence is an essential skill for the corrections nurse.Documenting potential evidence may occur but is not typically the primary or priority role of a corrections nurse.Community resources and counseling are helpful but would not be a priority compared to risk assessment and reduction.

A Mental Health Nurse Working in a Large City Jail