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Below are recent articles from
The Future of Nursing in Michigan, the official publication of the Michigan Nurses Association.
Sign up to receive the digital edition of The Future of Nursing in Michigan
Below are recent articles from
The Future of Nursing in Michigan, the official publication of the Michigan Nurses Association.
The pandemic, from its earliest days in March 2020, exposed not only a health and healthcare crisis but also deep inequities in our society. Unequal care and outcomes—visibly evident at the time and subsequently substantiated by research—resulted from racism and other forms of bigotry, prejudicial bias, and various types of discrimination such as ableism, ageism, classism, heterosexism, and sexism. Even with a better understanding today of the corrosive effects of these issues, they still exist. In this context, what can an individual nurse do to uphold the values outlined in the revised Code of Ethics for Nurses (Code) as it relates to these harms?
Metadata analysis of information in a patient’s electronic health record (EHR) has the potential to provide valuable information to attorneys in the case of a lawsuit. This information, such as patterns of missing data, can bolster a legal case, leaving nurses vulnerable to punitive action.
A 35-year-old man arrives at the ED with severe weakness, diarrhea, nausea, hypotension, and tachycardia, which began after he finished a 100-mile race the previous day. Urinalysis indicates the presence of protein, blood, and an elevated specific gravity. The patient’s medications include citalopram for depression and ibuprofen for a recent knee injury. The patient says, “I’ve been taking more ibuprofen than I normally do, and I wish I’d stopped at more drink stations during the race.”
Delays in seeking treatment frequently lead to poor health outcomes. Especially with regard to symptoms associated with cancer, early detection and treatment can improve survival rates and quality of life. Several factors can influence delayed treatment. Understanding why patients may delay seeking care can help nurses engage with, educate, and advocate for patients so they can make informed healthcare decisions.
A physician authorizes medical cannabis for an 18-year-old student who lives in a college dorm in a state where cannabis is legal for recreational use by anyone over 21 and also by minors with guardian approval. However, campus policy prohibits the use and storage of cannabis. College health center staff tell the student that his parents will need to store the cannabis and take him off campus to use it. The student’s family struggles to respond as their child ponders the risk of engaging in activities deemed legal in one context but illegal in another.
Why are new HIV cases still occurring when we have preventive treatment? One reason could be a lack of knowledge and experience among healthcare professionals to discuss, prescribe, and manage PrEP for vulnerable patients. Lack of information and discomfort with prescribing PrEP remain ongoing issues among healthcare professionals in the United States. Healthcare professionals should know how to identify appropriate candidates for PrEP, provide general education, and prescribe necessary preventive treatment.