Equine-assisted activities and therapies partner professionals with horses to address the patient’s needs.
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Psychiatric / Mental Health
A powerful question: “Have you ever served in the military?”
To help ensure military veterans get appropriate diagnosis and treatment, ask patients if they’ve ever served in the military.
A woman’s reproductive health: Clues to future heart disease?
Reproductive status, hormonal therapy, oral contraceptives, irregular menstrual cycles, and pregnancy complications may raise woman’s risk of cardiovascular disease.
AAP expands ages for diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in children
The American Academy of Pediatrics has released new guidelines for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) that expand ages for diagnosis and treatment…
Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome: What every acute-care nurse should know
Rapid withdrawal from antidepressant drugs can cause serious problems in acute-care patients. This article explains why acute-care nurses need to put antidepressant discontinuation syndrome on thier radar screen.
Anxiety attack or myocardial infarction?
The patient thinks she knows what’s causing her chest pain. Her nurse knows she must rule out myocardial infarction.
Better care for patients with borderline personality disorder
Adult nurse practitioners (NPs) encounter patients with a wide range of challenging behaviors. Some of these behaviors can be especially…
Care, not chaos
A new document created by ANA and other groups delineates emergency care principles for psychiatric patients.
Caring for patients in alcohol withdrawal
Be sure you’re prepared to care for patients with this condition
CDC says more monitoring for adult mental illness needed
A report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that increased mental health surveillance will help guide effective mental…
Cognitive behaviorial therapy
A study of 701 adults with subacute or chronic back pain found that cognitive behavioral therapy reduced pain and disability…
Congress considers mental health parity legislation
Legislation under consideration in the U.S. House and Senate would require group health insurers to cover mental health care at…
Dementia: The quiet thief
The nurse’s note read, “not orientated to place and time due to dementia.” Several hours of general anesthesia for a…
Depression affects arthritic knee symptoms
Depression can exacerbate the symptoms of knee arthritis in patients who have minimal or moderate radiographic severity according to a…
Detecting and screening for depression in older adults
Don’t assume depression is a normal finding in elderly patients.
Drugs Today – August 2008
Web Exclusive! An update of drug news, including alerts, approvals, and removals, at www.AmericanNurseToday.com/journal.
Drugs Today – February 2009
WEB EXCLUSIVE! An update of drug news, including alerts, approvals, and removals.
Drugs Today – June 2008
An update of drug news, including alerts, approvals, and removals.
Drugs Today – June 2009
An update of drug news, including alerts, approvals, and removals.
Drugs Today – March 2009
Web exclusive! An update of drug news, including alerts, approvals, and removals.
Drugs Today – May 2008
An update of drug news, including alerts, approvals, and removals.
Drugs Today – November 2008
Web Exclusive! An update of drug news, including alerts, approvals, and removals at www.AmericanNurseToday.com/journal.
Drugs Today – September 2008
Web Exclusive! An update of drug news, including alerts, approvals, and removals at www.AmericanNurseToday.com/journal.
Evidence-based interventions for depression in patients with cancer
Editor’s note: One of a series of articles on managing cancer-related symptoms from the Oncology Nursing Society. Dana Jennings, in…
Evidence-based interventions for dyspnea
Editor’s note: One of a series of articles on managing cancer-related symptoms from the Oncology Nursing Society. Dyspnea is “a…
FDA allows marketing of device to help assess children and teens for ADHD
On June 15, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allowed marketing of the first medical device based on brain…
FDA approves Brintellix for major depression
On Sept. 30, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Brintellix (vortioxetine) to treat adults with major depressive disorder.…
FDA approves first generic versions of Cymbalta
On Dec. 11, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first generic versions of Cymbalta (duloxetine delayed-release capsules).…
FDA approves new drug for schizophrenia
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Latuda (lurasidone HCL) tables for the treatment of adults with schizophrenia. Read…
FDA warns against counterfeit Adderall
On May 29, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers and healthcare professionals about a counterfeit version of…
From our readers: Overtime is only fun in baseball: A somber look at mandatory overtime and nursing care
The author reviews issues surrounding mandatory overtime.
From our readers: The guilt suicide leaves behind
Dedicated to John, who was loved by so many
From our readers…Know your A, B, C, and D’s for patients with progressive disease
“Something’s wrong. We have to fix it quickly!” All of our training and experiences as nurses, such as my almost…
From our readers…The nature of grief
A wise person once said, “Grief is not a disease or pathology to be cured. Grief is the tangible evidence…
From your ANA President and ANF Chair
ANA and the American Nurses Foundation are embracing the power of partnerships to advance initiatives that will benefit patients and nurses.
Guiding your patients through menopause
The more you know about menopause, the more you can help patients understand and cope with symptoms.
Headlines from the Hill
Gun violence: Will the 113th Congress take action?
Help and hope for people with trichotillomania
Trichotillomania takes an emotional and psychological toll.
How dolls can help patients with dementia
Dolls can work wonders on geriatric dementia patients.
How to put on a successful CE conference
Discover the secrets to planning and implementing a successful continuing-
education conference.
How to screen patients for alcohol use disorders
Routine alcohol abuse screening identifies patients who abuse alcohol and helps reduce alcohol-related health problems.
Improving depression screening in patients with chronic illness
Don’t miss an opportunity for health promotion and improvement in disease management by failing to assess patients with chronic illness for depression.
Letters to the Editor – May 2009
Speaking of psychic experiences Beth Wechsler’s article “A word about patients’ psychic experiences: Listen” in the March issue deserves to…
Migraine increases risk of depression in women
A study of women enrolled in the Women’s Health Study has found that women with migraines or a history of…
Mindfulness program benefits early-stage breast cancer survivors
A mindfulness-based stress reduction program significantly improved physiological and psychological outcomes among early-stage breast cancer survivors according to a study…
Moving toward a restraint-free environment
Moving toward a restraint-free environment A behavioral health nurse provides guidance on how to eliminate the need for physical restraints…
My Son has Tourette syndrome
Read this nurse’s remarkable story of devotion and acceptance.
New policies for evaluating living kidney donors approved by OPTN/UNOS
The OPTN/UNOS Board of Directors has approved policies aimed at creating greater consistency in the medical and psychosocial evaluation and…
New report: Nearly 1 in 5 older adults have one or more mental health and substance abuse conditions according
At least 5.6 million to 8 million – nearly one in five – older adults in America have one or…
Normal-pressure hydrocephalus: The “wet, wobbly, and wacky” triad
An often-missed diagnosis, this condition may mimic certain types of dementia.
Nurses suffer depression at twice the national average rate for general population
A study published in May/June Clinical Nurse Specialist found that 18% of hospital-employed nurses reported depressive symptoms, twice as high…
Post-intensive care syndrome: What it is and how to help prevent it
ICU stays can cause physical and cognitive problems for years after discharge. Find out how to improve patient outcomes.
Postpartum depression: Don’t let patients suffer in silence
This might come as a surprise, but postpartum depression (PPD) is the number-one complication of childbearing. Experts estimate it strikes…
Potential new treatment for SRI-resistant patients with depression
S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe), a naturally occurring molecule, may be an effective treatment for patients with depression who don’t respond to…
Precautionary approach guides ANA’s thimerosal policy
ANA’s position statement on thimerosol-containing vaccines emphasizes a precautionary approach.
Prescription opioids: A growing epidemic of abuse
Many people who take prescription opioids underestimate the abuse potential.
Protein identified as critical for keeping Alzheimer’s disease pathology in check
A study by scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute suggests that a protein called membralin is critical for keeping Alzheimer’s…
Psychiatric emergencies in med-surg patients: Are you prepared?
Rodney, age 47, was admitted to the hospital 2 days ago with rib and femur fractures and facial contusions. He appears well nourished and well groomed.
Psychiatric emergencies in med-surg patients: Are you prepared?
Rodney, age 47, was admitted to the hospital 2 days ago with rib and femur fractures and facial contusions. He appears well nourished and well groomed.
Psychiatric nurses are in demand
Built on therapeutic communication and relationship development, psychiatric nursing is the basis of all nursing. A core healthcare profession, psychiatric…
Psychological effects of prenatal loss persists
A study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry reports that depression and anxiety following a miscarriage or stillbirth persists…
PTSD more common in men than women migraine sufferers
Although post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is more common in migraine sufferers, data suggest that the association is stronger in men…
Quiz time
Which of the following does not help address issues related to post-intensive care syndrome? a. Diaries kept jointly by family,…
Rand report calls for more action to prevent military suicide
“The War Within: Preventing Suicide in the U.S. Military,” a report released by the Rand Corporation, states U.S. military officials…
Readers Theatre helps student nurses care for the mentally ill
This affective teaching strategy improves students’ understanding of mental illness on a deeper personal level.
Ready, set, go! How to return to the nursing workforce
Are you an RN who has been out of the workforce? Your talents, experience and expertise are needed in all…
Recognizing depression in children
All kids can be moody and unpredictable. But for roughly 5% of children, behavioral changes reflect depression. Learn why depression holds added dangers for children – and how you can detect it.
Recognizing posttraumatic stress disorder in military veterans
More than a half million members of the military have become our newest veterans. Compared to veterans of previous conflicts,…
Recovery lessons from the Sandy Hook trauma
Children are people with small hearts and big emotions that often come from the people around them, particularly family members.…
Reiki: Ancent healing art for today’s new healthcare vision
Perhaps you’ve heard of a complementary therapy called Reiki, or maybe you’ve experienced it yourself. Reiki is one of the…
Restless legs syndrome: FAQs you can use
This nightly vexation afflicts nearly 10% of the elderly.
Reversing neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Without quick thinking and a call to the rapid response team, this reaction to atypical antipsychotics can kill.
Self-mutilation: The cutting truth
People who mutilate themselves excel at hiding their injuries. Find out how to identify self-mutilators and nurture their trust.
Seven reversible causes of dementia in older adults
Early identification and accurate diagnosis can improve patient outcomes. Takeaways: Some causes of dementia can be reversed through proper identification,…
Shhhhhh! Quiet zone
Nurses play a significant role in helping patients to get the sleep they need.
Sleeping in the danger zzzzzzzone
Awaken patients with sleep apnea to the danger of their condition.
Smoking and mental illness
The July 21 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine has a thoughtful essay, “Smoking and Mental Illness —…
Stigma and misconceptions related to addictive disease
What do you know about addiction to opioids? If you are like many clinicians you might have trouble sorting out…
Students support individuals with cognitive disabilities during COVID-19
Videos educate patients while meeting students’ learning needs. Editor’s note: This is an early release of an article for the…
Study concludes BMI is best for calculating expected body weight in adolescents with eating disorders
A study in Pediatrics recommends that for clinical and research purposes, BMI should be used for calculating expected body weight…
Study finds no difference in self-esteem among men and women during adolescence or young adulthood
A longitudinal study in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that men and women’s self-esteem levels don’t differ during…
Study: Older adults with hearing loss have more hospitalizations, poorer health
According to a study published by JAMA, older adults with hearing loss are more likely than peers with normal hearing…
Study: Alcohol, tobacco, drug use higher in those with psychotic disorders
Rates of smoking, drinking, and drug use are significantly higher among those who have psychotic disorders than among those in…
Study: Antidepressants may pose risk for type 2 diabetes
A systematic review published in Diabetes Care reports that that people taking antidepressants are at a higher risk of type…
Study: Effects of childhood bullying persist into adulthood
A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry sheds light on the effects of childhood bullying in adults by assessing victims…
Study: Efforts to reduce smoking may reduce suicide
A study in Nicotine & Tobacco Research reports that population interventions (cigarette excise tax, smoke-free air policies) seem to reduce…
Study: Fatigue common in CHD
A study in Nursing Research found that 40% of patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD) reported fatigue more than…
Study: Grandmothers raising grandchildren struggle with depression
Grandmothers who care for their grandchildren fulltime need help for depression and family strains, according to researchers from the Case…
Study: Incidence of mental disorders in mid-life, older adulthood may be underestimated
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry has found that common methods of assessing mental or physical disorders may consistently underestimate…
Study: Men more likely than women to return to hospital within 30 days of discharge
A study in BMJ Open reports that men had a higher rate of hospital utilization, defined as ED visits or…
Study: More focus on maternal mental health needed
Maternal depression is more common at 4 years following childbirth than at any other time in the first 12 months…
Study: MRI may help diagnose bipolar disorder
According to a study in Psychological Medicine, MRIs may help diagnose people with bipolar disorder. The researchers correctly differentiated bipolar…
Study: New delirium severity measure
A study in the Annals of Internal Medicine reports on an effective new delirium severity measure (CAM-S) based on the…
Study: Patients needing mental health care linger in EDs
A new study from the Foundation for Healthy Communities highlights the challenges of ensuring patients in the emergency department (ED)…
Study: Positive self-esteem protects older adults from health problems
According to a study in Psychoneuroendocrinology, a positive self-esteem can buffer adults older than 60 years against health threats. Researchers…
Study: Psychological adverse effects of antidepressants
Thoughts of suicide, sexual difficulties and emotional numbness as a result of anti-depressants may be more widespread than previously thought,…
Study: Serious mental illness increases cancer risk
The total cancer incidence in adults with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder was 2.6 times higher than the general population, according…
Study: Specific benevolence brings happiness
Pursuing concrete, specific goals of benevolence, such as making someone smile or increasing recycling, instead of following similar but more…
Take Note – June 2009
A monthly round-up of clinicial and practice new and alerts.
Take Note – November 2007
Medical illiteracy can kill A 6-year study of 3,260 patients ages 65 and older found that almost 40% of those…
Taking steps in the hospital to prevent diabetes-related readmissions
Preventing readmissions is an important quality focus. Here is how you can work with other team members to help reduce readmissions for patients who have diabetes.
Tap your way to fast relief
Want to reduce physical and psychological stress? Emotional Freedom Techniques may be able to help.
The new health insurance marketplace
Our editor-in-chief discusses the upcoming insurance requirement related to the Affordable Care Act and emphasizes the need for nurses to be knowledgeable about the requirements so they can help friends, family, and patients navigate the health insurance marketplace.
Understanding psychogenic nonepileptic seizures
Learn how to care for patients whose seizures reflect psychological disturbances.
What you need to know about bipolar disorder
Extreme mood and behavior swings, disrupted lives, reduced life expectancy, obstacles to getting help—these are among the effects
of bipolar disorder. When you understand this condition, you can help enhance your patient’s quality of life. Besides disrupting lives, this illness can reduce life expectancy significantly.
When patient privacy endangers staff
Examine the ethical and legal issues of patient privacy.
You can help stop the cycle of teen bullying
Bullying refers to repeated negative activity or aggression intended to harm or bother someone that the aggressor perceives as less…
