Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault With Tetrahydrozoline (Visine): A Case Report.

ABSTRACT: This is a case presentation of an 18-year-old male victim who experienced a drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA). The drug used to incapacitate him was tetrahydrozoline (Visine) given rectally. Tetrahydrozoline, intended for ophthalmic administration, is in the class of drugs known as imidazoline receptor agonists and has been used as an agent for DFSA since the 1940s. DFSA is increasing, particularly among young men. Care of victims of DFSA is discussed with particular attention to mental health sequelae in this patient population.

Preexisting Mental Health Illness Among Victims of Sexual Assault: Case Studies to Inform Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Practice.

BACKGROUND: Sexual assault is a pervasive problem associated with negative long- and short-term consequences related to mental health consequences, educational function, physical health, and sexual and relationship functioning. People with mental illness, particularly those with psychotic disorders, have a significantly higher risk of becoming victims of violence compared with the general population. METHODS: Three case studies of women with preexisting mental health problems who were sexually assaulted and requested a sexual assault examination are presented. These cases illustrate common mental health problems, how mental health problems can be associated with an increased risk for sexual assault, and things the sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) should consider in the care and treatment of these patients. RESULTS: These cases illustrate important ideas regarding the care of people who have been sexually assaulted: prioritizing safety, ethical issues related to consent, the importance of empathetic communication, and the need for SANEs to expand their knowledge to improve care of patients with mental health disorders. DISCUSSION: Being sexually assaulted can contribute to destabilization, prolongation, and exacerbation of existing mental illness, placing patients at an increased risk for sexual assault, beginning a vicious cycle of mental illness and violence. Working effectively with the interdisciplinary team, the SANE can help break this devastating cycle of violence.

Interpersonal Violence: What Undergraduate Nursing Students Know.

A program evaluation of undergraduate nursing curricula content was completed and survey developed to assess undergraduate nursing students' knowledge about interpersonal violence. Students electively answered a 43-question survey regarding interpersonal violence as a public health problem. The sample included 104 traditional and accelerated undergraduate nursing students. Increasing scores during undergraduate program enrollment suggests that students receive some content on violence from the undergraduate curriculum. This study provides data about curricular deficits and proposes content revisions to prepare nursing students to address violence in patient populations.

When a clinical crisis strikes: Lessons learned from the reflective writings of nursing students.

AIM: The following is a qualitative study of reflective journaling related to an unexpected crisis situation as it unfolded through the eyes of nursing students. BACKGROUND: In September 2014, nursing students in clinical rotations at a Texas hospital were faced with the arrival of the first unplanned patient soon to be diagnosed with Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the United States. Reflective journaling was a technique used by nursing students to help process thoughts and feelings during this public health crisis. DESIGN: The students' unedited experiences were captured through the technique of reflective journaling and written comments were analyzed using qualitative design with thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three main themes were identified as an array of emotions, nursing as a calling, and personal protection. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates how reflective journaling can help reduce the stress of an unexpected clinical situation involving nursing students and encourages immediate coping strategies for those affected. With recent reports from Africa of patients newly diagnosed with EVD, being aware of how to facilitate the learning of nursing students in all clinical settings becomes essential.

Autonomic dysfunction in childhood Guillain-Barré syndrome.

This investigation correlated incidence and degree of autonomic dysfunction with the degree of motor impairment in children hospitalized with Guillain-Barré syndrome. Motor weakness varies, as does the effect on autonomic function including heart rate, vasomotor stability, sweating, continence, and blood pressure. After Institutional Review Board approval, hospitalized patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome <19 years were included for retrospective chart review. There were 26 patients (12 boys), with a mean age of 11.3 years (range, 6-17 years). The average hospital stay was 10.6 days. Twenty-four (92%) recovered by 2 to 6 months without functional disability. Bradycardia and sweating disturbances were not observed. Hypertension occurred in 18 of 26 (69%) and tachycardia in 20 of 26 (77%) patients. The proportion of children with hypertension and/or tachycardia increased, as did the motor disability grade (P < .043 and P < .018, respectively). Hypertension occurred 9 to 15 days from symptom onset and within 24 to 48 hours of maximum motor disability in 89%. Multiple autonomic disturbances compound the course of childhood Guillain-Barré syndrome.