Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
Vol. 48 No. 2 February 2010
A Signature Wound of War: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Frances I. Snell, MSN, PMHNP; and Margaret Jordan Halter, PhD, PMHCNS
ABSTRACT
Improvised explosive devices are the weapons of choice
for the insurgent enemy in Iraq and Afghanistan. More soldiers are surviving
these blast injuries due to improved torso protection yet are sustaining head
and neck wounds in numbers that exceed those from previous wars. Although
moderate and severe traumatic head injuries are easily identified and
aggressively treated, mild traumatic brain injuries (m-TBIs), or concussions,
had previously been deemed inconsequential and often overlooked. Recently,
however, the U.S. Department of Defense and Veterans Health Administration have
placed emphasis on identifying service members at risk for m-TBI because a
select number continue to have disabling symptoms that can negatively affect
quality of life. Research regarding the effects and treatment of blast injury
are gaining momentum, but further work needs to be accomplished. This article
provides a three-question screening tool that can be used to identify these
at-risk veterans.
AUTHORS
Ms. Snell is Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Akron Community-Based
Outpatient Clinic, and Dr. Halter is Associate Professor, University of Akron
College of Nursing, Akron, Ohio. Ms. Snell is also a Colonel in the U.S. Army
Reserves, 256th Combat Support Hospital, Twinsburg, Ohio.
The authors disclose that they have no significant
financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or
indirectly in this activity, including research support.
Address correspondence to Frances I. Snell, MSN, PMHNP,
Akron VA Outpatient Clinic, 55 W. Waterloo Road, Akron, OH, 44319; e-mail:
Frances.Snell@va.gov.
Received: June 5, 2009
Accepted: September 29, 2009
Posted: January 22, 2010
doi:10.3928/02793695-20100108-02
Psychotropic Medication-Induced Rabbit Syndrome
Pamela L. Lindsey, DNSc, RN; and Jessica Mehalic, BS
ABSTRACT
Rabbit syndrome (RS) is an involuntary movement disorder
characterized by rapid, fine movements of an individual’s mouth, similar
to the chewing movements of a rabbit, and has most frequently been associated
with the use of antipsychotic medications. RS is often unrecognized or
misdiagnosed as tardive dyskinesia or pseudoparkinsonism. Although rare, RS is
easily treatable if recognized. It is essential that nurses are able to
distinguish this syndrome from other movement disorders; however, a lack of
information exists in the nursing literature about this syndrome. The aims of
this article are to describe the clinical symptoms of RS, its prevalence and
etiology, and recommended treatment. Clinical and educational implications
regarding RS are also provided.
AUTHORS
Dr. Lindsey is Undergraduate Program Director and
Assistant Professor, and Ms. Mehalic is Research Assistant, Illinois State
University Mennonite College of Nursing, Normal, Illinois.
The authors disclose that they have no significant
financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or
indirectly in this activity, including research support.
Address correspondence to Pamela L. Lindsey, DNSc, RN,
Undergraduate Program Director and Assistant Professor, Illinois State
University Mennonite College of Nursing, Campus Box 5810, Normal, IL 61790;
e-mail: pllinds@ilstu.edu.
Received: May 28, 2009
Accepted: October 29, 2009
Posted: January 22, 2010
doi:10.3928/02793695-20091204-02
Research with the Doubly Vulnerable Population of Individuals who Abuse
Alcohol: An Ethical Dilemma
Priscilla Gage Gwyn, PhD, ARNP-BC, OCN; and Jessie M. Colin, PhD, RN
ABSTRACT
Individuals who have maladaptive patterns of drinking alcohol fall into
the category of vulnerable research participants for many reasons, not the
least of which includes the stigma often placed on individuals who abuse
alcohol. Vulnerable subgroups within the population of people who abuse alcohol
include women; older adults; incarcerated, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and
mentally ill individuals; as well as people from racial minorities. Thus, as
research participants, individuals who abuse alcohol can be labeled a doubly
vulnerable population. Belonging to more than one population simultaneously
can lead to a compromised ability to protect one’s own interests or
greater susceptibility to harm related to participating in research studies.
Arguments against including people who abuse alcohol as research participants
will be presented, followed by the argument for including these individuals,
which is suggested as the more ethically sound of the two points of view.
AUTHORS
Dr. Gwyn is Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, Florida Hospital
College of Health Sciences, Orlando, and Dr. Colin is Professor and Director,
Nursing PhD, Nursing Administration, and Nursing Education Programs, Barry
University, Division of Nursing, Miami Shores, Florida.
The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests
in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this
activity, including research support. The authors acknowledge Rev. Lewis R.
Gwyn, III, and Barry University’s Writing Center for their guidance and
editorial support in preparing the manuscript.
Address correspondence to Priscilla Gage Gwyn, PhD, ARNP-BC, OCN,
Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, Florida Hospital College of Health
Sciences, 671 Winyah Drive, Orlando, FL 32803; e-mail: gage.gwyn@fhchs.edu.
Received: March 22, 2009
Accepted: October 5, 2009
Posted: January 22, 2010
doi:10.3928/02793695-20100108-01
