CCN Mental Health & Substance Abuse in Corrections Flashcards

Which screening tool is most commonly used in correctional settings to identify inmates at risk for suicide upon intake?

Answer: Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)

The C-SSRS is widely adopted in correctional facilities for structured suicide risk screening at intake and throughout incarceration.

A correctional nurse finds an inmate who is unresponsive after suspected opioid overdose. What is the priority intervention?

Answer: Administer naloxone intranasally and call a code

Naloxone reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression and is the priority life-saving intervention before any other assessment.

Which of the following behaviors is a warning sign of imminent suicide risk in an incarcerated individual?

Answer: Giving away personal possessions

Giving away possessions indicates the individual may be preparing for death and is a classic behavioral warning sign of imminent suicide.

An inmate experiencing alcohol withdrawal on day 2 of incarceration develops tremors, diaphoresis, and a heart rate of 120 bpm. Which tool should the nurse use to assess severity?

Answer: Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA-Ar)

The CIWA-Ar is the validated standardized scale used to assess alcohol withdrawal severity and guide medication management.

Under the principle of equivalence of care in correctional nursing, what does this standard require?

Answer: Inmates must receive a level of care equivalent to what is available in the community

The equivalence standard, supported by NCCHC and ACHC, holds that incarcerated individuals are entitled to the same standard of care available in the general community.

Which medication is FDA-approved and most evidence-based for treating opioid use disorder in correctional settings?

Answer: Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone)

Buprenorphine/naloxone is FDA-approved for opioid use disorder and the combination formulation reduces diversion risk, making it preferred in corrections.