The November issue of AJN is now live. Here are some articles we’d like to bring to your attention.

ajn1116-cover-onlineCE Feature: Preventing, Assessing, and Managing Skin Tears: A Clinical Review

Although skin tears are common, particularly among older adults and neonates, they are often inadequately documented and poorly managed, resulting in complications, extended hospital stays, and negative patient outcomes. In this article, the first in a series on wound care in collaboration with the World Council of Enterostomal Therapists, the authors describe the complications that developed in an elderly patient whose skin tear was improperly dressed and discuss best practices for preventing, assessing, documenting, and managing skin tears.

CE Feature: “Veteran Women: Mental Health–Related Consequences of Military Service

The last two decades have seen increasing numbers of women entering all branches of the U.S. armed forces. Many are exposed to traumatic events that place them at higher risk for mental health conditions. It’s essential for all nurses to be knowledgeable about the mental health issues commonly seen in this population. The author of this article reviews research confirming that both active-duty and veteran women are at increased risk for postdeployment mental health problems, including posttraumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, and suicide—and also addresses the nursing practice implications, including screening.

Supporting Family Caregivers: “Managing Complex Medication Regimens

This first installment in a series published in collaboration with the AARP Foundation offers an overview of how nurses can provide medication management education to family caregivers of older adults.

Cultivating Quality: “An Evidence-Based Infant Safe Sleep Program to Reduce Sudden Unexplained Infant Deaths

The authors of this article describe how a nurse-led clinical and educational safe sleep program in the neonatal ICU improved outcomes for infants and their families and caregivers.

There’s much more in our November issue, including a Transition to Practice article for new nurses that discusses the art of saying yes, and a What I’m Reading review of a book about an African American physician’s reflections on race and health care. Click here to browse the table of contents and explore the issue on our Web site.

A note on the cover:

This month’s cover photo of a nurse with a patient and her family member brings to mind an increasingly common experience for many Americans: being a family caregiver. A new series of articles in collaboration with the AARP Foundation, Supporting Family Caregivers: No Longer Home Alone, launches in this issue—and aims to help nurses offer the preparation that family caregivers need. The series, along with accompanying videos for caregivers to watch, informs nurses on how to best provide guidance on a variety of principles to family members who care for a loved one, 84% of whom say they could use more information or help on caregiving topics.