“The deeper into the swamp we walked, the greater the stillness. Negativity and angst dissolved. Silence seeped into our spines, relaxing our amplified neural conversations and untying cranky muscles.”—Pamela Sturtevant in her Reflections essay, “Of Swamps and Pandemics”

The July issue of AJN is now live. Here’s what’s new. Some articles may be free only to subscribers.

CE: Assessing Back Pain in Patients Presenting to the ED

This article describes the red flags that can alert clinicians to serious underlying conditions in patients who seek emergency care for back pain.

CE: Postpartum Depression: A Nurse’s Guide

The author presents the latest information on this debilitating mood disorder, including risk factors; consequences for the mother, partner, and baby; and screening and treatment options.

Legal Clinic: Crisis Standards of Care

The author discusses the ethical issues that arise when the standards of care shift from conventional to crisis and explains the legal implications for nurses.

QI: Eliminating Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries Caused by Graduated Compression Stockings

How an evidence-based practice initiative to reduce PIs among postsurgical patients prompted the discontinuation of a long-held practice.

There’s much more in our July issue, including:

  • A Viewpoint on the need to address children’s oral health in nursing education and practice.
  • An AJN Reports on the use of robots in health care.
  • A Local Action for the Global Goals column on actions nurses can take to promote resilient, equitable, and sustainable communities.

Click here to browse the table of contents and explore the issue on our website.

A note on the cover.

This month’s cover photo illustrates the strain of postpartum depression (PPD)—a mood disorder experienced by an estimated 13% of U.S. mothers. PPD, which can last for many months following childbirth, is associated with feelings of intense anxiety, sadness, and despair. Learn more about it in this month’s CE article.