Mobile crisis programs can decrease hospitalization rates for persons in crisis and can provide cost-effective psychiatric emergency services that are favorably perceived by consumers and police officers.

Applanation tonometry, used extensively by nurses, provides early detection of central haemodynamic changes and vascular compliance at all ages. Knowledge of arterial stiffness could guide the management of primary prevention in the nursing cardiovascular risk reduction clinic.

Health care providers should inquire about sexual orientation and sexual behaviour as part of a routine health history and be familiar with the unique health needs of sexual minorities to tailor clinical practice and foster safe, inclusive, health care environments.

Objective: Two studies evaluated the validity and reliability of the Daily Living Activities Scale (DLA), a 20-item functional assessment measure for adults with severe mental disorders. Method: The first study evaluated the internal consistency and interrater reliability of the DLA scoring for 85 clients with severe mental disorders currently receiving services from one of five different treatment programs. In the second study, symptomatology and functional assessment data were collected for 886 clients at time of admission to three different levels of care in community treatment and support services and at the time of 6-month progress reviews. Results: Internal consistency and interrater reliability were adequate. Criterion-related validity was evidenced by the ability of DLA scores to differentiate consumers in different levels of care and by diagnostic categories. Conclusions: Study findings provide evidence of the usefulness of the DLA to support the functional assessment data needs of service providers.

Nurse practitioners in the ED should identify patients with elevated BP, provide hypertension education, and ensure appropriate intervention and referral.