Continuing Education

A broader look at insulin

Be sure your knowledge is current. Takeaways: Insulin is a critical part of diabetes management for many people. Insulin types and delivery methods have changed drastically in the…

A warming planet and human health

Although most Americans voice concern about climate change (climate breakdown), many remain unaware that they’re experiencing its effects today. In fact, those born in the 1980s or later…

Acute kidney injury: A nursing challenge

The renal system comprises the kidneys, ureters, and urethra, which maintain homeostasis via filtration and excretion of waste products, participate in acidbase balance, produce renin for maintaining hemodynamics,…

Addressing patient and caregiver suffering

Suffering—it’s a powerful word that evokes a visceral response. Actually, patient means “one who suffers” in Latin. To reduce patient suffering, we need to consider the experience of nurses and other caregivers, because patient…
arrhythmogenic-cardiomyopathy

An overview of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy

Understanding conditions that can cause this disorder will help nurses educate and care for patients. Takeaways: Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a description given to various rare conditions that…
anesthesia

An overview of neuraxial anesthesia

Understand the basics so you can effectively manage your patients. Takeaways: Neuraxial anesthesia is the administration of medication into the subarachnoid or epidural space to produce anesthesia and…
anxiety in primary care

Anxiety in primary care: A primer for APRNs

Learn about the symptoms and treatment options, and cultivate a referral network.  Takeaways: Anxiety disorders commonly present in primary care settings, and advanced practice RNs (APRNs) will benefit…

Asthma education for pediatric patients

What’s a nurse to do without an asthma educator? CNE 1.5 contact Hours Learning Objectives 1. Identify triggers associated with asthma. 2. Discuss medications used to manage asthma. 3.…

Breast cancer care gets personal

Learning objectives 1. State how breast cancer is diagnosed and evaluated. 2. Identify the implications of genetics for patients with breast cancer. 3. Discuss targeted therapy for breast…

Cancer immunotherapy update

Review of immune checkpoint inhibitor and CAR T-cell therapy adverse effects and treatments. Takeaways: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved several immunotherapy agents to treat cancer,…
Caring for diverse patient populations in their homes

Caring for diverse patient populations in their homes

Empathy and respect open the door to good outcomes. CNE: 1.5 contact Hours Objectives: Describe practices to provide equitable, quality, effective culture-sensitive and patient-centered (CS/PC) care.  Discuss relationship building,…

Caring for individuals with sickle cell disease

Nurses play a pivotal role in ensuring optimal care.  Takeaways: Sickle cell disease is an inherited chronic condition that affects nearly every system in the body. Early recognition…

Caring for patients in respiratory failure

Respiratory failure is one of the most common reasons for admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and a common comorbidity in patients admitted for acute care. What’s…
Caring for patients with spinal cord injuries

Caring for patients with spinal cord injuries

Spinal Cord Injuries (SCIs) are a significant cause of disability, with profound—and in many cases devastating— consequences. According to recent data, about 12,000 SCIs occur annually in the United States, and up to 250,000 Americans are living…

Central vascular access device complications:

The nurse’s role at each point of care Takeaways: Central vascular access devices (CVADs) can be essential to accomplishing patient therapeutic regimens. Nurses must be able to recognize…

Climate change interventions

Addressing climate change through corporate social responsibility is urgent and timely in the COVID-19 disaster recovery period for the nursing profession.

Community-acquired pneumonia

Community-acquired Pneumonia (CAP) is exactly what it sounds like—a lung infection acquired while out and about in the world. The cause may be a virus, bacteria, or fungus.…
Comorbid mental illness on acute medical units

Comorbid mental illness on acute medical units

Overcome stigma and misconceptions to ensure quality care.   CNE: 1.5 contact Hours Learning Objectives:  Describe nursing care for patients on an acute medical unit who have comorbid mental illness.…
Concussion: Prevention, assessment, and management

Concussion: Prevention, assessment, and management

Concussion, a subset of mild traumatic brain injury, can lead to long-term effects, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy. (See Con­cussion’s impact.) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)…
Continuous glucose monitoring: the basics

Continuous glucose monitoring: THE BASICS

Technology aids diabetes self-management and enhances treatment planning.  CNE: 1.5 contact hours Learning Objectives: Describe continuous glucose monitor (CGM) device options and the differences between personal and professional devices.…

Decoding the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve

Mrs. Glenn, a 72-year-old female on a medical-surgical floor, was hospitalized 3 days ago for pneumonia. Since her admission, she has been on continuous pulse oximetry and is…
depression effects health black white note

Depression and chronic medical illness in adults

This dual diagnosis poses challenges for patients—and their nurses. Takeaways:  Adults with chronic medical illness have a high prevalence of co-morbid depression.  Depression often goes undiagnosed, leading to…
diabetes ribbon cardiovascular disease deadly duo

Diabetes and cardiovascular disease: A deadly duo

Learn about the vital education patients need to improve their outcomes. Takeaways: Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to multiple complications. The most common complication…
diabetes pharmacologic management update ant

Diabetes— Pharmacologic management update

Concentrated insulin and noninsulin medications help patients manage their diabetes. Takeaways: when large volumes of insulin are injected subcutaneously, inadequate absorption, poor adherence, insulin leaking at the site…
DKA

Diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state

Early identification and management are key to good outcomes.  Learning Objectives  Compare onset, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state. Identify special considerations for…
AML

Differentiation syndrome: An emerging oncologic complication

Nurses are critical to recognizing and managing this life-threatening condition.  Learning Objectives  Identify the pathophysiology of differentiation syndrome (DS). Compare DS with tumor lysis syndrome. Discuss DS management.…

ECMO and nurse-led mobilization

Early mobilization involves the early application and intensification of physical therapy within the first 2 to 5 days of a critical illness.

Evidence-based epilepsy care

Assessment, treatment, and self-management Takeaways:  Epilepsy is a complex disease that includes seizures that may or may not be active.  Recognizing comorbidities can improve health and quality of…

Evidence-based update on chest tube management

CHEST thoracotomy tubes (CTTs) have been around for centuries, but not until the late 1950s did they become standard of care for treating empyema, pneumothorax, hemothorax, hemopneumothorax, and…

Families and post-intensive care syndrome

Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) is defined as new or increased physical, cognitive, or mental health impairment in a patient after hospitalization in a critical care unit. Similarly, post-intensive…

Frequently asked questions about palliative care

Nurses can serve as leaders as they help patients and families through a difficult time. Takeaways: All nurses must be competent in providing palliative and end-of-life care. Nursing…

From surge plans to a culture of readiness

Translating scarce resource management into outcomes with impact. Takeaways: The more resource options available for day-to-day surge events, the more effectively hospital operations can withstand imbalances in supply…
genetics clinical setting ant

Genetics in the clinical setting

The central dogma of biology (deoxyribonucleic acid [DNA] to ribonucleic acid [RNA] to protein) was first described in 1957, before the current average-aged 50-year-old nurse was born. And it…
Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes

Early identification aids proper management.  CNE: 1.5 contact Hours Learning Objectives: Describe causes and risk factors of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and associated maternal complications and fetal risks. Discuss…
heart

Heart failure management: Updated guidelines

The 2022 heart failure management update includes patient-centric recommendations focused on stages, primary prevention, left ventricular ejection fraction classification, pharmacologic management, and comorbidity management.

Home care safety

Home care is unique, placing nurses and other healthcare professionals in patients’ homes and personal space, and doesn’t include typical healthcare organization requirements.
HTN

Hypertension update: Implications for nursing practice

Following the current guidelines helps ensure patients achieve treatment goals.  Takeaways Hypertension is defined as systolic blood pressure of ≥130 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure of ≥80 mmHg.…

Knee Osteoarthritis: Assessment and management

CNE: 1.5 contact Hours Learning Objectives: Describe causes and risk factors of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), related health assessments, diagnostic tests that may be recommended by providers, and patient education…

Lung cancer: Not just a smoker’s disease

Jill Smith, a 58-year-old waitress in a local bar, comes to the clinic complaining of shortness of breath and a persistent cough for the last month. She reports…

Managing chronic pain in cancer survivors

Key takeways Patients may experience cancer pain even after their cancer has been adequately treated and is in remission or cured. Proper assessment is key to pain management…

Managing pain in frail elders

Managing pain in any older adult poses unique challenges. But older adults who are frail are more likely to experience chronic pain, acute pain, or both. What’s more, they stand a greater chance that…

Medical Cannabis: What Nurses Need to Know

Nurses can help patients make smart decisions by educating themselves. Takeaways: Nurses frequently treat patients who use or are considering using cannabis as a medicine. Finding and validating…

Medication adherence in underserved populations

Bridging the gap requires nurse intervention. Individuals within underserved populations face many hurdles to healthcare. They lack access, experience disparities in health literacy, and must consider how they…

Mitigating melanoma

Early detection and intervention is key for higher survival rates. Takeaways: Late identification and recognition of melanoma lead to worsening health outcomes. Nursing patient education requires that nurses…

Moisture-associated skin damage: The basics

Identification, prevention, and management CNE: 1.5 contact Hours Learning Objectives Describe causes and risk factors for moisture-associated skin damage (MASD). Describe the pathophysiology related to the four most common…

Mpox: Be prepared for the next outbreak

Knowledge can help reduce stigmatization and improve access to care. Takeaways: Cases of human Mpox had been considered rare, but current data show rapid spread from human-to-human transmission.…
np medication treatment opioid disorder

NP role in medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder

Combine medication and counseling with shared decision-making to treat addiction. Takeaways: Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), an evidence-based intervention for opioid use disorder and withdrawal symptom management, combines medication with counseling…

Nurses can help improve outcomes in severe sepsis

The body’s systemic response to an infection, sepsis can progress to severe sepsis and, in some cases, to septic shock. More than 1 million Americans suffer from severe sepsis annually. This number may grow in the…

Nursing ethics and shared governance model

Through shared governance, nurses are encouraged to participate in organizational decision-making to satisfy professional obligations. Incorporating ethical competence and professional development into everyday nursing practice is imperative to…
opioid non-opioid analgesia surgery ant

Opioid and non-opioid analgesia during surgery

Understanding how and why anesthesia providers select analgesic agents. Takeaways: Many options exist for managing intraoperative and postoperative surgical pain. Medications used for pain management can be broken…

Oral anticoagulants: Pharmacologic management update

Stay-up-to-date to avoid complications and achieve the best treatment for patients. Takeaways:  This article discusses the use of oral anticoagulants.  Indications, side effects and dosing of oral anticoagulants. …

Oral Chemotherapy: Not just an ordinary pill

Fran, a triage nurse in a busy primary care office, receives a call from Marla Rodriguez, whose mother is a long-time patient. Marla says her mother has an intense red rash over most of her…

Outpatient care of patients with COPD

Controlling symptoms and preventing exacerbations are the key to patient quality of life. Takeaways: Nurses must be able to identify patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) early…

Patient care in the dawn of the genomic age

Application of genetics and genomic science to health care is emerging in full force and having a powerful effect on nursing practice. Genomic medicine—using an individual’s genomic information to…
Pediatric pain management

Pediatric pain management

An individualized, multimodal, and interprofessional approach is key for success. Takeaways: Many pediatric patients experience unnecessary pain because of undertreatment and inadequate pain management after surgery. Barriers to…
postmenopausal women urinary incontinence ant

Postmenopausal women and urinary incontinence

According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, about 6,000 women in the United States enter menopause every day. During menopause (which is defined as the cessation…
Nurse,With,Patient.,Routine,Health,Check,And,Putting,Elderly,Patient

Pressure injury prevention in long-term care

Follow the evidence to improve outcomes.  Takeaways: High quality healthcare is established using evidence-based practice in nursing protocols and procedures. To decrease pressure injury (PI) rates in long-term…
preventing falls hospitalized patients

Preventing falls in hospitalized patients

Fall prevention “bundles” applied to all patients are ineffective; fall prevention interventions must be tailored to each individual patient’s fall risk factors.

Preventing hospital-acquired pneumonia

Implementing a fundamental nursing skills bundle can reduce risk. Takeaways: Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is a serious complication of an acute care admission, particularly for patients noted to be…
medication errors

Preventing medication errors by empowering patients

Preventable medication errors cost the U.S. healthcare system more than $21 billion annually, according to the National Priorities Partnership and National Quality Forum. This number has risen significantly…
pulmonary embolism

Pulmonary embolism: Surveillance is key

Reduce complications with thorough nursing assessment and close monitoring.   Takeaways Pulmonary embolism risk severity varies. Patients at high risk require close monitoring and an individualized prevention plan. Patient…

Recognizing oncologic emergencies

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2023 over 1.9 million individuals will receive a diagnosis of some form of cancer. Many will seek care for oncologic emergencies…

Reducing intracranial pressure in patients with traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) refers to blunt or penetrating head injury that disrupts normal brain functioning, causing impaired thinking and memory, personality changes, and possible sensory and motor changes. Some people recover completely with no cognitive deficits;…

Reducing readmissions in in COPD patients

A preventable and treatable lung disorder of adults, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common causes of hospitalizations and readmissions. It affects 15 million Americans; nearly one in five hospital patients older than age…
reducing readmissions in stroke patients

Reducing readmissions in stroke patients

Recognizing those at risk and exploring evidence-based strategies Takeaways: Stroke prevalence is projected to rise significantly by 2030 and increasing survivorship will lead to increased hospital discharges and…

Right-sided heart failure

Give the right side of the heart the attention it’s due. Takeaways: In right-sided heart failure, ventricular independence (between the right and left ventricles) can lead to systemic…
Secondary stroke

Secondary prevention of stroke

Every 40 seconds, a stroke occurs in the United States. This translates to approximately 795,000 strokes annually; of these, about 25% are recurrent strokes. Although stroke has declined…

Short peripheral and midline catheter complications

The nurse’s role at point of care Takeaways:  Short peripheral and midline catheters can be essential to accomplishing patient therapeutic regimens.   Nurses must be competent to recognize signs…

Skin failure: A historical perspective

Skin failure or skin changes associated with dying are a recognized factor in skin breakdown, particularly toward end of life, but also with acute, chronic, and dermatologic conditions.

Sleep and the glymphatic system

Dr. Rafael Pelayo, a sleep physician from Stanford University, shared this insight into how he explains the sleeping brain: “My mother worked in a factory sewing clothes and…
suicide among nurses might hurt us

Suicide among nurses: What we don’t know might hurt us

Research, prevention programs, and open discussion are required to reduce nurse suicide. Takeaways: Suicide is a challenging concern for healthcare professionals. The lack of data related to suicide among…

Time is brain

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), more than 795,000 Americans experience a stroke each year, and first-time strokes account for over three-quarters of them. An acute stroke,…

Transitional care can reduce hospital readmissions

Avoidable hospital admissions are a key patient safety and quality concern. A significant cause of preventable readmissions is poor communication and coordination of care during transitions. Transitions between…

Treating pain while mindful of opioid risks

Nurses can help avoid negative effects of opioids while ensuring patient pain is managed. Takeaways: Pain management can be complicated by individual patients’ previous pain experiences, genetics, ability…

Urgent care for stroke patients: Timing is everything

  While relaxing at home at about 4 PM, Alan Sarangelo, a retired 62-year-old respiratory therapist, feels the left side of his face growing numb. His wife, a nurse, suspects he may be having…

UTI revisited: Optimizing best practices

Urinary tract infection (UTI) continues to attract clinical attention as one of the world’s most prevalent infections. UTI broadly describes several clinical conditions, including cystitis, pyelonephritis, and renal…
venous thromboembolism troubling events

Venous thromboembolism: Very troubling events

Engage patients to help prevent this possibly deadly condition. Takeaways: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is responsible for more deaths annually than AIDS, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and motor vehicle…
Venous Ulcer Care

Venous ulcer care

Prompt, proper care will help reduce complications and improve quality of life.  Venous ulcers are the most common lower extremity wounds in the United States. Patients experience poor…

Ventilator-associated events: A new outcome measure

Learning objectives 1. Differentiate the three tiers used to identify ventilator-associated events (VAEs). 2. Identify key elements of VAE surveillance. 3. Discuss the practice implications of VAEs. Purpose/goal:…
Elderly Senior In a Hospital Bed

When up is down: Delirium superimposed on dementia

Distinguishing between the two conditions can help ensure prompt and appropriate treatment. CNE: 1.5 contact Hours Learning Objectives Describe how to differentiate delirium and dementia and assess for delirium…
women cardiovascular disease ant

Women and cardiovascular disease

Understand women’s unique risks and symptoms to ensure early identification and treatment of CVD. Takeaways: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality in women; women of…

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