Straight A Nursing

Cardiomyopathy is a term that describes a disease affecting the heart muscle, and is most commonly related to damage of the myocardium. There are four categories of cardiomyopathy – dilated, restrictive, hypertrophic and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathies. In this episode, you’ll learn the basics about each type, key nursing assessments, how cardiomyopathy is treated and the main tests used to evaluate the condition. View references and read about cardiomyopathy in the article Cardiomyopathy NCLEX Review. Are you looking for an easier way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics as well as out-of-this-world study guides! If this episode helped you, please take a moment to rate and review the show! This helps others find the podcast, which helps me help even more people

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the body’s ability to respond to insulin or produce insulin is impaired. This results in abnormal carbohydrate metabolism and elevated blood glucose levels. In this episode you’ll learn the basic things to know about diabetes so you can feel confident at the bedside or on nursing school exams (including NCLEX!). Hit the play button to learn: Differences between the various types of diabetes Physiology of blood glucose and pathophysiology of diabetes Classic signs and symptoms of diabetes (including the three Ps) Vital nursing assessments for a patient with diabetes Tests utilized in the treatment of diabetes Diabetes treatments including pharmacology and the different types of insulin Other important treatments including foot care, nutrition, and lifestyle modifications Hypoglycemia treatment Important patient/family education For even more information about diabetes, check out Med Surg Solution. Read the article and view references here. If this episode hel

Applying to nursing school can be a complex process, which requires organization and attention to detail. In this episode, we’ll explore what the application process entails and tips for managing it all like a pro. Overview of the application process The difference between merit based, lottery system, and first-come-first-served Overview of the ATI TEAS exam Tips for preparing for the ATI TEAS exam Advice for your nursing school interview Tips for writing an irresistible essay Use promo code SAN2023 to save 15% on ATI TEAS prep materials when you spend $50 or more. Learn more about ATI TEAS prep materials here. Promotion cannot be combined with any other offer. Promotion only available on ATI TEAS prep products, cannot be applied to TEAS testing fees or transcripts. Promotion cannot be applied to past purchases. Offer ends 10/31/2023. If this episode helped you, please take a moment to rate and review the show! This helps others find the podcast, which helps me help even more people

One of the most common lab tests ordered for your patients is the BMP, otherwise known as the basic metabolic panel. This lab test looks at eight different components which provide a wealth of information about your patient’s condition. The components of the BMP are sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, carbon dioxide, glucose, BUN and creatinine. Read the article and view references here. Review lab values and electrolytes when you study with Study Sesh! Study Sesh is my private podcast that uses PodQuizzes, Drills, Case Studies and more to truly change the way you study. Learn more here. If this episode helped you, please take a moment to rate and review the show! This helps others find the podcast, which helps me help even more people

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a hypermetabolic crisis that is fatal if left untreated. It occurs in individuals with a specific genetic condition when they are exposed to certain anesthetic gasses or the medication succinylcholine. In this episode, you’ll learn: Malignant hyperthermia pathophysiology Complications of MH Who is most at risk for experiencing malignant hyperthermia Signs and symptoms Important assessments for a patient with malignant hyperthermia Tests utilized to diagnose and evaluate MH Treatments for malignant hyperthermia (and why you’ve got to act fast and get help!) Key patient education To learn more about DIC, listen to episode 173 To learn more about rhabdomyolysis, listen to episode 251 To learn more about compartment syndrome, listen to episode 119 Read the article about malignant hyperthermia and view references here. If this episode helped you, please take a moment to rate and review the show! This helps others find the podcast, which helps me help even more people

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a chronic mental health condition in which the individual has recurring, unwanted thoughts or fears that cause a significant amount of stress that can only be relieved by performing ritualistic behavior. The recurring thoughts or fears are the individual’s obsessions. The ritualistic activity that alleviates the obsessive thoughts and the associated stress is the compulsion. In this episode you’ll learn: The pathophysiology of OCD and who is most at risk Complications of the condition Key signs and symptoms of OCD Priority nursing assessments How OCD is diagnosed Treatment for OCD, including cognitive behavioral therapy and pharmacology Important patient education Read the article about obsessive compulsive disorder and view references here. Change the way you study with Study Sesh. If you’re tired of sitting and staring at a screen or a book, it’s time to check out Study Sesh! If this episode helped you, please take a moment to rate and review the show! This helps oth

When students struggle with pharmacology it’s typically because they’re trying to memorize drugs, their indications, important nursing implications, and the many side effects. And while these things are important, they’re only part of the picture. To understand pharmacology, you must do more than memorize and, instead, invest some energy in learning foundation concepts. In this episode, you’ll get a sneak peek into my new program Fast Pharmacology! I’ve taken some of the foundation lessons in that program and compiled them into this overview of key pharmacology concepts to help you be successful in this challenging class. Topics covered in this episode include: Overview of pharmacokinetics: absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion Onset, peak and duration defined and why knowing this information is vital for the nurse The difference between delayed release and extended release formulations The basics of pharmacodynamics The difference between efficacy and potency Pharmacologic classifications

Pleural effusions are defined as a buildup of excess fluid between the pleura and it can occur as a consequence of a wide variety of conditions. In this episode, you’ll learn: The two types of pleural fluid Risk factors for pleural effusion Complications of pleural effusion Signs and symptoms of pleural effusion Priority assessments How pleural effusions are identified and what lab tests are conducted Treatments for pleural effusion Important patient education To review chest tube management, listen to episode 124. To dive deep into respiratory assessment, listen to episode 237. Read the article about pleural effusions and view references here. Grab the FREE Straight A Nursing LATTE template to easily create your own Med Surg study guides. Are you looking for an easier way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics as well as out-of-this-world study guides!     If this episode helped you, please take a moment to rate and review the show! This helps others find the

Being able to decipher medical language means understanding the common roots, suffixes and prefixes. For example, if you know “ectomy” means the removal of something…even without recognizing the rest of the word, you at least know the patient had some kind of surgical procedure and something was removed. A great example of this is appendectomy or lobectomy. In this PodQuiz, you’ll test your knowledge of medical terms as you review along with me. If this is your first PodQuiz, here’s how it works: I’ll ask a question, give you time to answer and then tell you the answer. It’s basically like doing flashcards for your ears! If you love this format for reviewing and learning material, then you’ll really love Study Sesh, my audio-based program that allows you to get up from your desk and study on-the-go. Study Sesh includes more than 100 PodQuizzes, covering a wide range of topics (plus, there’s some other really cool stuff in there, too!). Learn more about Study Sesh here…and change the way you study! If

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) occurs when the body has an inadequate response to postural changes and, as a result, is unable to maintain a steady blood pressure when moving from a lying to standing position. It is defined as a decrease in systolic or diastolic blood pressure that occurs within three minutes of moving from a sitting or supine position to a standing position. The parameter for OH is a decrease of 20 mmHg systolic or a decrease of 10 mmHg diastolic. In this episode you’ll learn: * The physiology of orthostatic hypotension * The key difference between acute and chronic OH * How neurogenic OH differs from non-neurogenic OH * Conditions that exacerbate OH * Why drug-induced OH occurs * Medical conditions that can cause an individual to have acute or chronic OH * The complications of orthostatic hypotension * How orthostatic hypotension is diagnosed * How orthostatic hypotension is treated * Pharmacology for OH Read the article and view references here. Are you looking for an easier way to learn

Because of the propensity for gout to occur in the wealthy who lived a lavish lifestyle, gout was once called the “disease of kings.” Today gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis that can lead to significant pain and lack of mobility. In this episode, you’ll learn the following about caring for patients with gout: * The pathophysiology of gout * The four phases of gout * Risk factors that predispose someone to gout * Gout signs and symptoms * Tests and treatments for gout * Dietary modifications that can help prevent gout attacks * Key patient education To learn more about allopurinol, one of the most commonly utilized medications for gout, check out All About Allopurinol: Episode 202 while you’re at it! Read the article "Gout NCLEX Review" and view references here. Are you looking for an easier way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics as well as out-of-this-world study guides! If this episode helped you, please take a moment to rate and review the s

Pertussis (also known as “whooping cough”) is a respiratory tract infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. It is a highly contagious disease that predominantly impacts children. In this episode you’ll learn the key things you know about pertussis: * Pertussis pathophysiology and stages of disease * The pertussis vaccine * Complications of pertussis * Signs and symptoms of pertussis * Key nursing assessments for a patient with pertussis * Tests that will be ordered * Treatments for pertussis * Important patient education information To learn more about respiratory distress in children, listen to Episode 140. And, to dive into ECMO, you can read more about it here. Read the article Pertussis Basics for Nursing Students and view references here. Review pediatric topics on the go with Study Sesh! Study for your nursing school exams and NCLEX on the go with over 90 PodQuiz episodes covering a wide range of topics. Sign up for Study Sesh here! If this episode helped you, please take a moment to

Have you ever wondered what float pool nursing is like? These vital nurses fill staffing gaps throughout various units in the hospital, meaning no two days are the same. Whether you’re an experienced nurse looking for a change of pace or a nursing student who is intrigued by the idea of having a lot of variety, this episode on float pool nursing is for you!  Join me as I talk with Annie Fulton from the Up My Nursing Game podcast. In this episode, Annie shares all the details on working in float pool nursing. I especially love how she describes her role as a "pollinator of knowledge" throughout the hospital. Hit play to hear more on this topic! ________ Are you a new grad nurse? If so, you probably have a lot of questions! Check out my free e-book, The New Grad Q&A Guide Want to start your career strong? Then you belong in Confident Nurse Academy, a virtual new grad residency program. Learn more here. Want more advice as you start your career? Check out these episodes! ------------------------------- The

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common inherited hematologic disorders and can lead to serious complications including organ failure and death. In this episode, Nurse Mo talks through the key things you should know about sickle cell disease, including: * The four key crises of sickle cell disease * How SCD affects different organs and systems in the body * Who is most at risk for the disease * Key signs and symptoms of SCD and vaso-occlusive crisis * Priority nursing assessments * Tests utilized to diagnose and evaluate the condition * Treatments for SCD, including vaso-occlusive crisis * Four medications utilized to help prevent vaso-occlusive events * Important education points to share with patients and families Want to learn more about the only real cure for sickle cell disease? Learn about bone marrow transplant in episode 279. Did you enjoy the PodQuiz at the end of the episode? Imagine having over a 100 episodes dedicated to PodQuizzes covering a wide range of nursing school topics! Sta

I remember being a new grad nurse and foolishly thinking my biggest challenge would be learning critical care pathophysiology. Boy was I wrong. Nursing is a complex job and the learning phase involves a whole lot more than learning about how to care for patients. It also involves learning how to care for ourselves, too. In this episode, I’m talking with Stephanie Griffeth about a concept that highlights how vitally important it is that nurses take as excellent care of themselves as they do their patients, especially in the beginning of their careers. Click “play” to learn all about nurse shock, brilliantly explained using metaphors your nurse brain already understands. — Are you a new grad or almost new grad who is looking for support as you make your transition into your career? I’m creating a program to help you do just that! Learn more about Confident Nurse Academy here! If this episode helped you, please take a moment to rate and review the show! This helps others find the podcast, which helps me hel

In this podcast episode, I am joined by Kristin Wade from Fiscal Bliss Financial Coaching. She’s a nurse turned financial coach who is passionate about helping healthcare professionals make their hard-earned money work hard for them in return. If you’re a new grad or about to finally start your career, you may have some questions about evaluating hospital employment contracts, whether or not you need liability insurance and how to manage your “real nurse money.” Kristin talks about all these must-know topics in this episode! You can reach out to Kristin and learn a lot more on her website. Are you a new grad or almost new grad who is looking for support as you make your transition into your career? I’m creating a program to help you do just that! Click here to learn more about and sign up for Confident Nurse Academy. _____________________________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content o

In episode 288, I mentioned the importance of having a growth mindset as one way to set yourself up for new grad success. In this special bonus episode, I’m expanding on this concept by bringing in Stephanie Griffeth, my nurse bestie and amazing nurse educator and coach. In this episode you’ll learn the number one mistake new grad nurses make and what to do instead. And spoiler alert…the mistake probably isn’t what you think! Got questions about being a new grad nurse? Get a free e-book I wrote with Nurse Steph here: The New Grad Q&A Guide Listen to episode 288 to hear 4 more ways to set yourself up for new grad success. Tune in from your podcast player, or from the Straight A Nursing website here. If this episode helped you, please take a moment to rate and review the show! This helps others find the podcast, which helps me help even more people :-) _____________________________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for ed

A lumbar puncture is a procedure that involves the insertion of a needle into the space between two lumbar vertebrae to obtain a sample of CSF for evaluation. In this episode you’ll learn about the nursing implications for a patient undergoing a lumbar puncture, including: * What conditions lumbar punctures are most often used to diagnose * The normal qualities of CSF * How a lumbar puncture is performed * Contraindications for lumbar puncture * Common and serious complications of lumbar puncture * Preparing the patient for lumbar puncture * Caring for the patient after the procedure * Key things to teach the patient/family Read the article and view references here. Are you looking for an easier way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics as well as out-of-this-world study guides! If this episode helped you, please take a moment to rate and review the show! This helps others find the podcast, which helps me help even more people :-) _______________________________

The transition from student to new grad RN is a time of incredible transformation and growth. It is also a time of immense challenges. In this episode, I’m sharing five things you can do to set yourself up for new grad success. You’ll learn: * Why “you’re doing great” is terrible feedback and what to ask for instead * Why you’re not going to be competent after a few months and why this is actually where you’re supposed to be * How to maximize being an advanced beginner, or even a novice nurse * Your secret weapon when you don’t know what to do or how to do it * How leaning into the rough bits makes you stronger * An easy shift you can make in your self-talk that propels you into a much more powerful mindset Got questions about being a new grad nurse? Get a free e-book I wrote with my nurse bestie here: Get the New Grad Guide __________  The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast is i

In nursing school, I learned that digital clubbing was a key sign of COPD and I accepted this as gospel and moved on with my life. I used this information to answer exam questions on the topic and I always included assessing for it in my care plans for patients with COPD. But, like all things in nursing, there’s so much more to this story. In this episode you’ll learn why much of what you’ve been taught about digital clubbing is wrong, and what’s actually going on (spoiler alert…we don’t fully know!) In this episode, you’ll get answers to your burning questions: * What is digital clubbing? * What disease conditions are associated with digital clubbing? * How is digital clubbing evaluated, measured and categorized? * What is the pathophysiology of digital clubbing? Read the article and view references here. Are you looking for an easier way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics as well as out-of-this-world study guides! If this episode helped you, please take a