If you’re learning about advanced Med Surg concepts or even working in the clinical setting, you’ve no doubt heard of pulmonary embolism. But did you know it goes beyond impaired gas exchange? Hit play on this episode to learn how a pulmonary embolism can impair cardiac function, potentially leading to devastating consequences. In this episode, you’ll review foundation concepts to help you understand this connection: Cardiopulmonary circulation Pulmonary embolism pathophysiology The factors that contribute to blood pressure ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view refe ..read more

If you’ve ever thought that CRNA school might be in your future, the time to start preparing is now…even if you’re not in nursing school yet! In this episode, I’m joined by Jenny Finnell, CRNA and CEO of CRNA School Prep Academy. Not only is Jenny a great mentor, but she’s also extremely knowledgeable about what it takes to get into a CRNA program.  Hit play on this episode to get some of your questions about the path to CRNA school, such as:  How do you know if CRNA school is the right career path for you? What sorts of things does a CRNA do? When is the ideal time to start preppin ..read more

Dextro transposition of the great arteries (D TGA) is a congenital cyanotic heart defect in which the pulmonary artery and the aorta are transposed. In this lesson, you’ll review normal cardiopulmonary circulation (which is essential to understanding this condition) and learn:  How the abnormal anatomy of D TGA affects physiology Why you actually want the child with D TGA to have another congenital heart defect Signs and symptoms of D TGA How the condition is diagnosed Risk factors for developing this congenital heart defect Treatments for D TGA ___________________ Full Transcript - Rea ..read more

Air embolism is a rare, but potentially fatal, event that occurs when a bolus of air enters the vascular space. The risks and consequences depend on which type of air embolism has occurred - venous or arterial. In this episode, you’ll learn: The differences between venous and arterial air embolism Causes and risk factors for air embolism Signs and symptoms of venous and arterial air embolism Tests conducted when air embolism is suspected How patients with air embolism are treated Nursing interventions to prevent air embolism ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view ref ..read more

Nursing school exam questions place you into a clinical scenario where you have to make decisions based on the information provided. Many times these scenarios are robust and full of a lot of details such as vital signs, past medical history, and the patient’s signs and symptoms. When you have a complex scenario such as this, it is called a case study. Case studies can be challenging for students for a variety of reasons:  They can be lengthy They contain a lot of information, much of it numerical data They often contain distractors or irrelevant information They may contain abbreviation ..read more

I've got something new and exciting to share with you! With over 330 episodes, I know it can sometimes be a little overwhelming to find exactly what you need...especially if you're new here. That's why I created the Playlist Prescription. Just fill out this quick form to get a FREE customized playlist of episodes on the topics you need help with the most, sent right to your inbox. Easy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ..read more

Local anesthetics are medications that block nerve impulses so that pain signals aren’t transmitted to the brain. The result is that the anesthetized area is numb and pain is controlled.  Just because local anesthetics are “local” doesn’t mean systemic toxicity can’t occur. Local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) occurs when local anesthetics extend into the system at toxic levels. It most typically occurs due to the physician accidentally injecting the medication into the intravascular space. However, it can also be from locally administered overdose, which leads to systemic toxicity ..read more

When the heart rate is irregular or too slow, cardiac output is compromised. A pacemaker may be utilized to support the heart’s electrical system, stabilize arrhythmias, and ensure the heart pumps at a rate that supports tissue perfusion throughout the body.  A pacemaker may be indicated in patients with arrhythmias such as sick sinus syndrome (also known as sinus node dysfunction), symptomatic bradycardia, or high-grade heart blocks. Other indications include post myocardial infarction, heart failure, congenital heart defects, and temporarily after some cardiac surgeries. This episode an ..read more

Even though nursing is THE most trusted profession, you may be surprised to learn that academic misconduct occurs at the same rate amongst nursing students as it does other academic disciplines. One reason for this is that cheating goes beyond just getting “extra help” on an exam, and students may not recognize other aspects of academic dishonesty as actual cheating.  The reason cheating is such a big deal in nursing school is that it’s not just the student who suffers. Ultimately, patient safety is at stake.  In this special bonus episode brought to you by ATI, we’re exploring the c ..read more

Did you know appendicitis is one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions you’ll see in the clinical setting? It’s also highly likely to show up on nursing school exams! In this episode you’ll learn:  Why symptoms can vary so much from person to person What we now know about the appendix (turns out, it’s not totally useless!) The classic presentation of a patient with appendicitis How to assess for rebound tenderness Where McBurney’s point is located Why pain medication might be held initially  Which tests are utilized for a patient with appendicitis and why this is different ..read more