Nothing is more important to the patient’s outcome than properly performed chest compressions.
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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…
Acute kidney injury: Causes, phases, and early detection
When you arrive for your afternoon shift, you receive report from the day-shift nurse. He states he just admitted Marc…
Adults with chronic kidney disease: Overview and nursing care goals
Takeaways: Millions of adults in the United States have or are at risk for developing chronic kidney disease (CKD); incidence…
Advocating for patients in an era of drug-delivery problems
Learn what steps you can take to help patients avoid drug contamination and cope with drug shortages.
Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia: Discerning the differences
Assessment is key for optimal management. Takeaways: An early symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is decline in cognition, most typically manifesting…
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…
An overview of neuraxial anesthesia
Please visit the ANA’s website to take the CE: https://www.nursingworld.org/continuing-education/an-overview-of-neuraxial-anesthesia/ Understand the basics so you can effectively manage your patients.…
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…
Assessing and preventing cognitive impairment in the elderly
All segments of the international population are living longer, and many will experience dementia. Policymakers are focused on the cost estimates of caring for elders with cognitive impairment. The World Alzheimer Report 2016, from Alzheimer’s Disease International, a global federation of 85 Alzheimer’s associations, highlighted the need to make dementia an international health priority. The numbers in the report are staggering: 47 million people are estimated to be living with dementia worldwide, with the number projected to increase to more than 131 million by 2050. The report recommends that nations develop a plan to address dementia, removing the stigma around it, and protecting the human rights of these individuals.
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.…
Atrial fibrillation: Recognition and management to improve quality of life
Keep patients at the center of decision making. Learning Objectives Describe atrial fibrillation and symptoms associated with it. Describe management…
Boost your confidence in caring for patients with insulin pumps
Beth T, age 42, is a Caucasian female with a 32-year history of type 1 diabetes and a 15-year history of…
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 survivors: Assessment and management of long-term treatment effects
Survivor care continues long after treatment ends. Takeaways: Long-term effects of breast cancer treatment include fatigue, hot flashes and night sweats,…
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…
Cardiac resynchronization therapy: An approach to reducing heart-failure readmissions
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) can help reduce readmissions in patients with heart failure (HF). It uses an implanted cardiac device…
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…
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…
Caring for infants and families affected by neonatal abstinence syndrome
Standardized care and compassion are key to successful treatment. Takeaways Evidence-based standardized protocols are needed to provide the best treatment…
Caring for Patients after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
Understanding options for patients helps you be a more effective caregiver. Takeaways Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an alternative to…
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…
Caring for patients receiving vasopressors and inotropes in the ICU
Vigilant monitoring will maximize outcomes. (more…)
Caring for patients with metabolic syndrome
A precursor to serious complications, this dangerous condition is on the rise among Americans.
Caring for patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the community
Key takeways Early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is important to manage symptoms. A combination of biologics and non-drug management of…
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…
Central lines: Recognizing, preventing, and troubleshooting complications
Central lines can save lives. But dangerous complications can occur unless caregivers know how to identify, prevent, and solve potential problems.
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…
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. (See CAP stats.) community acquired pneumonia cap stats The estimated cost of treating CAP in the United States is about $12.2 billion a year. Inpatient treatment ranges from $7,500 to $10,227 per admission, whereas outpatient treatment ranges from $150 to $350 per patient. This difference demonstrates the need for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
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…
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) estimates that approximately 30 million children in the United States participate in sports that put them at risk for head trauma and concussion. And many young athletes who experience mild head trauma don’t report symptoms until hours after the injury.
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…
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…
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…
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…
Diabetes— Pharmacologic management update
Concentrated insulin and noninsulin medications help patients manage their diabetes. Takeaways: when large volumes of insulin are injected subcutaneously, inadequate…
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)…
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…
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. …
Evidence-based practices for osteoarthritis management
Self-management education is the foundation of osteoarthritis care. Takeaways: · Osteoarthritis is a chronic disorder of the joints that is…
Evidence-based update on chest tube management
Is your practice current? Takeaways: Chest thoracotomy tube (CTT) management can seem challenging, so let evidence-based practice guide you. Familiarize…
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 care syndrome-family (PICS-F) refers to new or increased cognitive or mental health impairment in family members after a loved one is hospitalized in a critical care setting.
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…
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…
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 wasn’t until 2008 that genetics was considered essential to nursing education, when most experienced nurses were already at least 45. In other words, many nurses have minimal genetics education and may not feel comfortable incorporating genetics assessment and implications into a patient care plan.
Gestational diabetes
Early identification aids proper management. CNE: 1.5 contact Hours Learning Objectives: Describe causes and risk factors of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)…
Guiding your patients through menopause
The more you know about menopause, the more you can help patients understand and cope with symptoms.
Home care safety
Takeaways: Home care is unique, placing nurses and other healthcare professionals in patients’ homes and personal space, and doesn’t include…
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…
Implementation: The linchpin of evidence-based practice changes
Take a strategic approach to translating research into practice. Takeaways Implementation is a major step in the evidence-based practice (EBP)…
Improving care and outcomes for patients with bladder conditions
Key takeways Bladder conditions are common, costly, and hidden. With adequate information, individuals can participate in self-care for treatment and…
Introduction to immunotherapy: What nurses need to know about emerging therapies
Understanding these rapidly evolving treatments will help you advocate for patients and manage side effects. By Beth Boseki, MSN, RN, OCN,…
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…
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…
Mitigating melanoma
Early detection and intervention is key for higher survival rates. Takeaways: Late identification and recognition of melanoma lead to worsening…
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…
Nursing Schools See Enrollment Bump Amid Pandemic
Last December, Mirande Gross graduated from Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky, with a bachelor’s degree in communications. But Gross has…
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.…
Optimizing postoperative pain management in patients with chronic pain
Evidence-based recommendations. Takeaways: Inadequate postoperative pain relief can increase length of stay, delay discharge, increase readmission rates, and delay ambulation.…
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. …
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…
Pain assessment and nonpharmacologic management in older adults
Takeaways: Pain assessment in older adults is best guided by a systematic framework, such as the Hierarchy of Pain Assessment.…
Pediatric pain management
An individualized, multimodal, and interprofessional approach is key for success. Takeaways: Many pediatric patients experience unnecessary pain because of undertreatment…
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 of menstruation for 12 consecutive months), estrogen levels significantly decrease, resulting in hormonal fluctuations and physiological changes to the genitalia.
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.…
Preventing falls in hospitalized patients
Engage patients and families in a three-step prevention process to reduce the risk of falls. Takeaways: Falls occur in approximately…
Preventing high-alert medication errors in hospital patients
Mistakes involving medications are among the most common healthcare errors. Medication errors lengthen hospital stays, increase inpatient expenses, and lead…
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…
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…
Providing optimal care for patients with central catheters
Confused about central catheters? Here’s what you need to know.
Psychiatric assessment strategies for inpatients: Resources with a purpose
Adults with psychiatric conditions who are admitted as inpatients need to be assessed carefully to ensure they receive the best possible care. Although staff nurses don’t…
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…
Recognizing and Managing Complications of Acute Myocardial Infarction
Please visit the ANA’s website to take the CE: https://www.nursingworld.org/continuing-education/recognizing-and-managing-complications-of-acute-my/ Good outcomes require early identification and prompt treatment. Takeaways: Early…
Recognizing heart failure symptoms can improve patient self-management
Click here to download the PDF. Despite life-sustaining medical management for patients with critically worsening symptoms, heart failure (HF) prevalence…
Reducing nasogastric tube misplacement through evidence-based practice
Is your practice up-to-date? Takeaways: Recent studies have shown that more than 88% of nurses are using non-evidence based methods…
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…
Reducing sepsis deaths: A systems approach to early detection and management
An interdisciplinary sepsis initiative eases the sepsis burden on patients, families, and the healthcare system.
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…
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…
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…
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.…
Supplemental nutrition in hospitalized patients with diabetes
Continuing Nursing Education Learning objectives 1. Differentiate between enteral and parenteral nutrition. 2. Discuss how to manage hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia…
The case for capnography in patients receiving opioids
It’s your worst nightmare: At 8 A.M., you walk into the room of Laura M, a 35-year-old patient who had surgery…
Therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest
Cooling the temperature can protect the patient’s neurologic function and increase the chance for survival.
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…
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…
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.…
Using oral care to prevent nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia
May Grossman, age 57, is admitted for elective surgery to reverse a colostomy from a previous surgical procedure. Her health…
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…
Venous ulcer care
Prompt, proper care will help reduce complications and improve quality of life. Venous ulcers are the most common lower extremity…
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.…
What every nurse should know about staffing
Learn how understanding your organization’s staffing process can help you influence staffing levels on your unit.
What goes up must come down: Hypertension and the JNC-8 guidelines
Essential (primary) hypertension is one of the most important preventable contributors to illness and death in the United States. Frequently…
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…
