Learn Nursing 101

In this Advanced Med-Surg review, we break down burn injuries, including the causes, classification, and severity of burns. This episode covers burn depth, total body surface area (TBSA) calculations, and early recognition of inhalation injury and burn shock. We also review the phases of burn care, priority nursing interventions during the emergent phase, fluid resuscitation, wound management, inf...

In this Advanced Med-Surg review, we break down kidney transplantation for clients with end-stage kidney disease. This episode covers indications for transplant, donor matching and tissue compatibility, priority preoperative preparation, and critical postoperative nursing care. We also review key complications such as organ rejection, infection, renal artery stenosis, and thrombosis, along with es...

In this Advanced Med-Surg review, we break down the two major types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. This episode covers indications, vascular access care, dialysis complications such as disequilibrium syndrome and hypotension, and key nursing responsibilities before, during, and after treatment. We also review peritonitis prevention, glucose monitoring, protein loss, and patient...

In this Advanced Med-Surg review, we break down renal laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures used to evaluate kidney function. This episode covers creatinine, BUN, urinalysis, and 24-hour urine collections, along with imaging studies such as KUB, CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, cystoscopy, renal biopsy, and excretory urography. Emphasis is placed on nursing responsibilities before and after each pro...

In this Advanced Med-Surg episode, we review shock as a life-threatening state of inadequate tissue perfusion and organ dysfunction. We break down the four major types of shock—cardiogenic, hypovolemic, obstructive, and distributive—along with stages of progression, key assessment findings, laboratory changes, and priority nursing interventions. This episode also covers hemodynamic monitoring, med...

This Week 6 Advanced Med-Surg episode focuses on liver dysfunction and gastrointestinal complications, with emphasis on inflammation, fibrosis progression, portal hypertension, and metabolic consequences of hepatic failure. Key topics include viral hepatitis (A–E), chronic hepatitis progression, cirrhosis, ascites, esophageal varices, hepatic encephalopathy, portal hypertension management, pancrea...

In this focused review, we examine hepatitis and cirrhosis, including inflammatory liver injury, viral transmission patterns, progression to chronic disease, and permanent hepatic scarring. This episode reviews the major types of viral hepatitis (A, B, C, D, and E), routes of transmission, laboratory interpretation, and liver biopsy care. Emphasis is placed on recognizing jaundice, dark urine, cla...

In this focused review, we examine acute and chronic pancreatitis, including pancreatic autodigestion, inflammatory mechanisms, and life-threatening complications. This episode reviews risk factors such as gallstones and alcohol use, classic assessment findings including severe epigastric pain radiating to the back, laboratory interpretation of elevated amylase and lipase levels, and diagnostic im...

In this focused review, we examine cholecystitis and cholelithiasis, including the formation of gallstones, biliary obstruction, inflammation of the gallbladder, and potential complications such as pancreatitis and peritonitis. This episode reviews risk factors, assessment findings, laboratory interpretation, diagnostic testing, medication therapy, surgical management, and postoperative care. Emph...

In this focused review, we examine acute and chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, including appendicitis, peritonitis, gastroenteritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and diverticulitis. This episode reviews pathophysiology, risk factors, assessment findings, laboratory interpretation, diagnostic testing, medication management, nursing priorities, surgical interventions, and potential compli...

In this focused review, we examine noninflammatory bowel disorders, including hernias, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), intestinal obstruction, hemorrhoids, and bowel cancers. This episode reviews pathophysiology, risk factors, assessment findings, diagnostic testing, medication management, nursing priorities, and potential complications. Special emphasis is placed on recognizing signs of strangula...

In this focused review, we explore acute and chronic gastritis, including erosive and nonerosive forms. We break down pathophysiology related to COX inhibition, prostaglandin loss, H. pylori infection, NSAID use, alcohol exposure, and autoimmune causes. This episode reviews risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnostic testing, medication management, nursing priorities, and complications such...

In this focused review, we explore major esophageal disorders including GERD, hiatal hernia, and esophageal varices. We’ll break down pathophysiology, risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnostic testing, medication management, and life-saving interventions for acute variceal bleeding. This episode emphasizes clinical judgment, complication recognition, and patient education to help nursing s...

In this comprehensive review, we break down key gastrointestinal therapeutic procedures including enteral feedings, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), paracentesis, nasogastric decompression, bariatric surgery, and ostomies. We’ll focus on indications, nursing responsibilities, complication prevention, and patient education. This episode strengthens clinical judgment by connecting procedures to rea...

In this focused review, we break down common gastrointestinal diagnostic procedures, including liver function tests, fecal occult blood testing, endoscopy (colonoscopy, EGD, ERCP), capsule endoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and GI series imaging. We’ll cover indications, nursing considerations, client preparation, postprocedure care, and recognition of complications such as hemorrhage, aspiration, and perf...

This Week 5 Advanced Med-Surg episode focuses on endocrine regulation and metabolic disorders, with emphasis on hormonal balance, glucose control, and adrenal function. Key topics include diabetes mellitus management, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS), thyroid disorders, Cushing’s syndrome, Addison’s disease, and nursing interventions that stabilize glucose, fluid...

In this Advanced Med-Surg review, we break down two life-threatening diabetic emergencies: diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS). This episode highlights key differences in pathophysiology, assessment findings, laboratory values, and priority nursing interventions, including fluid resuscitation, IV insulin therapy, electrolyte management, and prevention of cerebral...

This episode reviews diabetes mellitus with a focus on type 1 and type 2 pathophysiology, screening guidelines, and long-term management. We break down diagnostic criteria, insulin types and timing, oral and non-insulin injectables, and safe medication administration. You’ll also hear a clear review of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia recognition, sick-day management, foot care, nutrition planning,...

This episode reviews Addison’s disease and acute adrenal insufficiency, focusing on the pathophysiology of decreased cortisol and aldosterone and how this impacts fluid balance, electrolytes, and blood pressure. We break down primary vs. secondary causes, key lab findings, ACTH stimulation testing, and priority nursing interventions to prevent circulatory shock. You’ll also hear a focused review o...

In this Advanced Med-Surg episode, we review Cushing’s disease and Cushing’s syndrome, focusing on hypercortisolism and its widespread systemic effects. We break down endogenous versus exogenous causes, classic assessment findings such as moon face and buffalo hump, key laboratory abnormalities, and priority nursing interventions. This episode also covers medication management, surgical options, a...

In this Advanced Med-Surg review, we break down hypothyroidism, including primary, secondary, and tertiary causes, expected clinical findings, and key laboratory changes in T3, T4, and TSH. This episode highlights priority nursing assessments, thyroid hormone replacement therapy with levothyroxine, and patient education for safe lifelong management. We also review myxedema coma, a life-threatening...

In this Advanced Med-Surg episode, we review hyperthyroidism, with a focus on Graves disease, assessment findings, diagnostic testing, and evidence-based nursing management. We cover medication therapy, radioactive iodine treatment, thyroidectomy care, and priority interventions for life-threatening complications such as thyroid storm and airway obstruction. This concise, exam-focused review stren...

In this Advanced Med-Surg episode, we review pituitary disorders affecting both the anterior and posterior lobes. Topics include acromegaly, diabetes insipidus (DI), and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), with emphasis on hormone regulation, assessment findings, diagnostic testing, and priority nursing interventions. We break down growth hormone excess, ADH imbalance, fluid an...

In this Advanced Med-Surg episode, we review endocrine diagnostic procedures used to evaluate hormone excess, deficiency, and receptor dysfunction. Topics include posterior pituitary testing for diabetes insipidus and SIADH, adrenal cortex and medulla testing for Cushing’s disease, Addison’s disease, and pheochromocytoma, carbohydrate metabolism studies such as fasting glucose, glucose tolerance t...

This Week 4 Advanced Med-Surg and Critical Care episode focuses on intracranial regulation, neurologic injury, and mobility, with an emphasis on preventing secondary brain and spinal cord damage. We review key neurologic diagnostic procedures, intracranial pressure physiology, and evidence-based nursing interventions used to maintain cerebral perfusion and control ICP. The episode also covers acut...