Pearls and Prep

The discussion centers on the intricacies of weight gain associated with certain psychiatric medications, particularly focusing on the case of a mock patient named Johnny, a 30-year-old welder who has experienced significant weight gain while stabilized on Olanzapine, also known as Zyprexa. We delve into the three primary pathways that contribute to medication-induced weight gain: histamine antago...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep This podcast episode delves into six pivotal insights that possess the potential to radically transform our understanding of psychiatric practice and patient care. One particularly alarming statistic reveals that 4% of untreated...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep This podcast episode delves into the intricate considerations surrounding the selection of second-generation antipsychotics, particularly in patients presenting with metabolic syndrome and an expressed desire to transition from...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep This discussion centers on the intricate relationship between bipolar disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), particularly focusing on the challenges of prescribing stimulants to patients with these co-occu...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep This episode elucidates a case study that exemplifies the clinical presentation of serotonin syndrome, a condition characterized by a constellation of symptoms including altered mental status, muscle rigidity, and hyperthermia....

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep The principal focus of this discourse centers upon the concept of partial response to treatment with antidepressants, a phenomenon characterized by a reduction in depression rating scores of less than 50%. Throughout our dialogu...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep This podcast episode presents a compelling exploration of a mock case study concerning a 35-year-old woman who has experienced significant psychological distress following her recent job loss. The salient point of the discussion...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep The central theme of today’s discourse revolves around the intricate relationship between cannabis use and its implications on mental health, particularly emphasizing the significance of understanding the endocannabinoid system....

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep The salient point of this podcast episode centers on the multifaceted advantages and unique pharmacological profile of Remeron, particularly in the treatment of depression. We commence with a clinical vignette involving a patien...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep The discourse presented herein meticulously elucidates the paramount significance of vitamin D, positing it as a pivotal hormone rather than merely a dietary vitamin. We expound upon the profound implications of vitamin D on neu...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep In this podcast episode, we meticulously dissect the pharmacological distinctions between Lexapro and Prozac, with the objective of determining the most suitable medication for our hypothetical patient, Benny. Benny, a 32-year-o...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep Welcome back to a BONUS episode of Pearls and Prep! This episode dives deep into one of the most under-discussed and urgent realities of ADHD: the strikingly higher risk of premature death across the lifespan—and what actually d...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep 🎙️ Episode Description Antidepressants are foundational in psychiatry — and also one of the easiest ways to accidentally destabilize mood if bipolar risk isn’t recognized early. In this episode of Pearls and Prep , we break down...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep Are you a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) student struggling to make sense of p-values, odds ratios, or confidence intervals? Do you wish someone would just explain evidence-based practice in mental health u...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep This week’s Pearl of the Week dives into one of psychiatry’s most overlooked breakthroughs: the only transdermal antidepressant the FDA has ever approved. Why did this one medication earn a category all its own? What makes its d...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep This podcast episode elucidates the complexities surrounding dystonia, a neurological movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions leading to abnormal postures and movements. We commence by exploring a mock...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep The salient point of this podcast episode is the astonishing statistic that the average delay in accurately diagnosing bipolar disorder is nine years following a patient's initial depressive episode. This revelation underscores...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep 🔥 Bonus Board Bombs: 3 High-Yield Questions Every PMHNP Must Master Before the Exam Get ready to level up your PMHNP board prep with three ultra-high-yield “Board Bombs” designed to sharpen your clinical reasoning, boost exam c...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep The primary focus of this podcast episode revolves around the intricate relationship between caffeine consumption and its potential psychological ramifications, particularly as illustrated through the case of a mock patient name...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep Think you know your DSM-5-TR inside and out? In this Pearl of the Week episode, we’re asking a question that stumps even seasoned clinicians: Which DSM-5-TR diagnosis actually requires a validated rating scale to confirm it? Is...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep Today, we delve into the intricate case of mock patient, Gus, a 23-year-old male grappling with debilitating depression and psychotic symptoms. His experience includes a notable history of Wellbutrin use, which initially seemed...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep This podcast episode delves into the intricacies of pharmacological preparations for the NP board exams, specifically focusing on the implications of amitriptyline and its adverse effects. We meticulously analyze a clinical vign...

Differentiating ADHD from Bipolar Disorder: A Case Study with Dale In this episode of 'Pearls and Prep,' host NPZ presents a detailed case study of a mock patient named Dale, exploring symptoms that could be indicative of ADHD or bipolar disorder. The session focuses on analyzing Dale’s history, behavior, and psychiatric background to understand the complexity of his condition. Key educational poi...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep 🎧 Episode Title: 3 Board Bombs Every Psych NP Needs to Master: Illness Anxiety, Lamotrigine, and MAOI Protocols Episode Summary: Whether you're days from testing or deep in the trenches of your clinical prep, this episode deliv...

There are two kinds of clinicians—the ones who follow algorithms, and the ones who understand the “why.” Be the second on Patreon: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/PearlsandPrep Managing PTSD and Nightmares: An In-Depth Case Study In this episode of Pearls and Prep, the focus is on a mock patient named Marcus who has been suffering from PTSD-related nightmares after falling into a non-active volcano yea...