Pulse Check with Archer Nursing

RA vs. OA: Can you tell the difference? 🦴This week on Pulse Check, we're breaking down Rheumatoid Arthritis vs. Osteoarthritis — the anatomy, the causes, the hallmark signs, and how treatment differs for each. From morning stiffness clues to classic joint deformities, we'll help you nail this comparison for clinicals, NCLEX, and beyond.🩺 What you'll learn:The anatomy of a healthy joi...

In this episode of Pulse Check with Archer Nursing, Dr. Morgan Taylor breaks down serotonin syndrome in a clear, NCLEX-focused way. You’ll learn how too much serotonin affects the body, which medications can increase risk, and what symptoms nurses should recognize quickly, including fever, tachycardia, tremors, hyperreflexia, and agitation. Morgan walks through a case study involving an SSRI and t...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor breaks down neonatal abstinence syndrome, including why withdrawal happens after birth, what symptoms nurses should watch for, and why low-stimulation care, swaddling, small frequent feeds, skin protection, and parent education are so important. You’ll also walk through a practice question and learn why the priority nursing action is to swaddle the newborn and re...

Third-trimester bleeding can point to very different clinical pictures, and in this episode, we’re breaking down two major causes: placenta previa and placental abruption. Dr. Morgan Taylor explains how to tell the difference between painless, bright red bleeding with a soft uterus in placenta previa and painful, dark red bleeding with a rigid “board-like” uterus and fetal distress in placental ab...

Your first year as a nurse is challenging, emotional, and full of learning — but you are not alone. In this episode of Pulse Check with Archer Nursing, Morgan is joined by Tiffany to talk honestly about what it’s like to be a new grad nurse. They share what they wish they knew during their first year, including why it’s okay not to know everything, how to use your resources, why asking questions m...

Anemia is all about impaired oxygen delivery — but not every type of anemia looks the same. In this episode of Pulse Check with Archer Nursing, Dr. Morgan Taylor breaks down the major anemia “buckets”: decreased red blood cell production, increased red blood cell destruction, and blood loss. You’ll learn how to recognize key clinical clues for iron deficiency anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency/pernici...

Adrenal crisis is a life-threatening emergency that nurses need to recognize fast. In this episode of Pulse Check with Archer Nursing, Dr. Morgan Taylor breaks down the adrenal glands, cortisol, aldosterone, and what happens when the body cannot mount an effective stress response. You’ll learn why adrenal crisis can cause hypotension, hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, and hyperkalemia — and how those fi...

Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a high-priority nursing topic because symptoms can progress quickly — especially when respiratory muscles become involved. In this episode of Pulse Check with Archer Nursing, Dr. Morgan Taylor breaks down Guillain-Barré Syndrome in a simple, memorable way. You’ll learn how the immune system attacks the myelin sheath, why symptoms often present as symmetric ascending weak...

Feeling overwhelmed by NCLEX questions? You’re not alone—but the right strategy can change everything. In this episode of Pulse Check with Archer Nursing, Dr. Morgan is joined by testing expert Dr. Jennifer Bonner to break down exactly how to approach NCLEX questions with confidence. Whether you’re second-guessing your answers or struggling with SATA questions, this episode gives you practical, ea...

Spinal cord injuries can feel overwhelming—but not after this episode. In Pulse Check with Archer Nursing, Dr. Morgan breaks down spinal cord injuries (SCI) in a way that actually makes sense—connecting anatomy, pathophysiology, and real-life nursing priorities so you know exactly what to do on exam day and in practice. Starting with a high-yield NCLEX-style question, we walk through:✔️ The anatom...

Graduation is right around the corner—but how do you really know if you’re ready for the NCLEX?In this episode of Pulse Check with Archer Nursing, Dr. Morgan breaks down exactly what “ready” actually means—and it’s not just about finishing nursing school. From thinking like a nurse to managing test anxiety, we’re giving you a clear, data-driven roadmap to walk into your exam with confidence. You’l...

Heart blocks do not have to be confusing. In this episode of Pulse Check with Archer Nursing, we take a challenging topic and make it finally click. From understanding how the heart’s electrical system works to recognizing Wenckebach, Mobitz II, and complete heart block, we simplify it step by step. You will follow a real patient scenario that shows how quickly a condition can change from stable t...

Choosing the right NCLEX® prep can feel overwhelming. There are countless programs, question banks, and study plans all claiming to be the best. In this episode, we break it all down so you can make a confident, informed decision that fits your learning style, schedule, and goals.  We walk you through what really matters when selecting NCLEX® prep, including how to evaluate question banks, the imp...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor breaks down a clinically important comparison in nurses need to know: delirium vs. dementia.  These can look similar at first glance, but they are fundamentally different in cause, timeline, and urgency. Understanding that difference is critical—not just for NCLEX success, but for real patient safety.  This episode reinforces a critical clinical mindset: a sudden...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor is joined by Director of Nursing Rachel Taylor to break down one of the most misunderstood parts of NCLEX prep: computer adaptive testing (CAT).  If CAT exams feel confusing, unpredictable, or downright intimidating—you’re not alone. This episode walks you through exactly how CAT works, how to approach it, and how to train for it so nothing about test day feels u...

What happens inside the body when a blood transfusion goes wrong — and what should a nurse do about it? In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor breaks down everything you need to know about transfusion reactions, from the microscopic science to real-world clinical decision-making.  We walk through a real clinical case with a 62-year-old patient receiving packed red blood cells after a GI bleed, and fol...

In this episode of  Pulse Check with Archer Nursing , Dr. Morgan Taylor tackles pheochromocytoma—a rare but high-yield endocrine disorder that shows up frequently on nursing exams and can cause life-threatening hypertensive crises if not managed correctly.  You’ll start with an NCLEX-style scenario involving a patient preparing for adrenalectomy, then walk through the adrenal gland anatomy and the...

This special episode steps away from pathophysiology and dives into something every nursing student feels: clinical anxiety.  If you’ve ever spiraled the night before clinical wondering what you’ll be asked, who your preceptor will be, or what you might mess up—this episode is for you. We're breaking preparation down into four practical, realistic buckets so you can walk into clinical feeling...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor breaks down meningitis—a high-risk, high-priority emergency you absolutely need to recognize quickly on exams and in clinical practice.  You’ll start with a classic NCLEX-style scenario: a college student with sudden severe headache, fever, stiff neck, and photophobia. From there, Dr. Taylor walks you through the anatomy of the meninges (dura, arachnoid, pia), wh...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor breaks down aortic dissection - one of the most time-sensitive, high-stakes emergencies you’ll see on exams  and  in real life.  You’ll start with an NCLEX-style practice question featuring the classic red flags, then walk through exactly what’s happening inside the aorta and why a single tear can turn into a life-threatening emergency in minutes.  If you’re stud...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor sits down with experienced family nurse practitioner, Hiva Kolodrubetz, to have an honest discussion about the nurse practitioner role—what it really looks like, who it’s right for, and how to know if (and when) you’re ready to take that step. Together, they unpack the growing pressure many nurses feel to “just go to NP school,” why that mindset can be risky, and...

In this episode of  Pulse Check with Archer Nursing , Dr. Morgan Taylor breaks down gestational diabetes in a super clear, test-ready way—starting with what the placenta does to metabolism and ending with the newborn complications nurses watch for after delivery.  Dr. Taylor is joined by Dr. Jennifer Bonner, CNM, who walks through a high-stakes real-world scenario and shares practical counseling p...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor breaks down pericarditis from the ground up—starting with the anatomy of the pericardium and walking through how inflammation can escalate into the life-threatening complication of cardiac tamponade.  You’ll follow a real bedside scenario, learn how to recognize classic pericarditis findings versus true red flags, and connect the pathophysiology directly to what ...

In this episode of  Pulse Check with Archer Nursing , Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN breaks down strokes in a clear, test-ready way—starting with the two major types (ischemic vs hemorrhagic) and why identifying which one is happening changes everything about treatment and nursing priorities.  You’ll walk through a realistic ED scenario, learn why “last known well” drives the entire plan of ca...

This episode shifts gears to focus on you: your routines, your energy, and how to start a new semester without repeating what didn’t work last time. Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN walks you through a simple, realistic reset to help you feel more grounded, organized, and supported as the semester begins.  Instead of chasing motivation or trying to become a “new you” overnight, this episode focu...