Pulse Check with Archer Nursing

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor unpacks croup—what causes that unforgettable barking cough, why symptoms flare at night, and how nurses can recognize when supportive care is enough and when it’s time for emergent treatment.  What You’ll Learn  Croup = viral upper airway swelling (larynx, trachea, bronchi) → narrowed airway & noisy breathing  Classic signs: barking seal-like cough, inspirato...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor breaks down bronchiolitis—what RSV does to tiny airways and how we support infants through the worst days safely.  What You’ll Learn  Bronchiolitis = inflammation + mucus plugging of the bronchioles → airflow obstruction & air-trapping  RSV is the most common cause (think late fall → early spring)  Classic signs: wheezing, retractions, nasal flaring, belly br...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor demystifies asthma—what’s happening in the airways, how to treat an acute attack, and how to prevent the next one.  What You’ll Learn  Airway triad: bronchoconstriction + mucosal edema + mucus → wheeze & air trapping  Common triggers (exercise, allergens, cold air, illness) & why asthma is reversible  High-risk signs in kids: retractions, tripod positioni...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor breaks down the two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease—Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis—and shows you how to quickly tell them apart.  What You’ll Learn  Crohn’s disease: mouth → anus, skip lesions, transmural inflammation  Key complications: strictures, fistulas, abscesses, bowel obstruction  Ulcerative colitis: colon only, continuous inflammation, mucosal/...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor reviews urinary tract infections (UTIs)—one of the most common but high-stakes topics for nurses. What You’ll Learn: UTI basics: lower (cystitis) vs. upper (pyelonephritis) Most common cause: E. coli Key symptoms: dysuria, frequency, urgency, suprapubic pain Pyelonephritis signs: fever, chills, CVA tenderness, N/V Risk factors: sexual activity, douching, catheter...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor breaks down cerebral palsy (CP)—a high-yield condition you’ll see on exams and in practice—and makes it simple in under 15 minutes.  What You’ll Learn: How CP can cause permanent, non-progressive brain injury  Causes: prenatal (infection, stroke), perinatal (asphyxia, trauma), postnatal (kernicterus, meningitis)  Key signs: abnormal reflexes, hypertonia/hypotonia...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor takes a deep dive into Wilms tumor (nephroblastoma)—a childhood kidney cancer with a distinctive clinical profile. In under 15 minutes, you’ll connect anatomy, pathophysiology, and bedside nursing care so this high-yield topic finally sticks. What you'll learn: What a Wilms tumor is and the age group it most often affects How tumor growth in the kidney triggers e...

In part two of our congenital heart defects mini-series, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down ventricular septal defects (VSDs)—what they are, why they cause increased pulmonary blood flow, and how they show up at the bedside. We compare VSDs to ASDs, walk through a classic 2-week-old case that progresses to heart failure, and map the nurse’s priorities from stabilization to post-closur...

Feeling the nursing school semester ramp up? In this practical, positive episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor sits down with Dr. Jennifer Bonner to turn “I’m overwhelmed” into “I’ve got a plan.” You’ll get systems you can use today!  We cover:  The first steps to getting organized  Managing the chaos: clinicals, exams, assignments—what to prioritize and when  Small habits that lower stress fast  Building yo...

An atrial septal defect may look subtle on the surface—but the physiology is busy in the heart. In this high-yield episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, makes a complex congenital heart disorder easy to understand.  We’ll cover:  A practice “Select All That Apply”question on expected ASD findings  The two-story house analogy (atria upstairs, ventricles downstairs) and why blood shunts left...

Pyloric stenosis is a classic pediatric condition nurses need to recognize quickly. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down how this “jammed door” between the stomach and small intestine leads to projectile vomiting, dehydration, and weight loss in infants.  We’ll cover:  A practice question on hallmark signs of pyloric stenosis  The “doorway” analogy to understand what’s...

Pneumonia can look different depending on its cause, but the end result is the same—fluid-filled alveoli that can’t exchange oxygen effectively. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, simplifies pneumonia into its three main types—bacterial, viral, and fungal—and explains what nurses need to watch for at the bedside.  We’ll cover:  A practice question on Pseudomonas pneumonia and car...

Cardiomyopathy may sound like a big, intimidating word, but understanding it can make all the difference in caring for clients with heart failure. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down the three main types of cardiomyopathy—dilated, hypertrophic, and restrictive - so you’ll never confuse them again.  We’ll cover:  A high-yield NCLEX-style practice question  The “balloon”...

Peptic ulcers can cause big complications—and the key to mastering them is knowing the differences. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, walks you through the causes, symptoms, and treatments of gastric and duodenal ulcers.  We’ll cover:  The role of H. pylori and NSAIDs in ulcer formation  Symptom differences: why gastric ulcers hurt after meals and duodenal ulcers hurt when the s...

Hyperthyroidism is like having your body’s gas pedal jammed to the floor—and when it escalates into a thyroid storm, it can become a life-threatening emergency in minutes. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down the pathophysiology of hyperthyroidism, how it differs from hypothyroidism, and the critical steps nurses must take when a client tips into thyroid storm.  Through...

Starting nursing school is exciting...but can also be intimidating at the same time! In this special bonus episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN is joined by Rachel Taylor, MSN-Ed, BSN, RN, and Director of Nursing at Archer Review, to share the mindset shifts, organization strategies, and community-building tips that will set you up for success from day one.  From managing imposter syndrome...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN explains hypothyroidism using a metaphor you’ll never forget—your body as a car running out of gas. She breaks down how low thyroid hormones slow everything from metabolism to heart rate, and why untreated hypothyroidism can progress into the life-threatening myxedema coma.  Through a real-world case study from her time on a step-down unit, Dr. T...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN dives into the unpredictable world of epilepsy—why seizures happen, what they look like, and how nurses play a critical role in both long-term management and emergency care.  From tonic-clonic convulsions to subtle absence seizures, you'll learn how to recognize the different types of seizure activity and what to do when one strikes. Through...

The liver is one of the hardest-working organs in the body—but when it starts to fail, the consequences are far-reaching and potentially fatal. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN breaks down liver anatomy and function to help you understand the production, metabolism, and conversion pathways that keep the body running smoothly—and what happens when hepatitis or cirrhosis brings th...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down Addison’s Disease and adrenal crisis in a way that actually makes sense. You’ll learn why low cortisol and aldosterone levels can send the body into chaos, how to recognize an Addisonian crisis, and the immediate interventions every nurse needs to know.  This episode features a real-life pediatric case study that brings the condition...

In this inspiring episode of Pulse Check , Dr. Morgan Taylor sits down with former Archer student, Tez, to talk about the highs, lows, and unexpected pivots in her nursing journey. From getting rejected from PA school to thriving in a fast-paced ABSN program, Tez shares how she found her path in nursing, why she chose Archer Review for NCLEX prep, and how she stayed grounded during one of the most...

Too much of a good thing? That’s exactly what happens in Cushing’s disease—when cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone, goes off the rails. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN walks you through what happens when the body produces too much cortisol, how to recognize the classic symptoms, and what nurses need to know about treatment and client teaching.  We’ll break down the differ...

Ectopic pregnancies are rare but serious, and every nurse should know how to spot the warning signs before it’s too late. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down the anatomy, pathophysiology, and red flags of ectopic pregnancy.  Then, we hear from a real nurse, Lauren, who shares her powerful firsthand story—from confusing symptoms to a delayed diagnosis and surgery that s...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN dives into the pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and breaks down how acute exacerbations can lead to life-threatening hypoxia, hypercapnia, and respiratory acidosis.  From real ED cases to oxygen delivery pitfalls, this episode gives you everything you need to recognize a COPD crisis, prioritize your interventions, and avoi...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN breaks down a high-stakes concept that trips up even experienced nurses: distributive shock. From septic to anaphylactic, neurogenic to adrenal crisis, you'll learn how different causes can all lead to the same dangerous outcome—massive vasodilation and inadequate tissue perfusion.  Dr. Taylor walks you through a real ED case of septic shock...