Pulse Check with Archer Nursing

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN unpacks one of the most underdiagnosed and misunderstood conditions in reproductive health: endometriosis. You’ll learn how ectopic endometrial tissue wreaks havoc beyond the uterus—and why recognizing chronic, cyclical pain is a clinical red flag.  Through a powerful real-client story, you’ll see how symptoms like infertility, dysmenorrhea, dysp...

What starts as a simple infection—like strep throat or impetigo—can spiral into a serious kidney condition if left unchecked. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN breaks down acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) and how inflammation in the glomeruli can lead to widespread systemic issues.  Learn how a leaky glomerular filter causes protein and blood to spill into the urine, what lab value...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and what every nurse needs to know—whether you’re studying for the NCLEX or managing a post-op client!  We’ll cover:  What BPH is, what can go wrong, and the nursing interventions to know  Helpful symptom mnemonics: WISE and FUN  Common medications like tamsulosin and finasteride—and how they help ...

Thick, sticky blood might sound like a sci-fi problem—but in nursing, it's called polycythemia, and it’s very real. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down the key differences between polycythemia and polycythemia vera (PV), what causes each one, and how to spot the signs that require immediate intervention.  You’ll learn:  What an elevated hematocrit actually means  Why b...

Real talk on communication, collaboration, and trusting your gut.  Welcome to a special episode of Pulse Check with Archer Nursing! Today, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, sits down with Dr. Stephen DeMeo, neonatologist and Chief Medical Officer at Archer Review, for a candid conversation about one of the most overlooked—but critical—skills in healthcare: interdisciplinary collaboration.  From...

A tight cast, a traumatic hit, or even intense exercise can set off a silent emergency: compartment syndrome. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, walks you through this surgical emergency that every nurse must recognize—and act on—fast.  You’ll learn why increased pressure in a closed muscle compartment can cut off circulation, leading to ischemia and permanent tissue damage in ju...

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is one of the most chaotic, and critical, conditions nurses may encounter. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down this life-threatening complication in a way that finally makes it make sense.  DIC isn’t a disease...it’s the body’s response to something major going wrong. You’ll learn how this "consumptive coagulopathy&quot...

In this powerful and practical episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, walks you through everything you need to know about chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its progression to renal failure. Whether you're prepping for the NCLEX or rounding on the floor, this episode is a must-listen for understanding how kidney dysfunction affects every system in the body.  Learn how to prioritize lab val...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down one of the most critical respiratory conditions nurses need to understand: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). When inflammation takes over and alveoli fill with fluid, gas exchange fails—and rapid intervention can mean the difference between recovery and decline.  You’ll learn how to identify ARDS on the NCLEX and in real li...

Not all head injuries are created equal—and a basilar skull fracture is one you absolutely don’t want to miss. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down what makes this injury so dangerous, what signs to look for, and the key safety precautions every nurse must remember.  You’ll hear a real ED case involving a teenage hockey player, and how subtle signs like pupil changes an...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down the high-stakes world of obstructive shock, where life-threatening complications like tension pneumothorax and cardiac tamponade prevent the heart from doing its most basic job: pumping blood forward.  You’ll follow the story of a client whose belly pain turned out to be something far more serious—and learn how to recognize the early...

Heartburn might feel like just a minor annoyance—but chronic GERD can lead to serious complications if left unchecked. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, walks you through the real pathophysiology behind gastroesophageal reflux disease and explains why lifestyle education is just as crucial as medication.  Follow along as Dr. Taylor shares a real-world primary care visit and conn...

Type 2 diabetes doesn’t always come with warning signs—until it does. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and zooms in on a lesser-known but life-threatening complication: hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome (HHNS).  You’ll follow the real case of a grocery store cashier who showed up to work confused and wea...

DKA isn’t just high blood sugar—it’s an emergency rooted in one missing hormone: insulin. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, unpacks the pathophysiology of Type 1 diabetes and how the absence of insulin launches the body into metabolic crisis.  You’ll follow the journey of a client newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as Morgan connects the classic “three Ps” with ketone producti...

When the pancreas turns on itself, the result is acute pancreatitis, and it’s as painful as it is dangerous. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, walks you through the anatomy, symptoms, and essential nursing interventions for clients facing this inflammatory crisis.  You’ll learn what happens when digestive enzymes activate too early , why that causes severe epigastric pain radiat...

Autonomic dysreflexia is a true nursing emergency, and knowing how to respond can save your client from life-threatening complications. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down what happens when a noxious stimulus below a spinal cord injury sets off an unregulated sympathetic response.  You’ll learn how to recognize the key signs—sudden hypertension, bradycardia, facial flu...

Cardiogenic shock is a life-threatening condition where the heart fails to do the main job it was built for—pumping blood forward. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down what happens when the heart muscle is too damaged to maintain circulation, often after a major myocardial infarction. Learn how to recognize the telltale signs of cardiogenic shock, why fluid resuscitatio...

Placenta previa is a critical obstetric condition that every nurse needs to recognize. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, walks you through placenta previa, a condition where placental placement turns into a potential emergency—and how nurses can recognize it, manage it, and avoid critical missteps.  You’ll hear a real case of a pregnant client who presents with sudden, painless...

Right-sided heart failure might not get as much attention as the left—but when the right side fails, the entire body feels it! In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down the pathophysiology of right-sided heart failure, what sets it apart from the left, and how to recognize it in both textbook symptoms and real-life clients.  Morgan walks through a case of a client whose past...

Left-sided heart failure is a common cardiac condition nurses encounter—and understanding the patho is key to understanding the symptoms. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down exactly what happens when the left ventricle can’t keep up, leading to pulmonary congestion, fluid overload, and that classic pink, frothy sputum.  You’ll hear the real-life story of a client whose...

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is an oncologic emergency that can unfold fast—and nurses are on the front line of catching it early. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down the cellular chaos that occurs when high-dose chemotherapy causes rapid tumor cell destruction, leading to a flood of intracellular contents and dangerous metabolic complications.  From muscle cramps and ti...

Rhabdomyolysis may start in the muscles—but without fast nursing intervention, it can spiral into electrolyte imbalances, kidney failure, and life-threatening arrhythmias. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down the cascade of events that occurs when muscle cells break down and release their contents into the bloodstream.  From dark “cola-colored” urine to dangerously high...

Sickle cell disease is more than just a blood disorder—it’s a lifelong condition that demands fast, compassionate, and informed nursing care. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease, explains why vaso-occlusive crises are so painful and dangerous, and walks you through a real-life emergency case involving a teen with acute chest s...

Tetralogy of Fallot is one of the most well-known congenital heart defects—but what exactly happens during a “tet spell,” and why is calming the infant the most critical first step? In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down the four defects that make up Tetralogy of Fallot, explains why these babies can turn cyanotic so quickly, and shares a real-life case from the pediatric...

SIADH is one of those conditions where water retention can be deceptively subtle—but can quickly lead to life-threatening hyponatremia. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down what happens when the body produces too much antidiuretic hormone (ADH), leading to fluid overload, dangerously low sodium, and neurological decline.  Learn how to identify early signs of SIADH, inte...