Straight A Nursing: Study for nursing school exams & NCLEX

Epidermal necrolysis refers to severe cutaneous reactions that cause extensive necrosis of tissue and detachment of the epidermis. It encompasses three conditions which are on a continuum of severity and how much of the body’s surface area is affected: Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS): Less than 10% of BSA is detached Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) - More than 30% of BSA is detached SJS/TEN overla...

Two terms you’ve probably heard mentioned are STEMI and NSTEMI, and you may be wondering what the difference between these two cardiac events is. In this episode you’ll learn:  The key differences between STEMI and NSTEMI How to recognize a STEMI on the ECG What “contiguous leads” actually means Signs and symptoms of myocardial infarction Tests utilize to diagnose and evaluate an MI How STEMI and...

Gestational diabetes is a complication of pregnancy in which individuals with no history of diabetes have persistently elevated glucose levels.  In this episode you’ll learn:  Normal physiology of glucose maintenance during pregnancy Who is most at risk for gestational diabetes Complications of gestational diabetes (both maternal and newborn) Signs and symptoms of gestational diabetes Key assessme...

In this episode of the Straight A Nursing podcast, we’re breaking down the key things a nurse needs to know about peripheral neuropathy. This is a condition in which the distal nerves of the hands and feet are damaged and unable to transmit messages correctly. The result is numbness, tingling, weakness and pain (often quite severe pain!). In this episode you’ll learn:  The many different causes of...

In this episode, Nurse Mo delves into neural tube defects, with a focus on spina bifida and anencephaly. In addition to learning about the key characteristics of these conditions, you’ll also learn:  How neural tubes are formed early in embryonic development Who is most at risk for having a child with a neural tube defect How neural tube defects can be prevented Key assessments for an infant and c...

In this episode, we’re exploring the key things a nurse needs to know about pulmonary hypertension (PH). This condition affects the blood vessels in the lungs and can have serious implications on cardiac function. In this episode, we'll explore: Different subgroups of pulmonary hypertension Underlying causes of PH Signs and symptoms associated with PH Key diagnostic tests utilized to diagnose and...

Welcome to another exciting episode of Straight A Nursing! I'm your host, Nurse Mo, and today we'll be diving into a fascinating topic: the relationship between congestive heart failure (CHF) and anemia. Have you ever wondered why so many patients with CHF also have anemia? Well, I certainly have, and today we're going to explore the pathophysiology behind this intriguing connection. So, let's get...

Postpartum depression (PPD) has been called “the thief that steals motherhood” and is defined as a temporary episode of major depression associated with childbirth. It is one of the most common childbirth-related conditions, affecting 13 to 19% of childbearing women.  In this episode you’ll learn: The complications of postpartum depression for both the mother and the infant Factors that contribute...

Welcome back to the Straight A Nursing podcast with Nurse Mo, where we dive into all things nursing school and the bedside. In today's episode, we're tackling ICU clinicals, a topic that can be both exciting and intimidating for nursing students. Nurse Mo shares her experiences and tips to help you approach your ICU rotation with confidence and joy. We'll explore the differences between ICU and Me...

Welcome back to the Straight A Nursing podcast! I'm Nurse Mo, and today we have an intriguing topic to discuss. Have you ever wondered about that mysterious blue substance you sometimes see in a patient's urine collection bag after surgery? Well, wonder no more, because today we're diving into the world of methylene blue. This medication, originally developed in the late 1800s, is not only a dye b...

Welcome back to Straight A Nursing, the podcast that provides practical tips and knowledge to excel in your nursing practice. In this episode, we'll be exploring pain fundamentals. In addition to learning about opioids commonly used to treat pain, you’ll learn the significant impact acetaminophen and NSAIDs can have on a patient's pain level, and how these medications can significantly reduce the...

If you’ve ever dreamed about travel nursing, then you’ll love this episode where I’m talking with Kylee from Passports and Preemies. Kylee is a NICU travel nurse who combines the two things she loves most…caring for teeny tiny babies and traveling the world! In this episode, Kylee shares some of her best tips and advice for nurses and nursing students who are interested in exploring the exciting o...

Hormones are chemical messengers in the body that travel through the bloodstream to specific receptors on cells throughout the body where they elicit a response. Hormones play a key role in many physiologic processes, including metabolism, blood pressure regulation, blood glucose regulation, growth and development, reproduction, the sleep-wake cycle, and mood. This lesson provides a brief overview...

Cardiomyopathy is a term that describes a disease affecting the heart muscle, and is most commonly related to damage of the myocardium. There are four categories of cardiomyopathy – dilated, restrictive, hypertrophic and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathies. In this episode, you’ll learn the basics about each type, key nursing assessments, how cardiomyopathy is treated and the main te...

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the body’s ability to respond to insulin or produce insulin is impaired. This results in abnormal carbohydrate metabolism and elevated blood glucose levels. In this episode you’ll learn the basic things to know about diabetes so you can feel confident at the bedside or on nursing school exams (including NCLEX!). Hit the play button to learn: Differences be...

Applying to nursing school can be a complex process, which requires organization and attention to detail. In this episode, we’ll explore what the application process entails and tips for managing it all like a pro. Overview of the application process The difference between merit based, lottery system, and first-come-first-served Overview of the ATI TEAS exam Tips for preparing for the ATI TEAS exa...

One of the most common lab tests ordered for your patients is the BMP, otherwise known as the basic metabolic panel. This lab test looks at eight different components which provide a wealth of information about your patient’s condition. The components of the BMP are sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, carbon dioxide, glucose, BUN and creatinine. ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the art...

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a hypermetabolic crisis that is fatal if left untreated. It occurs in individuals with a specific genetic condition when they are exposed to certain anesthetic gasses or the medication succinylcholine. In this episode, you’ll learn: Malignant hyperthermia pathophysiology Complications of MH Who is most at risk for experiencing malignant hyperthermia Signs and symptom...

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a chronic mental health condition in which the individual has recurring, unwanted thoughts or fears that cause a significant amount of stress that can only be relieved by performing ritualistic behavior. The recurring thoughts or fears are the individual’s obsessions. The ritualistic activity that alleviates the obsessive thoughts and the associated stress is the c...

When students struggle with pharmacology it’s typically because they’re trying to memorize drugs, their indications, important nursing implications, and the many side effects. And while these things are important, they’re only part of the picture. To understand pharmacology, you must do more than memorize and, instead, invest some energy in learning foundation concepts. In this episode, you’ll get...

Pleural effusions are defined as a buildup of excess fluid between the pleura and it can occur as a consequence of a wide variety of conditions. In this episode, you’ll learn: The two types of pleural fluid Risk factors for pleural effusion Complications of pleural effusion Signs and symptoms of pleural effusion Priority assessments How pleural effusions are identified and what lab tests are condu...

Being able to decipher medical language means understanding the common roots, suffixes and prefixes. For example, if you know “ectomy” means the removal of something…even without recognizing the rest of the word, you at least know the patient had some kind of surgical procedure and something was removed. A great example of this is appendectomy or lobectomy. In this PodQuiz, you’ll test your knowle...

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) occurs when the body has an inadequate response to postural changes and, as a result, is unable to maintain a steady blood pressure when moving from a lying to standing position. It is defined as a decrease in systolic or diastolic blood pressure that occurs within three minutes of moving from a sitting or supine position to a standing position. The parameter for OH is...

Because of the propensity for gout to occur in the wealthy who lived a lavish lifestyle, gout was once called the “disease of kings.” Today gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis that can lead to significant pain and lack of mobility. In this episode, you’ll learn the following about caring for patients with gout: * The pathophysiology of gout * The four phases of gout * Risk factors that...

Pertussis (also known as “whooping cough”) is a respiratory tract infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. It is a highly contagious disease that predominantly impacts children. In this episode you’ll learn the key things you know about pertussis: * Pertussis pathophysiology and stages of disease * The pertussis vaccine * Complications of pertussis * Signs and symptoms of pertussis *...