Straight A Nursing: Study for nursing school exams & NCLEX

The term oligohydramnios literally means “scant amniotic fluid” and is diagnosed when ultrasound reveals an amniotic fluid index (AFI) of less than 5 cm. In this episode you’ll learn: * The role of amniotic fluid * The causes and complications of oligohydramnios * Signs/symptoms of oligohydramnios * Key nursing assessments and interventions * Tests utilized to evaluate oligohydramnios * Patient ed...

Levothyroxine is synthetic thyroid hormone utilized mainly for the treatment of hypothyroidism. It’s one of the most common and straightforward drugs you’ll see, so this one should be pretty easy for you! Want to change the way you study? Then it’s time to check out Study Sesh, the podcast that gets you up from your desk while using dynamic audio formats to learn and review. For more articles on e...

Tuberculosis is an airborne bacterial infection caused by an organism called myobacterium tuberculosis. It’s spread through the air from person to person such as when someone with pulmonary tuberculosis coughs or sneezes. In this episode, we’re diving into the key things to know about tuberculosis for your nursing school exams: -Tuberculosis pathophysiology and risk factors -Signs/symptoms of tube...

This episode is generously sponsored by PicMonic and TrueLearn, two great tools to utilize as you prepare for the NCLEX! Picmonic is a dream come true for audio and visual learners while TrueLearn has over 900 practice questions to help you prepare. Use promo code STRAIGHTA for 20% off both products using the links below: Picmonic: https://www.picmonic.com/insiderhookup/straighta TrueLearn: https:...

A Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) is a mechanical pump that is surgically inserted to assist the left ventricle in pumping blood to the body. In this episode you’ll learn what an LVAD is, how it works and the basics for caring for patients with ventricular assist devices. A big thank-you to HCA Healthcare for sponsoring this episode. You can learn more about HCA’s robust Nurse Residency Prog...

In this episode, I’m breaking down bisphosphonates, a class of drugs often used in the treatment of osteoporosis. Want to get your hands on my Drug Names Tip Sheet? Download for free here. Learn more about osteoporosis here. Want to maximize your learning by reading this information, too? Check out the article and references here. A big thank-you to HCA Healthcare for sponsoring this episode. You...

Successful nursing students are consistent, have systems, and they collaborate! Find out exactly what all this means in this episode…and, if you’d like ALL of my best tips for new nursing students, you can download the free guide “20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students” here. Other links mentioned in this episode: * Test anxiety: Find out why it’s so common (and what to do about it) * Crucial C...

In this episode, I’m sharing five ways to stand out as the amazing new-grad nurse that you are! Plus, I am excited to have Andrea Gournier from The Resume Rx on this episode to share her best tips for making a standout resume and cover letter. You can learn more about Amanda’s services and resume templates here. Be sure to use promo code STRAIGHTA to get 20% off the template bundle we talk about i...

Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) occurs when the infant breathes in meconium either before, during or after labor. In this episode, we’ll be talking through the four pathophysiologies of MAS, who is at risk, and nursing implications using the Straight A Nursing LATTE method. Want to maximize your learning by reading this information, too? Check out the article and references here. If you’d like...

Your first five shifts are a pivotal time for new grad nurses. Not only for your career, but settling into your new job as well. In this episode, I’m sharing with you the key things to focus on as you begin your first job as a nurse. A big “thank you” to HCA Healthcare for sponsoring this episode. Click here to learn more about HCA Healthcare’s robust nurse residency program. Want a fun Bingo card...

In this episode, I’m getting super personal and telling you about my own experience with PV. Of course, we’ll also be going through this myeloproliferative disorder using the Straight A Nursing LATTE method. Loving the Latte Method? Download a free template here. For references and to read this information, check out the online article here. RATE, REVIEW AND FOLLOW! If this episode helped you, ple...

I get so many questions from students that are nearing graduation and wanted to share some of the most recent ones here with you in this Q&A. In this episode, we’ll talk about: * How to deal when everyone tells you that you have to start in Med/Surg but you really don’t want to * Maximizing learning with limited clinical hours * Demystifying what those first crucial few months will be like as a ne...

Mannitol is a common medication you are likely to see on nursing school exams, NCLEX, and in the clinical setting. Because it requires careful administration, assessment, and follow-up, you will most likely see it utilized in the critical care environment. In this episode, we’ll go through mannitol using the Straight A Nursing DRRUGS framework. Want to maximize your learning by reading this inform...

Many concepts you will learn in nursing school are related, but different enough that it can often be confusing to keep all the key elements distinct from one another. A great example of these are the two related-but-different conditions DI and SIADH. Diabetes insipidus (DI) and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) are essentially opposite of one another. It’s important you under...

Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) is a cyanotic congenital heart disease characterized by four key defects - pulmonary stenosis, right ventricular hypertrophy, ventricular septal defect and overriding aorta. In this episode we’ll talk through the physiological consequences of these defects, the complications of this condition, and then we’ll go through it from top to bottom using the Straight A Nursing LA...

If you are graduating from nursing school soon, you are undoubtedly starting to think about your first nursing job. For many of you, that will involve participating in a nurse residency program. In this episode, we’ll discuss what nurse residency programs are, why they are valuable, how they are structured, and what to look for when choosing one. A big thank-you to HCA Healthcare for sponsoring th...

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are two conditions along the same spectrum. In this episode we cover the basics of immunity, the progression of HIV to AIDS, signs and symptoms, assessments, tests, treatments and key patient education. Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror st...

Osteoporosis is a complex, multifactorial disease of compromised bone strength and integrity. This episode covers the key things you need to know about osteoporosis for NCLEX and nursing school. * Key hormones involved in osteoporosis * Types of osteoporosis * Risk factors for osteoporosis * Osteoporosis complications * Signs and symptoms * Tests and assessments * Treatments * Patient education fo...

Allopurinol is often considered to be one of the top 100 most-prescribed medications in the U.S., so it will definitely be on your exams or something you’ll see in the clinical setting. In this episode, we’re going through all the things you need to know about allopurinol using the Straight A Nursing DRRUGS framework. See references for this lesson and get it in written format here. For more pharm...

Meningitis is a disease condition that typically affects pediatrics and young adults, so it is usually taught as part of a pediatrics course. However, it is important to note that it can occur at any age. In this episode we’ll be talking about the key types of meningitis and how they differ, namely viral and bacterial meningitis. See references for this lesson and get it in written format here. A...

To commemorate the 200th episode of the Straight A Nursing podcast, I asked my listeners what they wanted to learn and SO MANY of you said “oncology!” In this episode, we are diving into an oncological emergency, tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). In addition to it being our 200th episode, we’re also celebrating 4 million downloads! A giant, enormous, huge, monumental, gargantuan THANK YOU to you! I coul...

Hyperglycemia is about so much more than simply diabetes (though, of course, there’s nothing simple about diabetes, either!). In this episode I’m talking you through the key things you need to know about hyperglycemia including the various causes. See references for this lesson and get it in written format here. A big THANK YOU to our sponsor, HCA Healthcare. Not only did they help make this episo...

UPDATE! I inadvertently stated dyskinesia to mean slow movements...I meant to say "involuntary movements." I will be updating the audio. In this episode covering Parkinson’s Disease, we’re diving deep to give you a really thorough understanding of what you need to know for your nursing school exams. This content is based off the Parkinson’s lesson I created for my course Med Surg Solution, so if y...

In this episode, we are reviewing the key things you need to know about anorexia nervosa. If you struggle with an eating disorder, and hearing about this topic triggers you, please proceed with caution, or avoid altogether. Your mental health is more important than any nursing school exam. If you or someone you care about suffers from an eating disorder, please reach out to the National Eating Dis...

Students ask all the time about tips for being successful in nursing school. And while you can view a wide variety of articles on the Straight A Nursing Student website or here on the podcast, I wanted to cover my top 10 tips for new students all in one spot. A big THANK YOU to our sponsor, HCA Healthcare. Not only did they help make this episode possible, but they provide great nurse residency pr...