Straight A Nursing: Study for nursing school exams & NCLEX

Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops below 35°C (95°F), causing the body to lose more heat than it generates. While it's commonly linked to exposure to cold environments, it can also result from medical conditions or medications. In this episode you’ll learn:  How the body regulates temperature - The hypothalamus controls body temperature, but what happens when things go wrong? Learn...

In this episode, we delve into catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), a common hospital-acquired infection with serious implications. We’ll explore how these infections occur, their prevalence, risk factors, complications, and most importantly, strategies for prevention. Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are one of the most commonly reported hospital-acquired cond...

In this episode, we dive into the critical topic of ectopic pregnancies, a condition where a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. With 2% of all pregnancies affected, this is a medical emergency that nurses and healthcare professionals must be prepared to assess and treat. Key Takeaways: What is an ectopic pregnancy? - Learn about the different types of ectopic pregnancies, including tubal,...

In this episode, we explore the essential aspects of pain management, focusing on eight commonly used pain medications nurses should know. We break down the updated analgesic ladder, which guides healthcare providers in selecting the right pain relief strategy based on the severity of the pain—from non-opioid options to strong opioids and even non-pharmacologic interventions. We also discuss the p...

In this episode, we dive into osteomyelitis, a serious bone infection that can b e difficult to identify. We’ll explore what makes it different from cellulitis, why it’s tricky to treat, and what healthcare professionals need to watch for. From common causes and risk factors to the crucial steps for assessment and treatment, this episode is packed with insights that will help you recognize and man...

Cellulitis is a dermal infection that occurs when bacteria enters the body through a break in the skin. It is a very common condition and one that will definitely show up in clinical and on exams! In this episode you’ll learn:  The causes of cellulitis as well as risk factors Cellulitis complications Clinical presentation of cellulitis What to focus on with your assessment Tests used to evaluate a...

Something many new nursing students struggle with is understanding how to write SMART objectives for their care plans or clinical homework assignments. With this overview, you’ll soon be writing SMART objectives like a pro! ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me...

Pediatric clinicals are so different from adult Med-Surg clinicals that it’s helpful to know a few things in advance so you can get the most out of this valuable experience. In this episode you’ll learn: How to customize your plan of care based on the child’s developmental stage A quick way to estimate hypotension in children The importance of weight-based calculations Key differences between an a...

I’m wrapping up my summer “Ask Me Anything” series with an episode bursting with great tips and advice! In this episode you’ll learn:  The epic battle between physical books and e-books continues…what are the pros and cons of each?  Where to rent e-books for much less than the cost of purchasing them Key things that will help you stay focused with online classes How to prepare for pharmacology cla...

Over the years I have seen nursing students struggle, and I have seen nursing students thrive. And what has become clear is that students who struggle tend to make the same five mistakes over and over again. So, if you want to avoid struggling unnecessarily in nursing school, I’m sharing five common mistakes of new nursing students…and what to do instead! ___________________ Full Transcript - Read...

In this “Ask Me Anything” episode, I’m answering some common questions about nursing school: What’s the difference between working in the ER, Tele and ICU? What are the “must-have” supplies for clinical? What’s the difference between A&P 1 and A&P 2? What’s the difference between subjective and objective? ___________________ FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then...

Ascites is the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity that causes abdominal distention. It is a common complication of cirrhosis but can also occur in other conditions such as cancer, heart failure, tuberculosis, and dialysis. Ascites can lead to significant problems for your patient, including respiratory compromise, hypotension, and even peritonitis. Hit play on this episode to learn:  T...

In this special AMA series, I’m answering your questions about nursing school! Here’s what I’m answering this week:  How do you make a successful transition from an unlicensed to a licensed role? How do I get past my shyness and nervousness in clinical? How do you make a realistic study plan for exams? Why would a patient be on both heparin and warfarin in the hospital? ___________________ FREE CL...

Many patients with type 2 diabetes take oral antidiabetic medications, either as monotherapy or in conjunction with other oral antidiabetic medications or insulin. It’s important you are able to recognize these medications as their use increases the risk of hypoglycemia, especially when taken with insulin.  This episode provides a brief overview of each of the oral antidiabetic medications with a...

In this special AMA series, I’m answering your questions about nursing school! Here’s what I’m answering this week:  How do I prepare for critical care and mental health nursing? What supplies are must-haves for my school bag?  What is nursing school math like? Is it possible to work while in nursing school? ___________________ FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, th...

Hepatitis is a condition in which the liver is inflamed (remember “itis” means inflammation). This inflammation can occur for a variety of reasons. In some cases, the inflammation is acute and the patient has a full recovery. In other cases, the condition is chronic and can even advance to serious liver disease.  When we think of hepatitis, we generally think of hepatitis caused by a virus, which...

In this special AMA series, I’m answering your questions about nursing school! Here’s what I’m answering this week:  Do you have study tips for Maternal/Newborn and Peds? What’s it like to go from LPN to RN?  How do you cope with feelings of loneliness/isolation from studying a lot? How long are clinical days? Any advice for taking the NCLEX? My classmate said it was very hard. ___________________...

Did you know there are two types of calcium channel blockers? One type mostly affects heart rate, while the other type mostly lowers blood pressure. To learn the difference between these two types so you’ll understand why certain CCBs are prescribed, hit play on this case study episode! You’ll learn: How CCBs exert their mechanism of action How CCBs treat hypertension, angina, and tachyarrhythmias...

In this show, Nurse Mo breaks down a wide range of nursing school concepts so they’re easy to understand. Each episode aims to help nursing students improve their study techniques, pass nursing school exams, and feel more confident in clinical. If you’re nervous about nursing school, not “getting it” in lecture, or feeling overwhelmed with all the information you have to learn, this podcast will h...

Noticing changes in condition often means noticing changes in the patient’s skin signs. Unfortunately, nurses are not always taught how to assess skin signs in patients with darker or yellow-toned skin. In this case study, you’ll follow along as a patient presents to the ED and shows various skin sign changes due to his clinical condition.  Hit play on this episode, and get ready to take report on...

Molar pregnancy, which also goes by the name “hydatidiform mole” is a gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) that involves abnormal egg fertilization and subsequent growth of nonviable tissue. In this episode, you’ll learn: The key differences between complete and partial molar pregnancy Risk factors for molar pregnancy Complications of molar pregnancy Common signs and symptoms of an individual w...

Hyperkalemia is an elevated potassium level that can have serious consequences if left untreated. In this episode, you’ll learn: The role of potassium in the body Dangers of hyperkalemia Causes of hyperkalemia What is a hyperkalemic emergency? Treatments for hyperkalemia Hyperkalemia prevention for patients with ESRD ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references. FREE...

This special episode is part of a nursing podcast PodCrawl to celebrate Nurses Week and increase awareness about the different types of shock. This episode covers distributive shock, and you can find episodes about hypovolemic shock, obstructive and cardiogenic shock in the links down below. And, you might even discover a new nursing podcast to binge! In this episode you’ll learn:  The basics abou...

Children can have a wide range of gastrointestinal disorders, and exams will require you to be able to differentiate between each one. In this episode, I’m providing a high level overview of common pediatric GI disorders: Gastroesophageal reflux disease Hirschsprung disease Intussusception Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis Biliary atresia Meckel’s diverticulum Short bowel syndrome Plus, there’s a PodQ...

Clostridioides difficile, formerly known as Clostridium difficile, is an anaerobic, spore-forming bacillus that causes a serious bacterial infection in the colon. While healthcare-associated infections have declined in recent years, C. diff remains one of the most common healthcare associated infections in the United States. Learn more about C. diff infection (CDI) in this episode, including: Path...