This Is Why with Dr. Busti

In this lecture from This is Why, Dr. Busti will answer the question, "Are patients with a penicillin allergy really at high risk when we use cephalosporins?" Dr. Busti will also discuss some of the evidence on penicillin allergy & cephalosporin cross-reactivity and shows you how to safely use β-lactam antibiotics in clinical practice. In this episode, we’ll cover: - Why most penicil...

What does “micturate” actually mean, and why do textbooks, exam questions, and older charts still use it instead of just saying “urinate”? In this lecture on Medical Terminology from This is Why, Dr. Busti breaks down the meaning and definition of micturate, how it relates to micturition and urination, and shows you exactly how this term is used in real clinical practice so it finally sticks. In t...

Master penicillin allergy questions exactly the way they show up on your exams and in clinical practice. In this episode of This is Why, Dr. Busti will walk through a high-yield practice question on penicillin allergy and beta-lactam cross-reactivity, so you know which antibiotics are safe, which to avoid, and how to reason through the stem under exam pressure. You’ll learn how to: - Analyze a pen...

Mastering chest X-ray positioning is the first step to safe and accurate chest X-ray interpretation. In this video, “How to Check Patient Positioning on a Chest X-Ray,” Dr. Busti walk through a simple, practical checklist so you can quickly decide if a CXR is good enough to interpret—or if positioning errors (rotation, poor inspiration, clipping) are misleading you. You’ll learn how to: Tell PA vs...

In this lecture from This is Why, Dr. Busti will teach you how to quickly and confidently tell AP vs PA chest X-ray (CXR) views apart so you don’t get misled by magnified hearts or a widened mediastinum. In this video, we break down chest X-ray projection step by step and show you how to spot whether a film is AP or PA view just by looking at the image itself—skills you can use on your next shift...

In this lecture from This is Why, Dr. Busti will walk step-by-step through the proper steps to determine if the inspiration is good enough to allow the chest x-ray (CXR) to be appropriate to interpret and avoid missing an abnormality.  This lecture will improve your overall chest x-ray interpretation skills. You’ll learn how to: Identify the posterior ribs and anterior ribs on a standard AP chest...

In this This Is Why pharmacology review, Dr. Busti walks through the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)—how they became first-line for major depressive disorder and a wide range of anxiety-related disorders, and where their real-world pitfalls live. We compare the core agents—citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, and sertraline—covering indications, mechanism,...

This session teaches a reproducible, step-by-step approach to chest X-ray (CXR) interpretation using two complementary mnemonics: RIPE (Rotation, Inspiration, Penetration/Projection, Exposure/Artifacts) to verify image quality, and A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I to read findings in a consistent order. Viewers learn to spot essential landmarks (trachea, aortic knob, hila, lobes/fissures, diaphragms, costophreni...

In this episode of This Is Why , Dr. Busti breaks down the evidence-based predictors of NCLEX-RN success for first-time test takers. See what the 10-year pass-rate trend really shows, which factors (GPA, standardized exit exams, program environment, life experience) matter most, and—most importantly—what you can do now to raise your odds on test day. Build confidence in your exam readiness and cli...

Passing a BPS specialty exam takes more than hard work — it takes strategy and understanding. In this episode of This Is Why , Dr. Busti breaks down how BPS exams are built, what “testable” really means, and why focusing on validated, evidence-based concepts gives you a major advantage. Drawing on decades of experience as a pharmacist, educator, and exam review developer, he explains the multi-ste...

BPS specialty board exams are challenging — and the data proves it. But knowing what drives success can make all the difference. In this episode of This Is Why , Dr. Busti reviews national BPS pass rate trends and explores what separates first-time test takers who succeed from those who don’t. Using data from multiple specialties, he highlights how residency training, study strategy, and preparati...

The NAPLEX isn’t testing everything you’ve ever learned — it’s measuring what matters most for entry-level pharmacist competence. In this episode of This Is Why , Dr. Busti explains how the NAPLEX is built by the NABP, why understanding its blueprint helps you focus your studying, and how to avoid wasting time on untested or emerging content. Drawing on his own experience as a pharmacist, physicia...

Over the past decade, NAPLEX pass rates have dropped — sparking concern across pharmacy education. But what’s really driving this decline? In this episode of This Is Why , Dr. Busti breaks down the data behind NAPLEX performance trends, exploring factors such as the rapid growth of pharmacy schools, shifts in applicant pools, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on learning and assessment. Draw...

What predicts success on the NAPLEX? It’s not chance — it’s about understanding the factors that matter most. In this episode of This Is Why , Dr. Busti unpacks the key predictors of NAPLEX performance based on data and published literature. You’ll learn how GPA, pre-admission metrics, clinical performance, study effort, and test timing correlate with first-time pass rates — and how to interpret t...

Passing the NCLEX-RN isn’t about memorizing more — it’s about understanding what truly matters and how the exam is built to measure it. In this episode of This Is Why, Dr. Busti, a physician and pharmacist who began his healthcare career as a registered nurse, breaks down how the NCLEX-RN is developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) — and what that means for your study p...

Dr. Busti reviews pharmacologic options for smoking cessation—bupropion, nicotine replacement therapy, and varenicline—highlighting mechanisms, dosing strategies, and safety considerations. Learn how to integrate these therapies with behavioral approaches, tailor choices to patient comorbidities, and monitor for clinically relevant risks. Access bonus materials and downloads at https://thisiswhy.h...

In this episode of This Is Why , Dr. Busti walks through a real-world board-style question on community-acquired pneumonia — connecting core pathophysiology to exam reasoning and clinical judgment. Using a 54-year-old patient case, you’ll learn how to differentiate inpatient versus outpatient management, apply CURB-65 and PSI scoring tools, and identify sepsis criteria that drive treatment decisio...

Dr. Busti reviews selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)—their mechanism, first-line indications, key side effects, and clinical pearls. Learn why SSRIs are widely used for depression and anxiety, how to avoid pitfalls like QT prolongation and drug interactions, and what to monitor to optimize patient care. Access bonus materials and downloads at https://thisiswhy.health Find resources fo...

Dr. Busti explores the atypical antidepressants—bupropion, mirtazapine, trazodone, vilazodone, and vortioxetine. Learn how these agents differ from SSRIs/SNRIs, when to use them, and how their unique side effect profiles can actually guide therapy. Access tables, visuals, and playlists for this episode at https://www.thisiswhy.health/topics/pharmacology-review-atypical-antidepressants Disclaimer:...

Dr. Busti breaks down monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)—where they still fit in modern care, how they work, and how to use them safely. In this episode you’ll learn: Why MAOIs remain relevant for treatment-resistant depression How irreversible MAO-A/B inhibition elevates serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine Practical washout rules (why 14 days after MAOI, generally 7 days before starting an...

Discover serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)—safe, effective antidepressants for depression, anxiety, and pain syndromes.  In this episode, you’ll learn: - How SNRIs work in the brain and differ from SSRIs, TCAs, and MAOIs - Key medications: venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, milnacipran, levomilnacipran - Important side effects, including blood pressure changes and SIADH in...

A practical pharmacology review of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in asthma and COPD. Dr. Busti explains why ICS are first-line therapy in asthma, their selective role in COPD, key mechanisms, dosing strategies, side effects, and patient counseling points to improve adherence and outcomes. Access downloads for this episode at https://www.thisiswhy.health/topics/pharmacology-review-inhaled-corticost...

In this episode of This Is Why , Dr. Busti unpacks the pharmacology and clinical relevance of the potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB) class—featuring vonoprazan , the newest option in acid suppression therapy. You’ll learn how P-CABs compare to H₂ receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in terms of mechanism, onset, and duration of acid control. Dr. Busti explains the unique...

Dr. Busti reviews Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)—how they work, why they outperformed H2 blockers, key clinical uses, and important risks. From GERD to GI bleeds, learn the why behind PPIs so you can apply them safely in practice. Access tables, visuals, and playlists for this video at https://www.thisiswhy.health/topics/pharmacology-review-proton-pump-inhibitors-ppi Disclaimer: This content is for...

The final two steps of Evidence-Based Medicine— Apply and Assess —focus on turning knowledge into better patient outcomes. Dr. Busti explains how to apply evidence to real-world practice, integrate patient preferences, and assess the impact of your decisions to continually improve care. Discover how adapting your approach over time creates a more patient-centered, evidence-driven practice. Access...