Up My Nursing Game

In this episode critical care nurse educator, Sarah Vance, discusses intra-cardiac pressures including central venous pressures (CVP), pulmonary artery pressures (PAP and PAOP), fluid responsiveness, and venous oxygen saturation (SvO2). Check out Nicole Kupchik's exam reviews and practice questions at nicolekupchikconsulting.com. Use the promo code UPMYGAME20 to get 20% off all products. Do you ne...

Altered mental status (AMS) can be an early warning sign of serious conditions, yet it's often overlooked or dismissed as simple confusion. In this episode, critical care nurse practitioner Christian Guzman breaks down the complexities of AMS and its many causes. Christian walks us through a systematic approach to assessing and managing patients with AMS, from performing key neurological exams to...

While the concept of hypovolemic shock may seem straightforward compared to the other types of shock, it's various causes and vastly different treatment approaches may catch you off guard. In this episode, flight nurse Nyssa from The Q Word Podcast vividly illustrates the key differences between fluid volume depletion and blood volume loss. You'll learn to spot the ominous clinical presentations o...

In this in-depth episode, cardiac nursing expert Sean from the Nurse Dose Podcast vividly illustrates how acute coronary syndromes, valve dysfunction, arrhythmias, and mechanical complications can all culminate in cardiogenic shock. You'll learn to spot the ominous signs like falling cardiac output, rising filling pressures, and poor end-organ perfusion. But most importantly, Sean equips you with...

Imagine being a nurse faced with a patient who has taken a fistful of someone else's medications, leading to a life-threatening allergic reaction. This was the reality Dave Dovell, a registered nurse and author, confronted in a fascinating case study he shares during this podcast episode. He takes listeners on a deep dive into the clinical presentation and management of anaphylaxis and offers insi...

The emergency severity index, or ESI, is meant to swiftly triage patients based on urgency and resource needs. In this episode emergency nurse, Kevin MacFarlane, shares his techniques for determining ESI scores, from identifying true level one resuscitation cases to non-urgent level five medication refills. You'll gain a comprehensive understanding of how ESI goes beyond just categorizing medical...

Sedation and delirium can derail even the strongest patient's recovery in the ICU - but spontaneous awakening trials (SATs) can empower nurses to get ahead of this vicious cycle. In this candid episode, I pick the brain of Kali Dayton, an ICU nurse practitioner fervent about early mobility, pulls back the curtain on SATs, a tragically misunderstood intervention that involves stopping sedatives eac...

Proper sedation management is critical for improving outcomes, yet studies show a widespread problem of inaccurate Richmond Agitation-Sedation Score (RASS) assessments by nurses. In this revealing episode, Kali Dayton DNP, shares her technique to accurately and objectively measure the RASS and why this matter for our patient's outcomes. Check out Nicole Kupchik's exam reviews and practice question...

Ever wonder what goes on behind the operating room doors? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the fascinating world of anesthesia and surgery. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Tanner and Cole from the Core Anesthesia podcast provide an insider's look at the perioperative process, from pre-op preparation to the orchestrated induction of anesthesia to navigating complications post-op...

We all know that staying in bed increases the risk of pressure injuries and DVTs. But the adverse effects of immobilization go far beyond those basics. In this eye-opening episode, Margaret Arnold, PT pulls back the curtain on the rapid and surprising physiological changes that occur when your patients are inactive. You’ll learn about the hidden dangers of immobility most nurses overlook, spanning...

In this episode, Tim Madeira, cardiothoracic DNP,  provides an overview of the primary heart valve diseases. He expertly guides us through the complex physiological processes underlying conditions like stenosis and valve regurgitation arising from congenital abnormalities, calcifications, infective endocarditis, and trauma. In addition, Tim outlines the latest evidence-based standards in surgical,...

Listen in as I chat with Philip Gonzalez, a critical care occupational therapist. He will help us de-mystify the philosophy of occupational therapy, discuss how nurses cane help their patients make the most of their therapy sessions, and introduce us to verticalization therapy. Discussed in episodeVerticalization therapy is a therapeutic approach using equipment, manual assistance, or other variou...

Understanding Diltiazem is an important part of your cardiac skillset. It's indications range from blood pressure management, long term stable angina, to it's mainstay in the hospital setting: acute rate control of arrhythmias with rapid ventricular rates. This episode will cover Diltiazem's mechanism of action, its multiple indications for both acute and routine use, as well as important nursing...

In this episode, I'll give you the inside scoop on amiodarone so you can truly grasp why it is *the* most prescribed antiarrhythmic medication. We'll unpack its unique mechanism of action that makes it so effective, share a real-world case that shows amiodarone in action, as well as have a candid talk about its adverse effects. Join me to find out why after 40 years, this versatile antiarrhythmic...

Do you want to enhance your understanding and effectively use atropine in the treatment of bradycardia? Starting with atropine's mechanism of action, we will explore its proper use for symptomatic bradycardia, including it's important contraindications.  We'll also cover some of atropine's other fascinating roles beyond the heart. You'll walk away with greater confidence in both the appropriate ap...

Part one of our cardiac medication mini-series spotlights Milrinone. We'll unpack milrinone's mechanism of action, indications, and potential pitfalls. This high-value overview distills need-to-know details about milrinone for seasoned critical care nurses and students alike. Check out Nicole Kupchik's exam reviews and practice questions at nicolekupchikconsulting.com. Use the promo code UPMYGAME2...

When I found myself struggling to communicate a patient's HIV status during a rapid response, it was a wake-up call that I needed to expand my knowledge. This podcast episodes delves deeper into HIV/AIDS than nursing school did, covering common hospital presentations, labs, medications, and opportunistic infections. By enhancing my own understanding, I hope to equip others to improve care for pati...

We often draw blood gasses looking for an ACIDosis, but what about when you discover an ALKAlosis? In this episode, I share a story of a patient with a history of CHF, admitted for diuresis. She was initially improving but becames lethargic and difficult to arouse. We were surprised when her VBG showed alkalosis instead acidosis. Guest Sarah Lorenzini from the Rapid Response RN podcast, helped me...

In nursing, we're taught certain conventions in school. But what happens when those practices don't match up with real-life situations? Join me as we delve into the controversial topics of administering medication one-by-one through feeding tubes, the presence of air bubbles in IV lines, and the appropriate size of IV catheters for blood transfusions. Get ready for a shocking revelations that migh...

Dive into the world of trauma nursing from the FAST exam, to the operating room and subsequent inpatient care. Michelle Dedeo, trauma and neuro clinical nurse specialist, explains key trauma concepts such as the trauma assessment, the triad of death, and massive transfusion protocols. Guest: Michelle Dedeo Michelle Dedeo is a clinical nurse specialist in the Seattle, WA area. Her work as a clinica...

Have you ever wondered what float pool nursing is like? These nurses fill staffing gaps throughout various units in the hospital, meaning no two days are the same. Listen in as I discuss what float pool nursing is, it's pros and cons, and who would make an ideal float pool nurse. Whether you’re an experienced nurse looking for a change of pace or a nursing student who is intrigued by the idea of h...

As nurses, we are trained to be on high alert for sepsis, but don't be fooled! This episode covers sepsis imposters: the sneaky diagnoses that present similarly to sepsis but could prove deadly if misdiagnosed. Follow along as Dawn Carpenter, DNP shares real-life case studies that will help you identify the subtle clues that could make the right diagnosis... and potentially save a life. Do you nee...

Have you noticed that your patients are being prescribed SGLT-2 inhibitors, even if they don't have diabetes?  If your patient asked, would you be able to explain why they are taking an SGLT-2 inhibitor? Listen in to learn about how this new and fascinating class of medication that was designed for diabetes is now being prescribed for heart failure, too. Do you need help with your resume, intervie...

When fluid resuscitating hypotensive patients, how do you know when to continue with IV fluids and when to initiate vasopressors? In this episode, critical care teaching legend Nicole Kupchik, RN MSN CNS, shares evidence-based practices for determining the best course of action. Explore the significance of noninvasive measurements in assessing fluid responsiveness and learn how incorrect decisions...

For nurses who are looking to transition out of the bedside, the options may be confusing. From academia, to advanced practice and management, it’s crucial to find the right path before embarking on a long journey. In this episode, Sarah Wells, MSN RN from New Thing Nurse, lays out the multitude of options, their pros and cons, and their licensure requirements. Check out Sarah at New Thing Nurse:...