Straight A Nursing: Study for nursing school exams & NCLEX

Latest Episodes:

#337: An End to Case Study Confusion Mar 14, 2024

Show notes

Nursing school exam questions place you into a clinical scenario where you have to make decisions based on the information provided. Many times these scenarios are robust and full of a lot of details such as vital signs, past medical history, and the patient’s signs and symptoms. When you have a complex scenario such as this, it is called a case study.

Case studies can be challenging for students for a variety of reasons:

They can be lengthy
They contain a lot of information, much of it numerical data
They often contain distractors or irrelevant information
They may contain abbreviations or terms you don’t understand
You might not be sure what to do with all the information provided

The key to conquering case studies is to use a systematic approach that you follow every single time. Hit play on this episode to learn the step-by-step approach that will have you approaching case studies with a lot more confidence!

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Get the Guide “Conquering Case Studies”- Get a step-by-step guide to conquering case studies, including examples!

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Confident Calculations - Learn a foolproof method for performing dosage calculations so you can pass your nursing school math exams on the first try!

Crucial Concepts Bootcamp - Start nursing school ahead of the game, or reset after a difficult first semester with my nursing school prep course, Crucial Concepts Bootcamp. Learn key foundation concepts, organization and time management, dosage calculations, and so much more.

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The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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ANNOUNCEMENT! A new way to get the episodes you need most Mar 09, 2024

Show notes

I've got something new and exciting to share with you!

With over 330 episodes, I know it can sometimes be a little overwhelming to find exactly what you need...especially if you're new here. That's why I created the Playlist Prescription.

Just fill out this quick form to get a FREE customized playlist of episodes on the topics you need help with the most, sent right to your inbox. Easy!

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#336: The Dangers of Local Anesthetics Mar 07, 2024

Show notes

Local anesthetics are medications that block nerve impulses so that pain signals aren’t transmitted to the brain. The result is that the anesthetized area is numb and pain is controlled.

Just because local anesthetics are “local” doesn’t mean systemic toxicity can’t occur. Local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) occurs when local anesthetics extend into the system at toxic levels. It most typically occurs due to the physician accidentally injecting the medication into the intravascular space. However, it can also be from locally administered overdose, which leads to systemic toxicity.

Hit play on this episode to dive into local anesthetic systemic toxicity so you can understand which of your patients are at highest risk and what to watch for!

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Full Transcript- Read the article and view references.

Pharmacology Success Pack - Want to get a head start on pharmacology? Download the FREE Pharmacology Success Pack.

Fast Pharmacology - Learn pharmacology concepts in 5 minutes or less in this audio based program. Perfect for on-the-go review!

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#335: Your Pacemaker Questions Answered Feb 29, 2024

Show notes

When the heart rate is irregular or too slow, cardiac output is compromised. A pacemaker may be utilized to support the heart’s electrical system, stabilize arrhythmias, and ensure the heart pumps at a rate that supports tissue perfusion throughout the body.

A pacemaker may be indicated in patients with arrhythmias such as sick sinus syndrome (also known as sinus node dysfunction), symptomatic bradycardia, or high-grade heart blocks. Other indications include post myocardial infarction, heart failure, congenital heart defects, and temporarily after some cardiac surgeries.

This episode answers some key questions you have about pacemakers including:

What do all these terms mean? Capture? Sensing? Output?
What’s the difference between failure to sense and oversensing?
What is failure to capture?
What’s the difference between electrical capture and mechanical capture?
What are the different types of pacemakers?
What do the letters in the pacemaker settings mean?
What are some common pacing modes?
How do I troubleshoot common temporary pacemaker problems?
What is an ICD?

Hit play on this episode to learn some basics about pacemakers, so you can feel more confident caring for patients utilizing this very common device!

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Full Transcript- Read the article and view references.

Study Sesh - Change the way you study with this private podcast that includes dynamic audio formats that help you review and test your recall of important nursing concepts on-the-go. Free yourself from your desk with Study Sesh!

Med Surg Solution - Are you looking for a more effective way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics and out-of-this-world study guides.

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#334: Use the ABCs and Maslow to Prioritize Nursing Care Feb 22, 2024

Show notes

Prioritizing patient care is often difficult for students in nursing school or even new nurses. And while novice nurses thrive when they utilize to-do lists, prioritization is so much more than making a task list and following it throughout your shift. It’s actually a constantly fluctuating component of your workflow that must take multiple factors (and multiple patients) into consideration.

The good news is, most of the time you can answer prioritization questions on nursing school exams and prioritize your nursing care at the bedside by following two key frameworks - the ABCs and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

Click play on this episode to learn how to work this into your practice and go through some scenarios designed to help you “think like a nurse!”

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Full Transcript- Read the article and view references

Med Surg Solution - Are you looking for a more effective way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics and out-of-this-world study guides.

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#333: How Cheating Causes Harm - A Conversation with ATI Feb 20, 2024

Show notes

Even though nursing is THE most trusted profession, you may be surprised to learn that academic misconduct occurs at the same rate amongst nursing students as it does other academic disciplines. One reason for this is that cheating goes beyond just getting “extra help” on an exam, and students may not recognize other aspects of academic dishonesty as actual cheating.

The reason cheating is such a big deal in nursing school is that it’s not just the student who suffers. Ultimately, patient safety is at stake.

In this special episode brought to you by ATI, we’re exploring the concept of academic integrity, what counts as “cheating” and how both the student (and their future patients) are put at risk. As an ATI affiliate, I may earn a small commission when you buy from the links below and use the coupon code (at no extra cost to you).

A big thank you to our sponsor, ATI! ATI is a leader in nursing education, dedicated to empowering nursing students and educators with innovative solutions for success on exams and in their careers. From the ATI TEAS to comprehensive NCLEX preparation and ongoing professional development, ATI Nursing offers the resources and support needed to excel in the ever-evolving healthcare environment.

ATI TEAS Prep - Prepare for the TEAS exam with ATI and start your nursing journey strong!

⭐️ Get a discount on ATI TEAS prep materials - Use code SAN15 to get 15% off ATI TEAS prep material or packages using this link at ATI Testing.
🎓 Prep for NCLEX with ATI - With virtual ATI NCLEX Prep, you get a comprehensive online program with personalized learning, detailed feedback from a nurse educator, and a plethora of practice questions that mimic the real exam!

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#332: Appendicitis NCLEX Review Feb 15, 2024

Show notes

Did you know appendicitis is one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions you’ll see in the clinical setting? It’s also highly likely to show up on nursing school exams!

In this episode you’ll learn:

Why symptoms can vary so much from person to person
What we now know about the appendix (turns out, it’s not totally useless!)
The classic presentation of a patient with appendicitis
How to assess for rebound tenderness
Where McBurney’s point is located
Why pain medication might be held initially
Which tests are utilized for a patient with appendicitis and why this is different in children
The treatments for appendicitis
What to teach your patient/family after an appendectomy

Hit play on this episode and share it with a classmate or colleague if you found it helpful!

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Full Transcript- Read the article and view references

Med Surg Solution - Are you looking for a more effective way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics and out-of-this-world study guides.

LATTE Method Template - Download the free LATTE Method Template so you can streamline how you study and focus on what a nurse needs to know.

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#331: Know These 12 Drugs Before Your First Clinical Day Feb 08, 2024

Show notes

As a nursing student or nurse, you’ll learn about hundreds of drugs over the span of your career but the ones you’ll know really well are the ones you use on a consistent basis. If you’re just starting out and aren’t sure which drugs to focus on, this list of one dozen common drugs will come in handy in a wide variety of acute care settings.

This episode covers some of the key things to know about:

Diphenhydramine
Furosemide
Hydralazine
Gabapentin
Levothyroxine
Lisinopril
Metformin
Metoprolol
Morphine
Prednisone
Simvastatin
Warfarin

Know someone who would also love to review these drugs? Just hit that share button!

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Full Transcript- Read the article and view references

Pharmacology Success Pack - Want to get a head start on pharmacology? Download the FREE Pharmacology Success Pack.

Fast Pharmacology - Learn pharmacology concepts in 5 minutes or less in this audio based program. Perfect for on-the-go review!

Med Surg Solution - Are you looking for a more effective way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics and out-of-this-world study guides.

Confident Calculations - Learn a foolproof method for performing dosage calculations so you can pass your nursing school math exams on the first try!

💕Did you love this episode? Please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode!

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Straight a Nursing is a proud member of the Airwave Media Network.

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#330: Do You Know These Medical Terms? Feb 01, 2024

Show notes

Something you’ll learn quickly (if you haven’t already) is that the medical field is full of terms named after people…Beck’s triad, Kernig’s sign, McBurney’s point and Ortolani maneuver are just a few! Unfortunately, you just need to memorize what these are, so I’ve pulled together some common ones to know in this episode.

Hit play on this episode and soon you’ll be “talking the talk” just like a pro! There's a podquiz at the end so you can test yourself!

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Full Transcript- Read the article and view references

Med Surg Solution - Are you looking for a more effective way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics and out-of-this-world study guides. Include if we’re talking about MSS

Clinical Debrief Template - One of the best ways to fast-track your clinical learning is to debrief after each clinical day so you can apply what you learned to future scenarios.

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#329: Know These Eight Labs Before Your First Clinical Day Jan 25, 2024

Show notes

In this episode I’m breaking down eight key labs to know before your first clinical day in nursing school:

Hemoglobin
Hematocrit
WBCs
Platelets
Sodium
Potassium
Creatinine
Glucose

Hit play on this episode and start your nursing school clinicals with more confidence and the knowledge you need to create an effective plan of care.

One of the best ways to fast-track your clinical learning is having the right tools. My Clinical Success Pack is pack includes report sheets, sheets to help you plan your day, a clinical debrief form, and a patient safety cheat sheet. Download it now for free 👉 ⁠Get the Clinical Success Pack

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Full Transcript- Read the article and view references

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