Full Course Description

Module 1: Acute Cardiac Conditions: Quick Assessment & Rapid Action

“Time is muscle”
Quick identification of acute cardiac pathologies
Critical differences between cardiogenic shock and other types of shock
Which aortic dissection patients need emergency surgery? Which don’t?
Identify cardiac tamponade using Beck’s triad of symptoms
Recognize the first signs of acute cardiac arrhythmias to intervene fast

You’re caring for a stable patient when suddenly she develops tachycardia and hypotension as well as complaints of pain. All are symptoms consistent with acute coronary syndrome, early shock, aortic dissection, tamponade, and various arrhythmias. Which is it?! Acute patient changes require quick assessment and rapid action.

With a thorough understanding of cardiac anatomy and physiology, you can utilize your knowledge in identifying presenting and evolving symptoms, as well as knowing potential risk factors for common pathologies. Fascinating case studies will be used to assist in making the right decisions. This knowledge will allow you to react appropriately and not panic, returning to work with the ability to more quickly determine a differential diagnosis and best prepare patients and families on the expected interventions and course of treatment.

Program Information

Outline

Acute Cardiac Pathology

Differentiate between an ST elevation MI and a non ST elevation MI
What about the presentation based on different coronary vessel involvement?
Review angiogram films to identify specific pathology including culprit vs. chronic lesions
When are thrombolytics appropriate?
When should an invasive procedure like angioplasty or stenting be performed?
When to refer to surgery – including timing of urgent and elective surgery
See the changes of acute MV regurgitation caused by myocardial ischemia on echocardiogram
MR treatments: Pharmacology? When is it time for surgery or catheter-based interventions?
Find out how an intra-aortic balloon pump can stabilize a patient with ventral septal defect caused by MI prior to surgery
Review which drugs are most beneficial for specific conditions and adhere to AHA recommendations

Cardiogenic Shock

Understand the multiple causes of cardiogenic shock to identify early symptoms
Compare the function of diagnostic techniques, including echocardiogram and swanganz catheters
Gain insight into typical and more advanced treatments including fluid resuscitation, medication, interventions, intra-aortic balloon pumps, ECMO, and VADs

Aortic Dissection

Stanford types A and B – including common causes, which patients are at risk, and typical presenting symptoms
Review diagnostic techniques and images including echocardiogram, TEE, and CT scans for pathological findings
Which patients require emergency surgery vs. medical management?
Explore the latest surgical techniques used in treatment

Cardiac Tamponade

Identify the symptoms of cardiac tamponade including the components of Beck’s triad
Learn the causes of pericardial tamponade
Review diagnostic echocardiogram and CT images
Appropriate treatments including pericardiocentesis and pericardial window surgical procedures

Arrhythmias

Identify acute cardiac arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation/flutter, 3rd-degree heart block and ventricular tachycardia by EKG findings
Review common etiologies and risk factors
Explore treatment options including medication, electricity, and ablation procedures

Objectives

Analyze EKG, physiologic, vascular, and structural changes related to myocardial ischemia.
Breakdown acute mitral regurgitation due to papillary muscle dysfunction, ventral septal defects, and the acute physiologic symptoms observed.
Communicate acute cardiac interventions including pharmacological, percutaneous and surgical treatments.
Point out the etiology and symptoms of cardiogenic shock and treatments utilized.
Analyze Stanford type A and B aortic dissection and treatments for each including which type requires emergency cardiac surgery.
Breakdown symptoms of cardiac tamponade and appropriate treatments.
Evaluate acute cardiac rhythm changes, etiology, and treatments for each including pharmacological and invasive interventions.

Target Audience

Nurses and other Healthcare Professionals.

Copyright : 05/11/2017

Module 2: Acute Cardiac Conditions: Quick Assessment & Rapid Action

Copyright : 05/11/2017

Module 3: Acute Cardiac Conditions: Quick Assessment & Rapid Action

Copyright : 05/11/2017

Module 4: Acute Cardiac Conditions: Quick Assessment & Rapid Action

Copyright : 05/11/2017

Module 5: Acute Cardiac Conditions: Quick Assessment & Rapid Action

Copyright : 05/11/2017

Module 1: The Complex Neuro Patient: Strategies to Take Your Practice to the Next Level

Assessments that Identify the RED Flags
Neuro Pharmacology Updates
Latest Management Strategies for: Neuro Trauma, Stroke, Seizures, Neuromuscular & Neurodegenerative Diseases

Does this sound familiar?

78-year-old Joe presents to the ER reporting he has a headache that just doesn’t go away, today his vision seems a bit blurry and he is experiencing more dizziness. His wife tells you something is “not right” and he seems more confused. Joes tells you it’s just the “flu”; everybody gets that this time of year and he doesn’t know why his wife made him come in.

What Joe left out of the story:

The fall he took on the ice two days ago; he didn’t want his wife to worry so he hadn’t told her. Instead he’s been taking aspirin hoping his headache will just go away.

Patients may present with or develop neurological symptoms at any time, making it essential that healthcare providers possess the ability—and confidence—to quickly assess these changes and intervene appropriately. Without the key piece of information that Joe left out of the story, are you sure you have all the skills necessary to spot the subtle changes? Are you prepared for the emergency that is happening right in front of you?

Join nationally-known speaker and neurological nursing expert, Sean Smith, RN, BSN, NREMT-P, C-NPT, CCRN, CMC, CFRN, FP-C, CPEN, for this in-depth look at the complex neuro patient. Every nurse needs to know these critical concepts in order to provide the best and most up-to-date care to patients and their families. Sean is well known for his ability to make complex concepts understandable and useful. Register today and be prepared to make the difference between a good and bad outcome when faced with your next neurological emergency.

Program Information

Outline

Neuro Assessments: Identifying the RED Flags

Challenging Mental Status Exams
- The Patient with Existing Dementia
The Down-n-Dirty Cranial Nerve Assessment
Glasgow Coma Scale
Identifying Red Flags
Effectively Communicating Changes

Neuro Trauma: The Latest Evidence-Based Strategies

Blunt & Penetrating Injuries
Symptom Management for:
- Hypoxemia
- Hypotension
- Prophylactic Hypothermia
- Nutrition Replacement
- Normoglycemia
- Hyperventilation
Surgical Emergencies & Post-op Care
- Craniotomy & Craniectomy
Associated Mental Status & Cognitive Changes

Managing Increased Intracranial Pressure

Early & Late Symptoms
Non-invasive vs. Invasive Monitoring
ICP Waveform Analysis Made Easy

Neuro Pharmacology: New Thoughts on Old Therapies

Steroids
Osmotic Diuretics
Hypertonic Saline
Anti-Seizure Prophylaxis
DVT Prophylaxis
Thrombolytics & Anticoagulation
Reversal Agents
Infection Prophylaxis
Anesthetics, Analgesics & Sedatives

Timely Recognition and Treatment Recommendations for Stroke Syndromes

Acute Ischemic Stroke
Intracerebral Hemorrhagic Stroke
Hemispheric Findings
NIH Stroke Scale
Clinical Presentation & Management of Seizures
Differentiation of Seizure Type
Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES’s)
Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP)

Neurodegenerative & Neuromuscular Disease

The Patient with Alzheimer’s Disease
Assessing Altered Mental Status
The Patient with Pre-Existing Dementia
Tips to Spot Subtle Clues
Differentiating Diagnosis by Symptom Onset

The Patient with Multiple Sclerosis

Physical Assessment Challenges
The Patient with Muscle Weakness & Wasting
Key Criteria for Assessing Baseline

The Patient with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Anticipating Complications
Early Recognition of Life-threatening Symptoms
What equipment is a MUST have at the bedside?
Difficult Airway Management

The Patient with Parkinson’s Disease

Symptom Management Challenges
Interventions for the Agitated Patient
Strategies for Effective Patient Compliance
Team Approach: Role of the Interdisciplinary Team & Family

Objectives

Assess neuroanatomy as applicable to complex neurologic patients.
Breakdown neurologic assessment strategies and changes associated with pathologic conditions.
Choose between head injury types, associated mental status, and cognitive changes.
Communicate the latest strategies for timely recognition and treatment of stroke syndromes.
Specify the clinical presentation and treatment recommendations for seizure types.
Correlate increased intracranial pressures with expected causes and critical care management.
Evaluate post-op management of neurosurgical patients.
Breakdown essential management strategies for patients with neurodegenerative and neuromuscular disorders.

Target Audience

Nurses, Physician Assistants.

Module 2: The Complex Neuro Patient: Strategies to Take Your Practice to the Next Level

Module 3: The Complex Neuro Patient: Strategies to Take Your Practice to the Next Level

Module 4: The Complex Neuro Patient: Strategies to Take Your Practice to the Next Level

Module 5: The Complex Neuro Patient: Strategies to Take Your Practice to the Next Level

Module 6: The Complex Neuro Patient: Strategies to Take Your Practice to the Next Level

Must Know Cardiac and Respiratory Lab Tests

CKMB? BNP? Troponins? Learn what they all mean and understand why we order them and how they integrate into a comprehensive cardiac assessment. Understand the wherefores and whys of cardiac workup…Time is Muscle! Examine oxygenation, ventilation, acid-base status and more. No matter the setting you work in you will benefit from gaining understanding through application to case studies. Both Inpatient and Outpatient applications will be addressed along with patient monitoring, and practice guidelines for optimizing therapy.

Program Information

Objectives

Determine when the Troponin implies a myocardial infarct and what else can cause modest elevation to this cardiac marker.
Use the differences between ST elevation and ST depression on the EKG as it relates to cardiac insult.
Analyze four abnormal findings on the ABG and common causes of each.
Utilize a tool for easy analysis of ABG findings

Outline

Acute Coronary Syndrome
Components of Cardiac Lab Tests
BNP and Pro-BNP
Congestive Heart Failure
Blood Gases: Arterial and Venous
Acid/Base Compensation

Target Audience

Nurses
Advanced Practice Nurses
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Nurse Midwives
Pharmacists
Nurse Practitioners
Physician Assistants
Occupational Therapists
Dietitians
Physical Therapists
Other Healthcare Professionals