Full Course Description

Overview and Update on Pediatric Pharmacology

Trying to stay current in pediatric pharmacological practices is always challenging! Learn why pediatric prescribing is complex, what safety issues we need to be aware of and what is on the horizon.

Program Information

Objectives

Discuss the history of pediatric drug regulation.
Identify newly approved or relabeled pediatric medications.
Discuss current pediatric drug studies and drugs on the horizon.
Determine pharmacokinetic differences in children.
Analyze emerging medication or poisoning hazards in children.

Outline

History of pediatric drug regulation

WHO Challenges with drug development
FDA drug regulation
Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act
Pediatric Drug Research Equity

Newly approved drugs for children and adolescents

Drugs relabeled for pediatric patients

Ongoing pediatric pharmacology studies/Pediatric Trials Network

Pharmacokinetic differences in children

Pediatric drug safety/Medwatch alerts

American Association of Poison Control Centers Emerging Hazards

Statistics
Cannabinoid exposures
Nicotine
Laundry packets
Opioids

Target Audience

Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Physician Assistants

Copyright : 08/21/2023

Pediatric Immunization Update

The vaccine recommendations keep changing, with new vaccines and new combinations available. Learn about the latest CDC and ACIP recommendations for vaccines, travel recommendations, and working with families to overcome vaccine hesitancy.

Program Information

Objectives

Discuss current CDC and ACIP pediatric immunization recommendations.
Determine travel immunization recommendations.
Describe the process of VAERS reporting.
Analyze interventions to overcome vaccine hesitancy.
Identify vaccines on the horizon.

Outline

Vaccine statistics

Worldwide
US

Current CDC and ACIP recommendations for pediatric and adolescent recommendations

New vaccines
Updated recommendations for existing vaccines
Catch up schedules
Vaccinating for medical conditions

Travel recommendations

Resources for travel vaccine information
Measles vaccine before travel
Hepatitis A vaccine before travel
Polio booster before travel to high risk areas

Vaccine adverse event reporting (VAERS)

Overcoming vaccine hesitancy

Vaccines on the horizon

Target Audience

Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Physician Assistants

Copyright : 08/21/2023

Pediatric Antibiotic Prescribing 101

With increasing antimicrobial resistance, our role as judicious prescribers of antibiotics in key. In this session, antibiotic pharmacology, antibiograms, and inappropriate antibiotic prescribing will be discussed. Recommendations for penicillin allergy will also be covered.

Program Information

Objectives

Analyze antibiotic resistance in the US and worldwide.
Discuss antibiotic pharmacology.
Use the local antibiogram to make prescribing decisions.
Determine how to manage penicillin allergy.
Describe the dangers of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing.

Outline

Antimicrobial resistance in the US and worldwide

Trends in antibiotic resistance
Over-use of antibiotics leading to resistance
Emergence of resistant fungal infections
How antibimicrobial resistance evolves
Review of sensitivity

Review of antibiotic pharmacology

Antibiotic classes
Antibiotic pharmacodynamics

Use of antibiogram

Antibiotic choices based on pathogen susceptibility
Understanding local resistance patterns

Managing penicillin allergy

Accurate diagnosis of penicillin allergy
Penicillin allergy testing

Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing

Statistics
Impact of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing

Target Audience

Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Physician Assistants

Copyright : 08/21/2023

Pediatric Antibiotic Prescribing 201

Do you know how to prescribe the right drug for the right bug? Selecting the correct antibiotic to prescribe for treatment of respiratory, skin, urinary, and eye infections will be discussed. Antibiotic treatment for gonorrhea and chlamydia is also covered. After this session, you will feel confident to order the right antibiotic every time.

Program Information

Objectives

Outline treatment guidelines for common pediatric respiratory infections.
Determine treatment guidelines for common skin infections.
Determine treatment guidelines for urinary tract infections.
Outline treatment guidelines for eye infections.
Prescribe antibiotics for treatment of gonorrhea and chlamydia.

Outline

Treating common pediatric respiratory infections

Otitis media
URI vs sinus infections
Pneumonia
Group A strep

Treating common skin infections

Impetigo
Cellulitis/boils
Paronychia
Animal bites
Treating urinary tract infections
Infants and children under age 2 years
Young children
Adolescents

Treating eye infections

Treating gonorrhea and chlamydia

Target Audience

Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Physician Assistants

Copyright : 08/21/2023

Preventing and Treating Viral Infections in Children

In this course, we will explore the intracellular life cycle of viral pathogens and review immunizations that prevent or mitigate common viral infections…such as influenza, herpes, varicella, and HepC.

Program Information

Objectives

Explore the intracellular life cycle of viral pathogens.
Review of the common viral infections treated in children.
Immunizations to prevent viral infections.
Prescribing antiviral medications to children .

Outline

Intracellular life cycle of viral pathogens

Common viral infections treated in children

Immunizations to prevent viral infections

Polio
MMR
Varicella
Rotavirus
Influenza
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Human papillomavirus
COVID-19
Ebola
Mpox

Prescribing antiviral medications to children

Antivirals for influenza
Antivirals for herpes
Antivirals for varicella
PrEP
Antivirals for Hepatitis C

Prescribing immune globulins for children

Target Audience

Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Physician Assistants

Copyright : 08/21/2023

Biologic Use in Children and Adolescents

Monoclonal antibodies, plasma-derived proteins, and recombinant human proteins are increasingly being used in children and adolescents. In this session, you will analyze the evidence for their safety and efficacy in the treatment of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases.

Program Information

Objectives

Analyze the mechanisms of biologics.
Determine appropriate use of biologics in children and adolescents.
Identify safety concerns when biologic agents are prescribed.

Outline

Overview of biologics including

plasma-derived therapeutic proteins
monoclonal antibodies
therapeutic recombinant human proteins.

Use of biologics in children and adolescents

Vaccines and immune globulins
Autoimmune diseases
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Inflammatory diseases
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease)
- Atopic dermatitis
- Psoriasis
- Asthma
Hematologic diseases
- Hemophilia A
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
- Hodgkin Lymphoma
Malignant tumors
RSV

Safety concerns when biologic agents are prescribed

Immunosuppression
Risk of malignancy
Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma
Nonmelanoma skin cancer

Immunizations

Target Audience

Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Physician Assistants

Copyright : 08/21/2023

Nutraceuticals and Supplements Use in Children

An extensive review will provide an up-to-date information on integrating the current evidence regarding the use of supplements in children into primary care pediatric practice. Guidelines for counselling patients and monitoring for unsafe use will be included..

Program Information

Objectives

Counsel pediatric patients on evidence-based use of supplements.
Safely prescribe vitamins, probiotics, fiber and phytonutrients.
Assess for unsafe supplement use.

Outline

Evidence-based use of supplements

Nutritional intake of children
Nutritional and vitamin deficiencies in children
Prescribing supplements
Vitamins

Probiotics

fiber
fatty acids
phytonutrients

Unsafe supplement use

Target Audience

Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Physician Assistants

Copyright : 08/21/2023

Prescribing Dermatologic Medications for Children

Hear about the new recommendations for treatment of common dermatologic problems in primary care paediatrics.

Program Information

Objectives

Analyze the recommendations for treating common dermatologic conditions.
Identify the safety issues with dermatologic agents.
Describe new drugs on the horizon.

Outline

Recommendations for treating common dermatologic conditions

Atopic Dermatitis
Acne
Head lice
Scabies
Impetigo
Candida

Safety issues with dermatologic agents in children

Topical corticosteroids
Topical ectoparasiticides

Drugs on the horizon

Biologic agents

Target Audience

Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Physician Assistants

Copyright : 09/05/2023

Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia in the Neonate

Whether it is hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia in a neonate, it signals a failure of the normal transition from fetal to postnatal patterns of glucose homeostasis, and both can lead to complications and are important risk factors for mortality and morbidity in the neonatal period. In this session, Julia Muzzy Williamson will provide a comprehensive overview of both conditions, their complex etiologies, and the most current guidelines for management. Learn how to work within the interdisciplinary team to treat these challenging conditions and improve outcomes for these little patients.

Program Information

Objectives

Differentiate between the pathophysiology of neonatal hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.
Develop a management approach for neonatal hyper/hypoglycemia.
Determine the complications of neonatal hyper/hypoglycemia.
Integrate current interprofessional guidelines to improve outcomes for patients with neonatal hyper/hypoglycemia.

Outline

Hyperglycemia
- Etiology
  - Prematurity and Intrauterine growth restriction
  - Increased stress hormones
  - Causes related to feeding/total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
  - Sepsis
  - Iatrogenic
  - Transient neonatal diabetes mellitus
  - Drugs
- Evaluation
- History and Physical
- Workup
- Glucose
- Electrolytes
- Differential Diagnoses
- Treatment and Management - Interdisciplinary
- Glucose Infusion Rate (GIR)
- Role of Insulin
Hypoglycemia
- Etiology
  - Insufficient glucose supply, with low glycogen or fat stores or poor mechanisms of glucose production
  - Increased glucose utilization (excessive insulin production or increased metabolic demand)
  - Failure of counter-regulatory mechanisms
- Evaluation
- History and Physical
- Workup
- Differential Diagnoses
- Treatment and Management - Interdisciplinary
- Early feeding
- Intravenous dextrose
- Second line - corticosteroids

Target Audience

Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapy Assistants
Physician Assistants
Speech Language Pathologists
Other Professions

Copyright : 01/05/2023

Pediatric Pharmacology: ADHD Management

The diagnosis and management of ADHD in children and youth has been particularly challenging for primary care clinicians. Mental health clinicians are not a solution for many families due to financial barriers, demographic barriers, and scarcity. This results in increased demand and expectation or the primary care providers to diagnose, treat and manage ADHD.

Program Information

Objectives

Determine the relevant epidemiology of ADD/ADHD.
Formulate a diagnosis ADD/ADHD based off the DSM-5 criteria.
Optimize appropriate nonpharmacological treatment options.
Analyze the pharmacological properties of amphetamine salts dosage forms.
Select appropriate medications based off the most up to date literature and pharmacogenomics.

Outline

ADHD Epidemiology

Prevalence
Risk Factors

Diagnosis

DSM-5 Criteria
Inattention
Hyperactivity and Impulsivity

Treatment Recommendations

Behavior Management – Parent
Classroom Interventions
Medications
Treatment Plan

Medications

Stimulants
- First line... methylphenidate and amphetamine
- Second line
Medication Trials
Non-Stimulants

Target Audience

Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
Physician Assistants
Physicians

Pediatric Care: Medication Selection to Manage Children’s Symptoms

As we see pediatric patients in practice, it is imperative that we identify and treat the CAUSE, which will hopefully take care of the SYMPTOM, making appropriate use of the best evidence to guide practice decisions.

And it isn’t just the pediatric patient’s presentation. Parents can be at their whit’s end when you see them…concerned, frustrated or perhaps already ready to form their own diagnostic conclusion.

Join Stephen Jones, MS, RN, PNP, ET, to recognize, prevent and manage common childhood conditions. When you know the latest evidence based recommendations, you will have the clarity to incorporate necessary assessments to dictate the treatment plan.

Program Information

Objectives

Differentiate between multi system causes vs. symptoms with manifesting signs.
Choose the essentials necessary for an efficient history and assessment of pediatric presenting symptoms.
Determine the significance of the airway and gut microbiome in contributing to reported symptoms, along with appropriate management.
Evaluate many of the underlying causes and triggers for common upper (including HEENT) and lower respiratory conditions.

Outline

History Taking and Physical Assessment

Developmentally and age appropriate techniques
Determining cause versus symptom and underlying triggers
Non-pharmacological and pharmacological choices

HEENT/Upper Respiratory Conditions

Symptoms - shiners under eyes, tearing and redness from sclera/eyes; ear pain and/or can’t hear; nasal congestion and rhinorrhea; croupy sounding cough, stridor
Non-pharmacological management
Pharmacological and technology options
- Allergy and cold and cough medications
- Anti-microbial
- Nasal sprays, nasal rinses, eye drops, ear drops

Lower Respiratory Conditions

Symptoms - cough, wheeze, dyspnea, difficulty breathing
Non-pharmacological management: chest physiotherapy
Pharmacological (OTC and RX), and technology options
- Asthma medications: Controllers and relievers
- Anti-microbial
- Cold and cough medications
- Analgesic
- Spacers, nebulizers, DPI, oral pills. Mist/humidification. Pulse oximeter.

Gastrointestinal conditions

Symptoms - abdominal discomfort, reflux/heartburn, colic, loose stools/diarrhea, constipated, dehydrated and not taking fluids
Non-pharmacological management
- based on GI tract “zone”, CAM, alternative therapies
- concepts of dehydration and diarrhea, with appropriate evidence-based fluids
Pharmacological options
- Antacids and analgesics
- Anti-diarrheal
- Constipation: Acute and chronic medications

Temperature Measurement

Current evidence-based guidelines for appropriate fever management

Headache:

Symptoms - pain, throbbing, nausea, lights bothering
Best practice treatment guidance

Sleep:

Symptoms - hard time falling asleep; not able to stay asleep; sleeps “all night” but still tired
Pharmacological treatments: OTC vs. R

Target Audience

Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Physicians
Physicians Assistants

Pediatric Toxicology

Pediatric patients comprise a large percentage of toxic exposure calls to US Poison Centers. Although many of these are minor ingestions, there are several substances that can lead to severe toxicity or even death with even small ingestions in children. Learn more about the statistics, top exposures, and management.

Program Information

Objectives

Evaluate trends in Pediatric toxicology agents.
Determine common agents that kill at low doses.
Recognize common toxidromes.
Determine appropriate investigations for pediatric toxicology presentations.
Develop an initial management approach to pediatric toxicology events.
Increase awareness of "intentional insults" by outside individuals.

Outline

Poisoning Overview Statistics
- Emergency Room Visits
- Hotline Reports
- Most Common Ages
- 2008 - Leading Cause of Home Injury
Top Exposures
Most Dangerous
Commercial Influence
Peer Pressure
- Cannabis
- E-Cigs
- Opioids
Management of Acute Poisoning
- Ivermectin
Toxidomes
Summary/Take Home

Target Audience

Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Physicians
Physician Assistants

Pediatric Pain: A Comprehensive Primer for Interprofessional Healthcare Providers

Join us for an insightful one-hour discussion as we delve into pediatric pain management, an essential aspect of providing optimal care for our youngest patients. The goal of this activity is for learners to be able to identify different pain conditions in children, to better understand pain in the context of child development, and to be better able to respond appropriately to pediatric pain with nonpharmacological and pharmacologic treatments. Together, we will explore evidence-based strategies for the effective assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of pain in children. The session aims to increase knowledge and improve the provision of care for children experiencing pain. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your expertise and enhance your ability to provide compassionate care to improve the lives of children experiencing pain.

Program Information

Objectives

Knowledge – Differentiate between acute, chronic, and neuropathic pain in pediatric patients and understand the common pain conditions for each type.
Comprehension – Explain the impact of pediatric pain on child development and apply their understanding of this relationship in clinical decision-making.
Application – Develop a comprehensive pain management plan for a pediatric patient that integrates nonpharmacological and pharmacologic treatment options based on the patient’s age, condition, and individual needs.

Outline

Introduction and Overview: The Importance of Understanding Pain in Infants and Children

Historical context, inequities, and consequences of undermanaged pain
Pain physiology basics
Classification of pain
Common painful conditions in children
Pain and child development

Pain Assessment in Children

Tools for pain assessment
Scales and limitations of scales
Joint Commission and pain assessment
Focus on function

Managing Pain in Children

Non pharmacologic pain management
Analgesics: opioids and non-opioids
Adjuvants
Perioperative pain management: PCAs and regional anesthetics

Avoiding Pitfalls in Peds Pain Management

Barriers to appropriate pain assessment
Prescribing and Dosing considerations
Managing medication side effects

Target Audience

Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
APRNs
Physician Assistants
Physicians