When genetic testing identifies a pathogenic mutation in a family, there is a possibility that family members who do not have a diagnosis of cancer can have genetic testing to clarify whether they have a high risk for developing malignancy. For those family members with a mutation, tailored recommendations can decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with certain cancers in these families. This course provides nurses with key information on how family history can contribute to cancer risk for some cancer diagnoses in women.

ADHD is no longer seen as a childhood disorder, and it is likely that many adults affected by the ADHD are undiagnosed. It is for this reason that this course has been developed: to educate healthcare professionals and bring clarity and a deeper understanding to the research, diagnosis, and treatment of ADHD in adults. Additionally, the significance of workplace-related issues and ADHD are discussed.

Although not a mainstay of therapy, the use of alternative therapies by individuals with asthma warrants discussion because of its increasing popularity. The use of alternative therapies is so prevalent that healthcare professionals can expect to provide care to a large number of individuals who use these therapies. Alternative therapies may influence the delivery of medical care, so it is important to ask about a history of alternative therapy use in the assessment. Healthcare professionals have a responsibility to provide individuals who use other therapies with accurate information about the safety and potential adverse interactions with traditional medical care. It is imperative that the person with asthma understand the risks and benefits of alternative treatments, which ones have evidence-based effectiveness, and the need to maintain medical management and follow-up to ensure good asthma outcomes. This course focuses specifically on the use of alternative therapies in asthma treatment.

This course focuses on the Nurse’s role in assessing and intervening to address communication challenges, nutrition, incontinence, falls and restraint use, and pain and hospitalization for the person with Alzheimer’s disease. Because it is important to think beyond the physical care of the person with dementia, the course examines spirituality, palliative and end-of-life care for the person with AD. Pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions are also discussed.

p>This course provides a comprehensive guide to Alzheimer’s disease and its pathology, and presents the most up-to-date criteria and guidelines for its diagnosis. Communication challenges, nutrition, incontinence, falls and restraint use, and pain and hospitalization for the person with Alzheimer’s disease are thoroughly discussed in separate chapters. Because patient-centered nursing care reaches beyond the physical care of the person, spirituality, palliative care and end-of-life issues are examined in the context of the person with Alzheimer’s disease. Pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions are covered extensively as well as all aspects of caregiving and caregiver planning.

Over time, the understanding and perceptions of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have changed dramatically as a result of advances in medical technology and recent increases in medical knowledge. This course walks clinicians through that evolution, providing them with a comprehensive history as well as the latest available research. This course provides nurses with information regarding the initial conceptualizations of ADHD and its historical underpinnings, including populations involved. The etiology of ADHD and its genetic, biological, and environmental factors are also explored and discussed.

The purpose of this course is to provide the learner with current knowledge about pain and nursing care for premature infants, older adults, and patients with developmental delays. Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to demonstrate an understanding of pain assessment for patients in these populations and identify evidence-based assessment for patients whose cognitive impairment, age, or level of consciousness makes them incapable of reporting their pain. The learner will also demonstrate an understanding of the pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment of acute and chronic pain as well as treatment of pain for patients in these special populations.

The purpose of this course is to enable healthcare professionals to incorporate the most current evidence-based guidelines for the management and treatment of patients with asthma into their clinical practice. The pathology of asthma, disease symptoms, environmental triggers, diagnosis, treatment, associated conditions, and health education are discussed, as well as the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program’s (NAEPPs) guidelines for the treatment and management of patients with asthma.

The purpose of this course is to provide nurses with a sturdy underpinning of relevant content related to ADHD. Nurses practicing in any healthcare, academic, or organizational context will acquire contemporary knowledge about ADHD and information that may be new to them or furthers formerly learned concepts pertaining to ADHD research, diagnosis, and treatment across the lifespan. Areas that will be detailed in this course include: understanding the roots of ADHD; identification of the etiology of ADHD; management and treatment of ADHD across the lifespan; children and ADHD; adolescents with ADHD; college students with ADHD; adults with ADHD; co-morbidities and common differential diagnoses of ADHD; professional career decisions and ADHD; the role of family and ADHD; gender issues and ADHD; and future directions for ADHD.

This course teaches basic psychiatric concepts, disorders, treatment modalities, therapeutic communication skills, medications, and cultural variances in how mental illness is perceived and treated in adults and children. Designed for the practicing registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical or vocational nurse (LPN or LVN), this course educates nurses by updating their mental health skills and knowledge of current psychiatric treatments. Also examines broad categories of psychiatric disorders reflective of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. (DSM-5).

This course will provide nurses with information to assist in their understanding of bipolar and related disorders, risks and prevention measures, identification, assessment, and management across the course of the illness. Nurses with a focus on prevention and holistic care will gain knowledge and tools to better identify the complex factors that affect these clients, including assessment of the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder, understanding of associated risks and appropriate treatments, strategies for crisis management and recovery, and relapse-prevention and symptom-management strategies for long-term stabilization. Nurses are tasked with collaborating with other health professionals and making appropriate referrals in order to provide a continuum of care that helps patients gain stability; as such, resources and appropriate supports are presented. Nurses work with individual clients and the support systems affected by the symptoms of these disorders. Recognition of necessary and appropriate supports for individuals and families is essential to promoting recovery. Written for nurses, this basic-level course presents essential information about bipolar and related disorders, including epidemiology, signs and symptoms, causal and associated risk factors, assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation, symptom management, relapse prevention, and outcomes evaluation.

Nurses play a key role informing patients on the advances, the importance of individualizing the approach to therapy, and offering support during each phase of the cancer diagnosis and care. With early detection and effective treatment, women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer can realistically expect to survive and live happy, productive lives. This course provides nurses with essential information about the epidemiology, risk factors, prevention and detection strategies, staging, and treatments for breast cancer in women.

This course reviews many of the major concepts in nursing care when women are diagnosed with malignancies. The major cancers that affect women are addressed, including breast, ovarian, uterine, cervical, lung, colorectal, and skin cancers. Information about each of these cancers includes an overview of the epidemiology of the cancer, risk factors, risk assessment, prevention and detection strategies, diagnosis, staging, and treatment modalities. Chapters that address genetic risk, psychosocial concerns, sexuality, alternative and complementary medicine, and patient education considerations are also included. Case studies and commentaries are included throughout the course to illustrate content and to assist with concepts and knowledge acquisition for application in practice settings.

It is essential for nurses to maintain and update skills needed to care for patients who have mental health issues, or psychiatric symptoms or disorders, in order to provide all patients with the best possible care. This course is designed to enhance the skills required by nonpsychiatric nurses when caring for patients with psychiatric and mental health issues in general health care settings. Psychiatric and mental health nurses may also receive new insight into the general medical patient with a psychiatric condition from this course.

For nurses working in hospitals, placement of a vascular access device for infusion therapy is the most common invasive procedure. When appropriate care is not provided, it potentially affects clinical outcomes. This course is intended for nurses who administer infusion therapy in all healthcare settings. It focuses on the selection and placement of central vascular access devices (CVADs) as well as their ongoing care and maintenance in order to safely manage CVADs and reduce the risk for complications.

This course assists nurses in understanding the complexities of the prevention and assessment of childhood obesity and provides interventions across the pediatric age span for application in the clinical arena. Families must be at the center of assessment and intervention when considering the treatment of childhood obesity. Family relationships and their role in obesity, as well as the role of media and marketing, are examined. New recommendations for the prevention, assessment, and treatment of childhood obesity are addressed, including behavioral counseling to help motivate patients and families to make changes.

Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. A variety of factors, including family eating habits, biological issues related to weight regulation, and sociocultural and environmental influences all contribute to the condition. Obesity negatively affects both physical and mental health and can significantly reduce quality of life. This course provides nurses with a comprehensive overview of the scope and effects of childhood obesity. Assessments for obesity, resulting pathologic conditions, and evidence-based approaches to combat obesity are reviewed. Challenges faced by clinicians when promoting prevention strategies are also discussed.

Evidence indicates that many risk factors of childhood obesity can be identified during the period of conception to 2 years of age. It is critical that nurses working with children and families understand the nutritional needs of children in each developmental stage to positively affect prevention efforts and promote healthy eating patterns early in life. This course reviews factors from the prenatal period through late adolescence that contribute to obesity and challenges faced when promoting healthy nutrition with each age group. Food choices, modeling behaviors and socio-cultural and environmental influences are discussed. Evidence-based treatment approaches are presented.

Sleep difficulties can occur in up to 50% of all children in the Unites States. Yet only 5% of children in a national chart review received a treatment recommendation for a sleep disorder and children with a sleep disorder had significantly more sick visits/calls than those who did not have a sleep problem. Sleep disturbances and issues have been shown to be correlated with obesity, behavioral problems in school and other somatic issues. This course will provide the essential pathophysiology, symptoms, diagnostic procedures and treatment modalities for common sleep disorders which effect the pediatric population. It is geared toward all nurses regardless of level of education and/or practice.

The content of the course focuses on the most commonly misused addictive drugs. Twelve types of substances are described, including their biochemistry and effects on the human body. The process of assessing and screening for these twelve substances is reviewed. Prevention practices and therapeutic modalities are also described.

Effective communication fosters the development of successful patient-provider relationships, which have a positive impact on patient outcomes and satisfaction. This course discusses the fundamentals of communication science and its specific relevance in nursing practice. It explores impediments to effective communication in healthcare settings, including the cultural, environmental, and organizational barriers to communication that can contribute and disrupt valuable interactions for healing. The course presents nurses with evidence-based strategies to improve the effectiveness of their communication with patients, families and colleagues.

The role of the registered nurse and the advanced practice nurse in the care of persons with dementia is incorporated throughout the course. In addition to providing information that brings new knowledge to both the experienced and less experienced nurse, the course reinforces key concepts of how to care for the person with AD and other dementias. This knowledge, in turn, will ensure that the care delivered to this group of society’s vulnerable older adults is evidence-based, patient-centered, and individually tailored to meet their changing needs, while optimizing care, maintaining quality of life, and when possible improving health outcomes.

A significant number of Americans are rediscovering their culture’s traditional ways of healing while learning about dietary supplements and complementary therapies from their neighbors, communities, the media, and their practitioners. Many are adopting integrative health practices to improve their health and wellbeing. Nurses have a centuries-old heritage of leading communities in the discovery of safe and effective means of incorporating traditional healing practices, such as herbal remedies, used in self-care and patient-care with emerging biomedical and technology-based modalities and practices. More acute and critical care nurses have reported that they also use various forms of complementary therapies in their own self-care to “decrease stress and enhance health and well-being.” This course will provide nurses with an overview of dietary supplements and complementary therapies so that they can mindfully participate with their patients in decision making and continue nursing’s heritage of demonstrating the art of integrative nursing.

Nursing documentation is a critical component of nursing, for all levels of nursing practice. Documentation allows nurses to account for the care which is provided by bringing together the available facts about nursing diagnoses, interventions, outcomes, and standards of care. This course explores the underlying purposes of documentation, professional and regulatory requirements, and processes and best practices for adequate documentation

Provides an overview of both normal sinus rhythm and dysrhythmias. Treatment methods discussed include defibrillators and pacemakers. The course begins with the normal electrical conduction of the heart, and then reviews the steps of how to interpret electrocardiography (ECG). You will learn how to determine the heart rhythm and heart rate. Special considerations associated with Acute Coronary Syndrome are featured. Today, ECG interpretation is a skill necessary for nurses in a variety of clinical settings. The ability for nurses to quickly and accurately identify dysrhythmias is vital to assure prompt interventions and life-saving measures when necessary. Case Studies help connect content with practice.

Echinacea is a plant in the Asteraceae or daisy family (Figure 1) commonly known as coneflower. Three species of Echinacea are used medicinally and are used in dietary supplements. Garlic has been used to protect against plague, jaundice, convulsions, hemorrhoids, and melancholy (Culpeper, 1990). The bulb is always chopped or pounded and then taken in food or honey or made into a syrup. Garlic juice boiled in milk was drunk to expel intestinal worms (Grieve, 1971). Early American Eclectic physicians placed poultices of garlic cloves along the spine and on the chest of infants suffering from pneumonia and drops of garlic-infused olive oil in the ears for earache and deafness (Felter and Lloyd, 1983). It was also used during World War I and World War II to prevent gangrene (Block, 1985). In Traditional Chinese Medicine, garlic bulbs with purple skins are thought to demonstrate the most effective action against microbes and amoebic infection (Bensky and Gamble, 1993).This course will discuss the uses, effectiveness, and safety of Echinacea and garlic.

This course contains essential information for nurses who work with seriously ill and dying patients and their families. By understanding the role of palliative and hospice care, nurses can provide the best quality of care at the end of life, while remaining respectful of patients and putting their wishes first. Content on advance care planning helps nurses become better communicators with patients and fosters a better understanding of the different settings and eligibility requirements for palliative and hospice care. Misconceptions and barriers to providing end-of-life care are also discussed.

In recent years, the United States population has faced a number of mass traumatic attacks, prompting a reevaluation of the trauma system. This course provides nurses working in the trauma care continuum with current evidence-based practice in the initial assessment, interventions, and evaluation of the trauma patient. Concepts of trauma systems, triage, trauma to specific anatomic regions, psychosocial aspects of trauma care, and care of the recovering trauma patient are discussed. An organized approach and strong fundamental skills are essential to critically affect outcomes of injured patients.

By the year 2040, approximately one in five U.S. residents will be age 65 or older. Nurses are increasingly called upon to care for older adults and address their complex health issues. This course highlights the ethical issues that older adults and their families face as these individuals near the end of life, particularly in light of advances in medical technologies. The course presents the ethical frameworks and principles used to resolve ethical problems, identifies major ethical issues nurses face as their older adult patients make healthcare decisions, and provides a model for addressing ethical dilemmas in healthcare settings.

The purpose of this course is to provide nurses with evidence-based information on fibromyalgia. This course will cover the etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical manifestations of fibromyalgia and diagnostic studies, nursing diagnoses, interventions, and interprofessional care options that can be used for women with fibromyalgia. After completing this course, nurses will be further educated on how to provide compassionate care and validate the experiences the woman with fibromyalgia is having in both the inpatient and outpatient areas

In 21st century health care, increased emphasis focuses on wellness and disease prevention, a central theme of integrative care. Integrative health care encompasses conventional and nontraditional health approaches in a coordinated way. All healthcare professionals should have an understanding of integrative health, its elements, and those products and practices that have been shown to be effective therapeutic measures. More than 30% of U.S. adults and about 12% of children report use of healthcare approaches developed outside of conventional, or Western, medicine in the most recent comprehensive survey on the use of nonmainstream health approaches in the United States. These measures can be “complementary” or “alternative” in nature.

This course is intended for nurses and other health care professionals who work with older adults in a variety of settings, including the community, acute care, psychiatric care, long term care and at various points in transitions of care. The purpose of this course is to provide nurses with a solid foundation of assessments for older adults across the healthcare continuum and in the context of health, wellness, and chronic illness. Assessments covered are inclusive of the following domains for the older adult: emotional, physical, cognitive, social, spiritual, economic, family dynamics, caregiving, and safety all impacting their quality of life. Areas of focus in this course also include geriatric syndromes, such as cognitive impairment, delirium, incontinence, malnutrition, falls, gait disorders, pressure ulcers, sleep disorders, sensory deficits, fatigue, and dizziness. These conditions are common in older adults, and they may have a major impact on quality of life and disability.

When nurses are knowledgeable about gingko supplements they can assist patients in the appropriate use of these products to achieve better health. However, the first step is to get to know the plant and its history. Medicinal plants in common use typically have multiple uses, and the people who know those plants and their uses have many stories to tell their nurses. The second step in providing care is to create and maintain a therapeutic relationship with patients and the public, who through their stories of use over time, can help build the knowledge base for safe and effective use of medicinal plants. This course will explain how nurses can incorporate multiple forms of evidence in the care of patients who are considering ginkgo for self-care.

Ginseng is a perennial herb of the Araliaceae family. Ninety-nine percent of the world market of ginseng is produced by four counties: Korea, China, Canada, and the United States (Foster, 2016). The most common types are Panax ginseng (Chinese, Korean, or Asian ginseng) and Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng). This course will review the background and history of ginseng, common uses, and nursing considerations.

The four supplements highlighted in the course are among the most popular in the United States, according to the 2012 National Health Interview Survey. The combination of glucosamine and chondroitin was the second-most popular dietary supplement choice for consumers. Coenzyme Q10 was number four in 2012, an increase from 2007 when it was not on the top 10 supplements list. Cranberry was the seventh-most popular supplement in 2012, maintaining its place among the top 10 supplements. Melatonin moved into the top 10 dietary supplements in 2012. It was ranked at number four behind fish oil, glucosamine/chondroitin, and probiotics. Each of these supplements is discussed individually.

The course assists nurses in providing care for older adult women. It is designed for nurses who wish to review, enhance, or expand their knowledge base and level of understanding of healthcare issues for older adult women. This educational offering is intended to provide information that serves as either a comprehensive review or an enhancement to the nurse’s present knowledge base of Women’s health.

Holistic and integrative nursing care is based upon holism and may include natural products, mind and body practices, and aspects of traditional healing systems. A holistic approach towards physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual care defines how that nursing care is applied and not simply what is done to a patient. The five elements of practice defined as vital – energy, fire, air, water, earth and ether – have endured for centuries and provide a structural focus for sickroom management, creating healing environments, and the nursing care of whole patients. Nurses are guided through the application of these elements to practice using various healing modalities.

Healthcare providers are on the front lines of recognizing signs of trafficking and advocating for their patients. This course provides an overview of human trafficking, including the types of trafficking, and who may be at a high risk of becoming trafficked. Learners will be able to identify potential trafficked persons using clinical signs and screening tools, describe components and how to implement trauma-informed care, and review appropriate national organizations and local resources when intervening in human trafficking cases. The course provides insights into the facts surrounding human trafficking and relevant health risks for the trafficked person. The elements of human trafficking are reviewed; these include the act, the means and the purpose. Nurses will be not only be able to identify warning signs of human trafficking in a health care setting, but also how to report these victims. An audio book is available for this course.

This continuing education course examines the holistic effects of humor on the health of individuals. This course provides foundational information on humor theories and discusses the effects of humor and laughter on disease outcomes. How humor may impact immune function is also considered. Suggestions of ways to add humor as an individual or as a facility are offered.

The target population for this course is any healthcare provider who works with patients, and any healthcare provider who wants to improve his or her knowledge of therapeutic humor.

This continuing education program will examine the holistic effects of humor on the health of individuals. This course will look at the difference between humor and laughter, the development of humor studies, and how humor affects the biological, psychological, and sociological health of individual. The last part of this text will discuss ways in which healthcare providers can incorporate humor into care of individuals and their families. Evidenced-based practice is an important element in health care today. To support the suggestions regarding humor in practice, this text offers discussion of different studies pointing out the efficacy of humor in health care. The study results can be used as evidence to encourage others to incorporate humor into their plan of care. Suggestions for different methods of adding humor as an individual or as a facility are offered.

Although humor may be inappropriate with some patients who have psychiatric issues, with others it might be effective, appropriate, and helpful toward recovery. In exploring the use of humor in psychiatric settings, this course discusses the effects of pathology on humor and reflects on the use of humor, including ways to use humor for diagnosis and treatment. Appropriate and inappropriate responses and appropriate and inappropriate types of humor are discussed. Evidence on which to base practice recommendations for the use of humor in a psychiatric setting is reviewed.

Infusion therapy is administered across all healthcare settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient settings, physician offices, and the home. Because infusion therapy is such a common practice, nurses may underestimate its potential risks and complications. This course is appropriate for nurses who administer infusion therapy in any healthcare setting. The course discusses selection of the most appropriate vascular access device (VAD) for the patient, potential complications with an emphasis on identification of signs and symptoms, preventative interventions, and interventions to take in the event of occurrence, as well as safe infusion administration. The course is designed for both newer and experienced nurses. The newer or less-experienced nurse who takes this course will gain information needed to become knowledgeable and confident in providing infusion therapy-related care, whereas the experienced nurse will find opportunities to review the basics and grow in understanding the professional implications of practicing infusion therapy.

The first 24 hours of a newborn’s life is a critical high-risk period of both morbidity and mortality, and nurses working in the delivery setting must be prepared to engage in a skillful newborn assessment for each and every newborn they encounter to ensure the best patient outcome. This course provides current evidence-based recommendations on how to perform an initial assessment of the newborn.

This course presents an overview of intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault (SA) issues that nurses in a variety of settings may encounter. Types of IPV and SA and risk factors are described. Health consequences are addressed as well as its effects at various life stages from children to older adults. Screening and assessment strategies are reviewed, including working with special populations, such as immigrants, pregnant women, the LGBTQI community, and perpetrators. On a very practical level, the course discusses legal issues, reporting requirements, and necessary documentation when working with victims of IPV or SA.

The purpose of this course is to increase nurses’ (including certified case manager nurses) awareness of potential legal issues and how to use best practices to prevent them. As nurses become more aware of situations that may present legal concerns, they can behave proactively to avoid unanticipated legal entanglements. This course is targeted to all nurses, because legal concerns are present in every healthcare setting.

This course contains essential information that nurses can use to help individuals, families, and communities cope with loss, grief, and bereavement, or reflect on issues and practices related to death. The course reviews the role of palliative and hospice care in providing the highest quality end of life care. Content on advance care planning helps nurses become better communicators with patients, and fosters a better understanding of ethical issues surrounding end-of-life care. Updated content on religious beliefs, grief reactions to loss, suicide care, and communities responding to homicide or other traumatic death is also presented. The course examines the mourning process, including grief in children and adolescents, and the experiences of those suffering from compassion fatigue or vicarious trauma. Bereavement policies to manage grief in the workplace are also covered.

Asthma is the most common potentially serious medical condition to complicate pregnancy. Asthma affects approximately 8% of women in their childbearing years. Uncontrolled asthma can cause serious complications to the mother, including high blood pressure, toxemia, premature delivery, and rarely death. For the baby, complications of uncontrolled asthma include increased risk for stillbirth, fetal growth retardation, premature birth, low birth weight, and a low Apgar score at birth. Fortunately, asthma can be controlled with medical management and avoidance of known triggers. Most measures used to control asthma are not harmful to the developing fetus and do not appear to contribute to either miscarriage or birth defects. This course will discuss how the changes that occur during pregnancy can impact asthma management.

To prevent the avoidable adverse events of asthma exacerbations, leading to work and school days missed, emergency room visits and hospitalizations, health care providers need to be able to assist the patient with asthma self-management. The purpose of this course is to discuss unique features of asthma and asthma management in adults, particularly, the older adult.

The basic pathology of asthma is the same in children as in adults, but there are important differences in anatomy, physiology, and drug metabolism as well as developmental and psychosocial characteristics that warrant an examination of asthma from a pediatric perspective. A discussion of natural history sets the stage for comprehending the presentation of asthma at different ages. Variations in care are discussed from a developmental and family perspective. It is essential for the healthcare professional to apply developmental and family concepts in the care of children with asthma and their families. This course will discuss the application of asthma management in childhood, from infancy through adolescence.

The emerging climate of medical marijuana now calls for healthcare professionals to be knowledgeable of the plant and its inherent characteristics. State regulatory challenges differ and in order to guide patients who often have questions related to the risk/benefits of this plant, nurses need to understand the different extractions and their properties. The course highlights the botanical perspective and strives to teach nurses about the plant and its origin in healthcare. This information is foundational in better understanding the medical applications of cannabis.

This course provides learners with an overview of common pediatric mental health issues, including descriptions of the signs and symptoms for particular conditions, indicators of a psychiatric emergency, and appropriate treatment interventions for each case presented. Early diagnosis and intervention can critically affect positive outcomes of pediatric mental health disorders, making the accurate and comprehensive assessment of the pediatric patient’s mental health a crucial component of each pediatric examination.

This course will provide registered nurses and advanced practice nurses with the knowledge needed to successfully administer moderate sedation to patients. Sedation is delivered by a variety of health care providers in various practice settings and has historically been performed by an anesthesia care provider such as an anesthesiologist, certified registered nurse anesthetist, or, more recently, an anesthesia assistant who is supervised by an anesthesiologist. The evolution of varied practice settings, such as ambulatory surgery centers, coupled with more effective and efficient medication options, has resulted in a need for the provision of moderate sedation by non-anesthesia providers, such as registered nurses.

The purpose of this course is to provide the learner with current knowledge about nonopioid treatment modalities for pain. The learner will be able to discuss the pharmacologic options for the management of pain and the role of nurses in caring for patients receiving nonopioid analgesics. The learner will also be able to discuss adjuvant analgesics and the nursing role in caring for persons receiving these medications. Lastly, the learner will be able to explain the role of interventional pain therapies in acute and chronic pain, the difference between sympathetic and nonsympathetic nerve blocks, and nursing interventions for patients receiving nerve blocks.

The purpose of this course is to provide the learner with current knowledge about nonpharmacologic treatment modalities of acute and chronic pain. This knowledge will include nonpharmacologic physical and cognitive behavioral modalities for pain management and indications for these therapies. With this knowledge, the nurse learner will be able to both educate patients about pain and advocate for safe and effective nonpharmacologic pain treatment based upon scientific evidence.

This course reviews many of the major concepts in nursing care when women are diagnosed with malignancies. The major nonreproductive organ cancers that affect women are addressed, including lung, colorectal, and skin cancers. Information about each of these cancers includes an overview of the epidemiology of the cancer, risk factors, risk assessment, prevention and detection strategies, diagnosis, staging, and treatment modalities.

The NCCIH as well as the World Health Organization Traditional Medicine program have played central roles in the generation and dissemination of up-to-date information and resources about clinical research and traditional evidence related to dietary supplements (World Health Organization, 2014). This course on dietary supplements positions Registered Nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, who work in ambulatory centers, private practice, pharmacies, hospitals and community health facilities, to develop practice guidelines and patient education materials about dietary supplements and to better participate in shared-decision making with people who are choosing dietary supplements for use in self-care.

This course describes the scope of prescription medication misuse in the United States, the pharmacology of commonly abused medications and potential indicators of prescription medication abuse. This course provides intervention, treatment, and prevention strategies nurses can use when prescribing medications or treating a patient that is misusing a controlled substance.

Nurses who are involved in the health care of perimenopausal women need to stay current in the treatment of the problematic side effects of menopause, lifestyle modifications that might be necessary throughout the stages of menopause, and patient education that can help improve a Woman’s overall quality of life. The purpose of this course is to help the nurse take an individual approach to assisting women who are progressing through menopause and provide nursing care based on the most up-to-date standards and guidelines in order to help women make appropriate lifestyle choices.

A Woman’s health is affected by biological, social, economic, and psychological influences. It is imperative that the nurse assess these factors when these women presents for care. Additionally, the nurse should stay current with screening techniques for early detection of as well as treatment options for common diseases in postmenopausal women. This course is intended for nurses involved in the health care of postmenopausal women. The purpose of this course is to help the nurse caring for women at postmenopause recognize the most up-to-date standards and guidelines in order to help postmenopausal women make appropriate lifestyle choices.

This course is designed as a review of mental health and psychiatric conditions that nurses working in any general practice or nonpsychiatric specialty practice area may encounter. It provides information on common mental health conditions encountered and possible nursing interventions that can help patients cope with their unique situations.

This course discusses the importance of establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal communication with patients and the challenges of recognizing and assessing patients with mental health conditions. Specific mental health conditions addressed include anxiety, depressive and bipolar disorders, suicidal ideation, psychosis, substance use disorders, PTSD, eating disorders, potentially aggressive behavior, and confusion.

Asthma and obesity, together and separately, are public health conditions with increasing prevalence. Their exact relationship, however, is not clear: Does asthma lead to obesity? Does obesity lead to asthma? Numerous studies have linked these two disorders, specifically showing that obesity is a risk factor for asthma. This course will provide an overview of how research demonstrates that the higher an individual’s body mass index (BMI), the higher the risk for developing asthma. Studies also show that as the weight or obesity of the person increases, so does the severity of his or her asthma. Then there are other studies that have shown that children with asthma are more likely to become obese. Regardless, asthma associated with – obesity often is more difficult to control and less likely to respond to traditional asthma therapy.

Sleep disorders affect an estimated 50 to 70 million people each year. Approximately 48% report snoring, 38% experience nodding off or falling asleep at the wheel, and 30% report some sort of insomnia. Twenty-five million adults are diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), making restful, restorative sleep difficult (ASA, n.d.).

The purpose of this course is to provide the learner with current knowledge about substance use disorders and the management of pain with opioids. Upon completing of this course, the learner will be able to describe the measures used to predict risk for substance use disorders in patients as well as the mechanism of action of opioids and their safe use for the management of mild to severe and acute chronic pain. With this knowledge, the nurse learner will be able to both educate patients about pain and advocate for safe and effective pain treatment based upon current, scientific evidence.

The current crisis with opioid addiction has made it imperative that all healthcare providers have the knowledge and expertise to monitor patients for signs and symptoms of addiction, and be able deal effectively with addiction. This course provides nurses with a clear understanding of the mechanisms behind pain and addiction and how, without careful monitoring and timely intervention, pain treatment can lead to addiction. After completing this course, nurses will recognize the factors that intertwine pain management with addiction and be able to apply this knowledge to their relevant practice settings.

The purpose of this course is to provide the learner with current knowledge about pain and nursing care for persons experiencing pain. The learner will be able to describe pain assessment for patients across the lifespan and will be able to identify evidence-based assessment for patients whose cognitive impairment, age, or level of consciousness makes them incapable of reporting their pain. The learner will demonstrate an understanding of the pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment of acute and chronic pain. With this knowledge, the learner will be able to both educate patients and advocate for effective pain treatment.

The purpose of this course is to provide the learner with the knowledge necessary to assess and implement interventions for children with suspected or diagnosed Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma (PAHT) and their families. By recognizing predisposing factors and identifying persons at risk for perpetrating PAHT, healthcare professionals can be instrumental in initiating needed preventative education. This course is appropriate for healthcare professionals who work with children or their families. Additionally, this course meets Kentucky’s continuing education requirement on pediatric abusive head trauma.

For nurses working in hospitals, placement of a vascular access device for infusion therapy is the most common invasive procedure. Because it is such common practice, nurses may underestimate potential risks and complications that may be serious and even life-threatening. In a survey conducted by the Infusion Nurses Society in relation to peripheral intravenous (IV) catheters, 71% reported having received “on-the-job” training often using a “see one, do one” approach. Although the skill level in placement of devices is important, knowledge related to evidence-based care for the patient often is lacking. When appropriate care is not provided, it potentially affects clinical outcomes. This course is intended for nurses who administer infusion therapy in all healthcare settings. The course addresses potential complications of infusion therapy with an emphasis on risk factors, identification of signs and symptoms, prevention, and interventions for phlebitis, infiltration and extravasation, nerve injuries, infections, thrombosis, and air embolism.

For nurses working in hospitals, placement of a vascular access device for infusion therapy is the most common invasive procedure. Although the skill level in placement of devices is important, knowledge related to evidence-based care for the patient often is lacking. When appropriate care is not provided, it potentially affects clinical outcomes. This course is intended for nurses who administer infusion therapy in all healthcare settings. The course describes different peripheral vascular access devices (VAD), the factors that affect VAD selection and the effects of VAD placement. Selection of a suitable vein site is discussed as well as interventions to decrease pain associated with their insertion. Safety concerns are explained, including issues related to peripheral catheter site rotation, routine site care and protection, flushing and locking, and the risks and benefits of peripheral catheter blood sampling.

Although asthma is a lifelong disease with no cure, it can be controlled. This course focuses on general pharmacologic interventions for managing asthma as recommended by National Asthma Education Prevention Program (NAEPP) released the Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR3): Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma – Full Report 2007 (NHBLI, 2007) and the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines (2017), which are considered the “gold standard” for treating and managing asthma.

This course provides an overview of military culture and common deployment-related health problems and an introduction to evidence-based treatments for these conditions. The course discusses cultural issues that affect treatment with military and veteran patients and those interventions and treatments shown to contribute to the largest and most enduring outcomes for this population. Case examples are used to illustrate concepts, with a particular emphasis on how to adapt and “translate” mental health interventions to better align with military cultural ideals and concepts to increase their effectiveness with military and veteran patients.

This course describes the scope and history of prescription medication misuse in the United States, the pharmacology of commonly abused medications and potential indicators of prescription medication abuse. This course provides intervention, treatment, and prevention strategies nurses can use when prescribing medications or treating a patient that is misusing a controlled substance.

This course focuses on substance misuse as a major public health problem with a wide range of negative effects on the mental, physical, and social well-being of individuals. The overall purpose of this course is the focus on substance misuse prevention, assessment, and treatment strategies. These include: nursing care for patients with various substance use disorders, the description of prevention practices, and patient assessment are also detailed.

Probiotic use quadrupled between the 2007 and the 2012 NHIS (Black et al., 2015). The 2012 NHIS found that approximately 4 million (1.6%) U.S. adults and 300,000 children ages 4 to 17 (0.5%) had used probiotics or prebiotics (Black et al., 2015; Clarke et al., 2015). Probiotics or prebiotics were the third most commonly used dietary supplement by adults, not including vitamins and minerals. Many uses have been proposed for probiotics. Nurses who are knowledgeable can assist consumers in evaluating the resources, information, and scientific literature on probiotics to make choices with regard to their use, dose, adverse effects, interactions, and product quality.

This course examines psychiatric disorders in primary care nursing using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. (DSM-5), (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Substance use and depressive disorders are covered, with attention placed on the more commonly encountered diagnoses. Practical applications are emphasized. In most chapters, a case study will be presented that will include study questions. The reader will also be provided with a sample “Nursing Plan of Care,”. Chapter objectives and pretest and posttest questions are also included.

Teaches psychiatric disorders, treatment modalities, therapeutic communication skills, medications, and cultural variances in how mental illness is perceived and treated in adults and children. Designed for the practicing registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical or vocational nurse (LPN or LVN), this course educates nurses by updating their mental health skills and knowledge of current psychiatric treatments. Also examines broad categories of psychiatric disorders reflective of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. (DSM-5).

Patients with a medical condition may display psychiatric symptoms or responses, and sometimes longer lasting mental health problems. All nurses practicing in a general healthcare setting must be prepared to assist patients with maintaining optimal mental health. This course is focused on those psychiatric and mental health issues related to a chronic medical condition that nurses working in a general or non-psychiatric nursing specialty area may encounter.

This course is designed to enhance the skills required by those nurses without specific mental health training caring for patients with psychiatric and mental health issues in general practice settings. By taking this course, psychiatric nurses may also receive new insight into the general medical patient with a related mental health issue or problem.

This course will provide nurses with the resources, caveats, and caring considerations when providing education and advice about dietary supplements. Evidence-based care in nursing includes clinical research, qualitative studies, traditional evidence, surveys, epidemiologic data, and patient preference. The regulation around dietary supplements has been created to ensure the safety of the public. But this is not always an easy task in a democratic society in which people demand their right to choose how they live their lives. The history of the regulation of dietary supplements documents the complexity of the exercise of the individual rights of U.S. citizens and the government’s role in protecting public health and safety. This course is an introduction to the regulation of dietary supplements, the laws currently in effect, and how the FDA administers these laws. This course about the regulation or safety orientation of dietary supplements also provides considerations for nursing care that can be used when counseling patients who are consumers of dietary supplements.

The experience of a woman diagnosed with cancer can be distinctive. Many cancers affect both males and females, but some are unique to women and impact women during childbearing years. The impact of a cancer diagnosis for either a man or a woman can be devastating and have a cascading impact on the immediate and extended family..

This course reviews many of the major concepts in nursing care when women are diagnosed with malignancies. The major reproductive organ cancers that affect women are addressed, including breast, ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers. Information about each of these cancers includes an overview of the epidemiology of the cancer, risk factors, risk assessment, prevention and detection strategies, diagnosis, staging, and treatment modalities.

The incidence of rotator cuff tears (RCTs) is expected to increase as the population over the age of 65 continues to grow, and will continue to contribute to disability, poor physical function, and increased healthcare costs. The purpose of this course is to educate RNs and APRNs on the anatomy and physiology of the rotator cuff, the pathophysiology of rotator cuff tears, symptoms, assessment, diagnostic testing, nonsurgical and surgical treatment, management and rehabilitation.

Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurologic disorder in the United States, with as many as 3 million people affected. It is a chronic neurologic condition consisting of recurrent and unprovoked seizures that can be associated with a wide range of seizure types and can vary in severity from person to person. Epilepsy is associated with multiple comorbid conditions affecting mental and physical health. Patients with epilepsy (PWEs) experience seizures – a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain that can affect the musculoskeletal system or how a person feels – with varying frequencies. However, experiencing a seizure does not constitute a diagnosis of epilepsy if there is an identifiable and alterable underlying cause, such as low blood sugar. This course will prepare RNs who are providing direct care to patients with a diagnosis of epilepsy. The target audience for the course is comprised of RNs providing care to patients in nonspecialized neurology units in a variety of settings (outpatient, acute care, and community).

The purpose of this course is to provide nurses with an overview of the prevalence and management of skin cancer. This course will enable nurses to better understand skin cancer and the nursing care needs of patients and their families. Topics discussed include an overview of the epidemiology of skin cancer, modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors, risk assessment, prevention strategies, strengths and limitations of detection strategies, diagnosis, staging, and standard treatment modalities, including surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. A case study at the end of the course will help to illustrate the content.

This course focuses on the epidemiology of sociocultural, family, and other external influences on the development of substance use disorders. The overall purpose of this course is to provide nursing professionals with an overview of the epidemiology and prevalence of substance use disorders so that they can offer early intervention and prevention of these disorders.

This course addresses assessment and diagnosis throughout the various life stages, beginning with childhood, then adolescence, and finally young adulthood as a college student. Because nurses rarely see cases of “pure” ADHD, it is imperative that they understand the common comorbidities associated with ADHD and their effect on treatment and outcomes for patients. In addition, nurses will need to be able to use this information to conduct a careful differential diagnosis.

This course focuses on the epidemiology of addiction, sociocultural influences, commonly used substances, and current standards of treatment and nursing care for patients with substance use disorders. Prevention practices, patient assessment, and therapeutic modalities, including pharmacologic, psychological, group, and nontraditional therapies, are described. Twelve types of substances are described, including their biochemistry and effects on the human body. This course uses terminology for substance-related and addictive disorders defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (APA, 2013).

This course focuses on the needs and challenges of individuals who provide care to persons with AD and the important role that nurses play in preparing and supporting these caregivers. The course outlines nursing interventions for providing education, support, and anticipatory guidance to caregivers, including assessing their prospective care needs and identifying and discussing available programs and resources. The options and accompanying issues related to providing ongoing care for patients with AD are discussed, including necessary financial and legal planning and long-term care options.

As the cost of healthcare in the United States continues to rise, changes to healthcare reimbursement have focused on the movement from fee-for-service payment to various reformed payment models. This course provides nurses with a foundation of the elements comprising the business of the healthcare industry, including how care is reimbursed. An overview of the current state of healthcare organizations and healthcare quality is provided as is content related to the cost of care, healthcare reform, care transitions, and consumer engagement. Enhanced awareness of the evolving healthcare industry in the effort to improve patient outcomes is essential for the nurse in any setting.

This continuing education course discusses the cognitive process of laughter and the connections of humor to health. It discusses how humor affects the biological, psychological, and sociological health of the individual. How humor can be used in times of stress or grief is also explored. The target population for this course is any healthcare provider who works with patients, and any healthcare provider who wants to improve his or her knowledge of therapeutic humor.

This course is intended for Registered Nurses involved in the health care of women. The audience for this course includes, but is not limited to, nurses providing care to women in acute care facilities, private practices, public settings, home health environments, community outreach programs, and public arenas. The purpose of this course is to help the nurse take an individual approach to assisting women who are progressing through menopause and provide nursing care based on the most up-to-date standards and guidelines in order to help women make lifestyle choices.

This course discusses the identification, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnostic tools used for all levels of TBI evaluation. Nurses learn the structural and functional relationships of TBI to regions of the brain, prevention of secondary injury during initial phases of care, possible behavioral and cognitive changes associated with TBI, and the interventions needed to minimize sequelae for patients with TBI.

Mindfulness, the practice of maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness, is a holistic way to reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing. This course provides the learner with an overview of mindfulness techniques, the neurobiological underpinnings of how mindfulness works in the brain, and evidence of the effectiveness of mindfulness in different areas of life. It also discusses methods to foster mindfulness and describes how nurses can begin a mindfulness practice for themselves and their patients, including suggestions for guided sessions.

This course provides an overview of PTSD for nurses working in a variety of roles and settings. This course addresses the history, incidence, etiology, and risk factors for PTSD, identifies diagnostic criteria across all age groups. Screening and assessment for PTSD are discussed as well as the disorder’s major clinical signs and symptoms. Special considerations for assessing and diagnosing PTSD for specific populations are presented and therapeutic approaches for treating and managing PTSD are discussed.

This course to assists nurses in providing care for women of all ages. Because the focus of this course is Women’s contemporary reproductive health issues, nursing care for patients who are pregnant is not included. Instead, this educational offering is intended to provide information that serves as an enhancement to the nurse’s present knowledge base of Women’s reproductive health. Topics covered in this course include birth control methods, preconception care issues and infertility, and common sexually transmitted infections.

This course provides a history of the science and practice of yoga and the many physical and mental health benefits for nurses and patients. Yoga helps promote mind-body-spirit health and through consistent practice the benefits accrued are numerous. It is important to learn and practice yoga postures, proper breathing and meditation to help promote a balance of all three. People will join yoga classes with different objectives and it is important for nurses to be aware of local resources to guide patients. Various types of yoga will be discussed along with the importance of the role of a yoga teacher for safe practice.