Katy Vogelaar, FNP-C
The red and pink hearts decorating our homes and stores in February remind us not only of Valentine’s Day but also of Heart Health Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death nationally. To lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, the American Heart Association recommends screenings for risk factors. In 2023, they announced theirnew PREVENT tooldesigned to calculate the risk of heart disease.
The “red eye” is a common presenting symptom in primary care, spanning a spectrum of conditions from benign to sight-threatening emergencies. Knowing how to differentiate these conditions quickly is key to providing safe, effective care.
While winter brings snow, festive holidays, and cozy sweaters, it can also bring dry skin. For patients with atopic dermatitis, or eczema, winter often worsens eczema symptoms due to cold air, indoor heating, and increased exposure to triggers such as stress. To help your patients manage their atopic dermatitis, focus on these three key strategies:
Acute dyspnea, or shortness of breath, is a common symptom ranging from non-emergent to emergent. Even seemingly benign cases can quickly decompensate, making a systematic approach crucial in time-sensitive settings. When facing a patient experiencing acute dyspnea, just remember to "inhale and follow the oxygen."
As nurse practitioners (NPs), prescribing medications is a central part of our daily practice. To maintain high standards of patient care, continuing education in pharmacology is not just recommended but mandatory. However, staying up-to-date with the latest pharmacological guidelines and advancements presents its own set of challenges. Fortunately, new resources like Hippo Education’s Practical Pharmacology: An Outpatient Audio Course are...
We experience a lot of transitions in life: childhood to adulthood, in and out of relationships, change jobs or roles. Transitions can be planned or spontaneous, exciting or terrifying, easy or hard... or a combination of them all!
As we usher in a new year, we find ourselves at the forefront of healthcare, continuously providing vital services and compassionate care to those in need. Amidst the challenges of the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, we must remember that we, too, deserve care and attention – not just for the sake of our well-being but also for the benefit of those we serve. According to an article published by the Journal of General Internal Medicine,...