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Katy Vogelaar, FNP-C
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."
2024 was a banner year for Hippo Education, as we focused on providing resources that cater specifically to the growing number of nurse practitioners (NPs) entering and advancing in clinical practice. With more NPs taking on essential roles in healthcare, Hippo has made a concerted effort to create practical, high-quality content to support their growth and success. Here are our top three highlights from this year:
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...
Halloween – a time filled with costumes, fun, and, for kids, a seemingly endless supply of candy. While it’s an exciting season for children, it can be a challenge for nurse practitioners caring for pediatric patients. The increased sugar intake can lead to heightened risks of cavities and tooth decay. As nurse practitioners, it’s important not only to understand the dental concerns associated with Halloween but also to educate families on...
Fever in children is one of the most – and anxiety-inducing – concerns for parents and caregivers. While many pediatric fevers are harmless, some can signal more serious underlying conditions. A systematic approach to evaluating pediatric fever can help ensure that serious conditions are not overlooked. One effective method is to categorize potential diagnoses into three main buckets: Common Infections, Serious Infections, and ...
It’s summer, and that is officially the season of the weekend warrior. You know who I’m talking about because you see them every week in your clinic. They decided to take on a new gardening project, a strenuous workout or tried water-skiing for the first time in decades, and now, a few days later they come to you with pain in their lower back.
Every June, Men’s Health Month serves as a reminder to focus on men’s health, encouraging early detection and treatment of diseases. It aims to raise awareness about preventable health problems, promote healthy living, and encourage men to seek regular medical advice. In this blog post, we delve into the significance of Men’s Health Month and recommend essential screenings every man should prioritize.
Spring is one of the worst seasons for seasonal allergy sufferers. Patients with seasonal allergies will commonly complain of runny noses, congestion, itchy, watery eyes, and sneezing. However, a chronic cough and sinusitis can also be caused by allergies.
You're in the clinic and about to walk into a room to see a patient with a non-specific chief complaint like dizziness. In your head, you know the dizziness could mean something benign and self-limiting or emergent and life-threatening. You know you learned about the HINTS exam in your training, but now you're questioning if a positive head impulse is good or bad. You're starting to think, "Gosh, do I know anything? Why did these people...
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,...
We’ve all been there; you look at your schedule and see a patient with a chief complaint of “dizziness.” Cue the sense of dread!