Roughly 200,000 Americans are diagnosed with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) each year; yet most have no symptoms (Cleveland Clinic, 2021). In the U.S., AAA is the 10th leading cause of death in men after age 55. A person is twice as likely to develop an AAA if a first-degree relative has experienced AAA. Clinicians in community and acute care settings should be aware of the symptoms of AAA and follow screening and surveillance schedules. This course presents an overview of AAA diagnosis and treatment.
Annually, about 795,000 people in the U.S. are affected by stroke, which is the fifth leading cause of mortality and long-term disability (CDC, 2022a). Additionally, ischemic strokes account for about 87% of all strokes (CDC, 2022a). Ischemic strokes are also a high-risk complication of cardiac catheterization. Thus, healthcare professionals (HCPs) should know the steps needed to manage patients undergoing cardiac catheterization, be able to identify early signs and symptoms of ischemic stroke, and know of management options for acute ischemic stroke.
In 2020, suicide was the 12th leading cause of death in the U.S. (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 2022). Inpatient medical units are not designed to manage patients who are at risk for suicide. Further, healthcare professionals working in acute care settings often lack the specialized training to appropriately intervene with patients in serious psychological distress. Patients who die by suicide in hospital settings often have no previously documented psychiatric history.
- Recognize common types of TBIs that result from head trauma.
- Prioritize patient care based on the signs and symptoms of common TBIs.
- List nursing assessments and interventions for the patient with TBI.
- Recognize the important anatomic and pathophysiological components of low back pain.
- Indicate the signs and symptoms that suggest urgent management vs. conservative management is needed.
- Indicate appropriate treatments for different forms of low back pain.
- Explain the basic underlying pathophysiology of pulseless electrical activity and steps of resuscitation for a patient with pulseless electrical activity.
- Identify potential causes, treatments, and post-cardiac arrest care of patients with pulseless electrical activity.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do college courses count as CEUs for nurses?
Yes, college courses can count as CEUs for nurses, but specific conditions must be met. College courses can be accepted if they are relevant to nursing practice and offered by an accredited institution. The nursing licensing board in the state where the nurse practices typically determines the acceptability of these courses.
College courses usually translate into CEUs through contact hours. For instance, one CEU is equivalent to 10 contact hours of participation in an accredited program. This standardized method is used to quantify continuing education activities across different institutions and professions.
It's essential for nurses to verify with their state licensing board to ensure that the specific college courses they plan to take will be recognized as CEUs. Different states may have varying requirements regarding what counts as acceptable continuing education.
How many contact hours are needed to become an RN?
The number of contact hours required to become and remain a Registered Nurse (RN) varies by state and specific licensing boards. Find the CE requirements for your state here: Nurse CE Requirements by State
Conversion and Definition:
Contact hours are a measure of actual time spent in educational activities, where one contact hour typically equals 60 minutes of instruction.
Verification and Compliance:
Many states allow nurses to choose from a variety of educational activities to earn contact hours, including online courses, seminars, and workshops. It's essential to ensure that these courses are accredited and recognized by the state's nursing board.
Are contact hours the same as CEUs?
Contact hours refer to the actual time a nurse spends participating in a structured educational activity. Typically, one contact hour equals 60 minutes of instructional time. Contact hours are often used to measure participation in courses, workshops, seminars, and other educational activities that contribute to professional development in nursing.
CEUs are a standardized unit of measurement used to quantify participation in continuing education programs. One CEU is equivalent to 10 contact hours of participation. CEUs provide a uniform method for recording and reporting continuing education activities across different institutions and professions.
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A free account lets you manage your nurse life in one place. We’ll track your licenses and credentials, remind you when CE is due, and keep your resume and job profile in one place. Search and save jobs, access career resources, take free CE courses, enter monthly giveaways, get exclusive discounts from top brands, and connect with peers in our supportive community.
What is the difference between a membership and a registered user account?
A registered user account on Nurse.com is free and allows you to track your licenses, credentials and CE, store your resume and profile information, plus more.
CE memberships help you meet your continuing education needs and advance your clinical knowledge. The Standard Membership, available for $49.99 per year, gives you access to all online courses 1.5 contact hours or less, a 50% discount on courses over 1.5 contact hours, and a 50% discount on state renewal packages. The Premium Membership, priced at $149.99 per year, includes all the benefits of the Standard Membership plus free access to all state renewal packages, premium courses over 1.5 contact hours, and the Advanced Practice Pharmacology course.
Will all my history remain intact within my profile?
Yes, all your course history and transcripts will remain intact within your profile. This allows you to easily access your continuing education records and certificates anytime you need them.
Who do I contact if I need support?
For support, contact our Support center here or by clicking on the question mark icon in the blue circle in the lower right corner of your screen.
What if I’m not able to complete an entire course?
If you are not able to complete a course you can bookmark your place and return to it later.