Multidisciplinary Nursing CEU Courses

Body fat is more than just a layer of insulation. Scientists are making surprising discoveries about the effect of body fat on health. The amount of stored fat and its distribution on the body appear to be important indicators of underlying metabolic complications, especially the lipid abnormalities found with metabolic syndrome. Body shape, measured by waist circumference, is a good indication of where people carry their excess fat and whether they are at increased risk for disease. The etiology of disease risk is related to the types and amounts of regulatory substances produced by excess visceral fat. Knowing how these regulatory substances influence our patients' underlying diseases or disorders can give us clues to identify patients with increased risk factors so we can educate them about lifestyle changes.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is attributed to 2 in 10 deaths in people under the age of 65, with coronary artery disease (CAD) being the leading cause of death in the U.S. (CDC, 2022a). It is estimated that 2.2 million people may die from CVD worldwide by 2030 (Patel et al., 2021). While coronary angiography is still considered the gold standard for coronary artery visualization, there are several noninvasive techniques that may also be used. These tests are important in the diagnosis and prognosis of CVD. This includes identifying arrythmias, assessing cardiac structure and function, or identifying the need for more invasive procedures (e.g., percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI]). Knowledge of these tests may be used to help facilitate timely testing and patients’ understanding of such tests to ease their anxiety.

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.

Clinical or major depression is a significant chronic disease worldwide. Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, with approximately 280 million people who suffer from depression and over 700,000 who die from suicide each year (WHO, 2021). This course will focus on depression, particularly on screening, mental health and physical health commodities, and treatment. The goal of this course is to provide nursing in acute care settings with information on identifying and screening for depression, its co-morbidities, and treatments.

Conflict is a part of life that especially exists in high-stress work environments such as healthcare organizations. Conflict should be an expectation in a dynamic organizational environment that, when handled correctly, can be managed to achieve beneficial outcomes. Constructive conflict can be a motivator for change and growth, a medium for airing problems, and a dynamic force to prevent stagnation. Conflict resolution is considered a necessary element in a healthy work environment and requires good communication and leadership skills.

Most bladder cancers occur in people older than 55 years, with 73 being the average age of diagnosis. During the past 20 years, the incidence of bladder cancer (BC) has declined, but men continue to be 3 to 4 times more likely to develop bladder cancer than women. Incidence of BC is diagnosed more often in White people than in Black people or Hispanic Americans (American Cancer Society, 2022).

Effectively communicating with patients and families is the foundation for a therapeutic, safe, and positive patient experience. The patient‘s experience of care is greatly influenced by what is communicated and what the patient and family observe. Communication is also a vital component of obtaining an accurate history and physical assessment, providing informed, comprehensive care, and educating patients and families to achieve optimal outcomes. When healthcare professionals recognize the factors that influence communication and consistently apply effective communication techniques, patient satisfaction, safety, and outcomes improve.

Psoriasis is a chronic disorder of the skin and joints that causes inflammation and scaling. In addition to its physical effects, psoriasis impacts patients socially and psychologically. Approximately 7.5 million adults in the U.S. have psoriasis (Amercian Academy of Dermatology [AAD], n.d.). Healthcare providers (HCPs) should be able to identify psoriasis, properly assess patients diagnosed with psoriasis for disease severity and comorbidities, and treat or refer patients to specialty providers accordingly.