Pulmonary Health Nursing CEU Courses

Telehealth practice began when nursing professionals triaged and provided health care via telephone to patients. As part of the COVID-19 pandemic, health systems, practices, clinicians, and patients were required to limit their in-person visits through video and telephone visits. As a result, the demand for telehealth nursing has grown. However, as more nurses are needed in the field of telehealth, there may be a knowledge deficit regarding how to effectively triage conditions such as upper respiratory infections (URIs).

Cigarette smoking has declined, but tobacco alternatives like electronic cigarettes have gained popularity among adolescents. The use of tobacco in any form has severe health implications during the adolescent development because they are more susceptible to addiction, making them prone to becoming lifelong users of tobacco. Although healthcare providers are uniquely positioned to ask about tobacco use and provide evidence-based treatments, it is not consistently performed at each visit. This course will review how adolescents are more susceptible to the marketing of tobacco products, and the health consequences of nicotine addiction, and will provide techniques for encouraging a tobacco-free lifestyle.

• Analyze case studies to determine key findings, work-up, and management of patients experiencing pulmonary emergencies.
• Discuss the etiology and diagnostics associated with these conditions.
• Review short- and long-term management of emergent pulmonary conditions and considerations for patient care.

Trauma is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S. (CDC, 2019a). Unintentional traumatic injuries and violence claim nearly 200,000 lives per year, with motor vehicle crashes and falls accounting for nearly 78,000 deaths in 2019 (CDC, 2019b). Trauma and violence also account for more than 2.5 million non-fatal injuries annually and are the leading cause of hospitalization, morbidity, and disability in people between the ages of 1 and 55 (CDC, 2019b). Among trauma victims, blunt chest trauma is cited as the primary cause of death in 20% to 25% of cases (CDC, 2019b).

This course has a maximum of 3 exam attempts.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that nearly 34 million adults in the U.S. smoke, and 16 million have a serious illness attributable to their smoking habit. With nearly half a million U.S. deaths attributed to smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke annually, the CDC identifies smoking as the number one cause of preventable disease, disability, and death. This course provides an overview of the need for smoking cessation and components of a successful program. Working as an interprofessional team, helping patients navigate the behavioral stages of smoking cessation, and smoking cessation aids are also discussed.

Hypercoagulability disorder is a highly prevalent clinical condition characterized by abnormal blood coagulation, which leads to thrombosis inside the blood vessels. The most common clinical manifestations are deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE); both are types of venous thromboembolism (VTE). DVT may result from the formation of blood clots in the peripheral vascular bed. PE is a life-threatening condition caused by blockage in major pulmonary vessels that rapidly progresses to cardiogenic shock, circulatory failure, and death. VTE can also occur in other sites, including the veins in the brain, kidneys, liver, mesenteric circulation, arms, and legs. The challenge in managing hypercoagulability disorders is due to the clinical variability of the disease etiology and numerous possible sites of blockage balanced against treatment objectives, outcomes, and cost. 

Understanding a chest X-ray requires basic anatomical knowledge. Before you can interpret a chest X-ray, you must understand some of the technical details about how the image is reproduced. The chest X-ray shows the lungs, heart, and mediastinum. You also can use chest X-rays to assess structures such as the ribs, diaphragm, pleura, and clavicle. Although it is the most common X-ray, the chest X-ray is not a sensitive technique, and findings must be assessed together with patient history and/or physical findings. The only way to become proficient in understanding the chest X-ray is to practice the art regularly.