171. Rethinking the Path to Diagnosis

On this episode of NP Pulse, we discuss the common causes of misdiagnosis and the red flags NPs can encounter on the road to diagnosing and treating rare diseases. Today’s guests are Stephanie Hosley and Deena Rodney, two NP experts who approach the topic of rare diseases with consideration and care. This podcast is made possible by Alexion.

In this episode of NP Pulse: The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner®️, Drs. Eric Lenze and Megan Morgenthaler will discuss evidence-based treatments for older adults living with treatment-resistant depression using the findings from the Antidepressant Augmentation versus Switch in Treatment-Resistant Geriatric Depression study. Treatment-resistant depression is a form of major depressive disorder that has not responded to at least two antidepressant treatments. Upon successful completion of this podcast, you will be able to: Define treatment-resistant depression in older adults. Describe how to use medication augmentation/switching for treatment-resistant depression. Explain one approach to deprescribing medications for older adults. This episode was developed as part of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners’® (AANP) Clinical Effectiveness Research Initiative, which is funded by a Eugene Washington Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Engagement Award (EADI #35224).  A participation code will be provided at the END of the podcast — make sure to write this code down. Once you have listened to the podcast and have the participation code, return to this activity in the AANP CE Center and follow these steps: Register for this activity. Click on the "Next Steps" button. Enter the participation code that was provided. Complete the activity evaluation. This will award your continuing education (CE) credit and certificate of completion. 0.75 CE, 0.1 RX, will be available through Dec. 31, 2027. Please see below for links to resources that the speakers mentioned in the episode. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Treatment Services Locator for finding local mental health providers and 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline with 24/7 support. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Education material on depression and treatment as well as local and virtual support groups for patients and families. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA): In-person and virtual peer-led support groups fostering connection and encouragement. DBSA also has information on wellness tools and community resources. National Coalition on Mental Health and Aging (NCMHA): Provide access to depression screening tools and caregiver guides. National Council on Aging (NCOA): Offers senior-friendly mental health education and coping strategies.

Supporting a patient who needs medication does not end when they receive their prescription. Many patients struggle with living in pharmacy deserts, have further questions when their local pharmacies are closed or have difficulty remembering when and what medications to take. Family nurse practitioner Hiva Kolondrubetz and Tess Carey — senior pharmacist and clinical advisor at Amazon Pharmacy — are today’s guests on NP Pulse, and they tackle the concerns NPs face when getting their patients to not only receive but also successfully take their prescribed medications. This podcast is made possible by Amazon.

On this compelling episode of NP Pulse: The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner®️, Drs. Jessica Peck and Ashley Hodges reveal shocking trends affecting our children — and address the added risk and pressures young people face with increased exposure to social media. Social media plays a powerful role in shaping adolescent risk-taking, especially as teen brains are still developing and highly sensitive to reward and peer validation. In this final episode of AANP’s adolescent health series, nurse practitioner (NP) experts Peck and Hodges explore how digital environments influence mental, physical and sexual health — and how clinicians and parents can respond. By normalizing developmentally appropriate risk, avoiding fear-based approaches and using strengths-based, motivational interviewing strategies, NPs can help teens navigate social media safely and support healthier decision-making in today’s high-stakes digital world. 1.0 CE Learning Objective Describe the relationship between adolescent neurodevelopment and risk-taking behaviors, including how social media platforms amplify reward sensitivity, peer influence, and impulsive decision-making. Recognize the mental, physical, and sexual health impacts of social media use in adolescents and incorporate routine screening for digital behaviors using evidence-informed frameworks such as HEADSS/SHADES. Implement trauma-informed, strengths-based, and motivational interviewing strategies to engage adolescents and caregivers in developmentally appropriate, nonjudgmental conversations that support healthy social media use and overall adolescent well-being. Learners may claim CE credit for this program through February 28, 2028. A participation code will be provided at the end of the podcast — make sure to write this code down. Once you have listened to the podcast and have the participation code, return to this activity in the AANP CE Center. Click on the "Next Steps" button of the activity and: Enter the participation code that was provided. Complete the posttest. Complete the overall program evaluation. This activity is supported by AANP.

Join endocrinology experts Sara MacLeod and Shannon Idzik as they explore the science and strategy behind effective obesity care, offering practical, evidence-based insights clinicians can apply right away. From navigating treatment options like lifestyle interventions, medications and surgery to fostering stigma-free, patient-centered conversations, this episode delivers real tools for improving outcomes. Whether you’re new to obesity management or looking to enhance your clinical approach, this discussion will inspire confidence and compassion in your practice. Objectives Evaluate clinical trial data providing evidence for the current obesity treatment landscape. Examine the pharmacotherapies for treatment of obesity. Summarize lifestyle factors and behavior change options available for people living with obesity, addressing stigma and bias. Develop a treatment plan for patients living with obesity that addresses their individual comorbidities, clinical risks and personal goals. Learners may claim CE credit for this program through Dec. 31, 2026, by participating in the full multi-module Clinical Advantage: Endocrinology Certificate for Advanced Practice Providers program available here. A participation code will be provided at the end of the podcast — make sure to write this code down. Once you have listened to the podcast and have the participation code, return to this activity in the AANP CE Center. Click on the "Next Steps" button of the activity and: Enter the participation code that was provided. Complete the posttest. Complete the other modules of the Clinical Advantage: Endocrinology Certificate for Advanced Practice Providers program. Complete the overall program evaluation. This activity is supported by independent educational grants from Ascendis Pharma Inc., Novo Nordisk Inc., and Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

On this accredited episode of NP Pulse: The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner®️, join esteemed faculty as they discuss the complex and often misunderstood condition of vasculitis. Explore the diagnostic challenges and strategies to support effective management of this condition to better enhance your practice while serving your patients well. Upon successful completion of this podcast, you will be able to: Differentiate common presentations of vasculitis from more routine primary care conditions. Apply evidence-based clinical reasoning to determine when suspected vasculitis requires referral to a specialist. Develop an appropriate referral plan, including patient communication and necessary diagnostic workup prior to specialty evaluation. A participation code will be provided at the END of the podcast — make sure to write this code down. Once you have listened to the podcast and have the participation code, return to this activity in the AANP CE Center. Click on the "Next Steps" button of the activity and: Enter the participation code that was provided. Complete the activity evaluation. This will award your continuing education (CE) credit and certificate of completion. .97 CE will be available through Dec. 31, 2027. Podcast Resources: https://vasculitisfoundation.org/

The Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults — often shortened to just the “Beers Criteria” — was first introduced in 1991 by the geriatrician Mark Beers to identify medications not recommended for patients over 65. To speak about the history and contents of this list and to share important updates is today’s guest on NP Pulse, acute care nurse practitioner Clarissa Michalak.

On this accredited episode of NP Pulse: The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner®️, expert faculty Drs. Korey Hood and Kathryn Evans-Kreider explore the psychosocial challenges of living with type 1 diabetes, with a focus on how nurse practitioners can support patients experiencing diabetes distress. Faculty discuss practical strategies, such as using brief screening tools, adopting person-first and strengths-based language and tailoring care through shared decision-making. The conversation also highlights the impact of SDOH and the importance of integrating mental health awareness into routine diabetes management. This podcast is part of the Clinical Advantage Bootcamp: Type 1 Diabetes Management Certificate for Nurse Practitioners. Visit the AANP CE Center to view the other modules. A participation code will be provided at the end of the podcast — make sure to write this code down. Once you have listened to the podcast and have the participation code, return to this activity in the AANP CE Center. Click on the "Next Steps" button of the activity and: 1. Enter the participation code that was provided. 2. Complete the posttest. 3. Complete the activity evaluation. This will award your continuing education (CE) credit and certificate of completion. 1.0 CE will be available through Nov. 30, 2027.   Tool link : Diabetes_Billing_and_Coding_Toolkit.pdf   This collaboration between AANP and Danatech, an Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES) initiative, is made possible thanks to grants from Helmsley Charitable Trust, Abbott and Medtronic.

Are you ready to challenge everything you think you know about wound care? Don’t worry — on this episode of NP Pulse, you’ll be guided by the expertise of Laura Swoboda, a translational scientist, family nurse practitioner and wound specialist. Swoboda speaks about the history of wound care, and gives advice as to how everyone in health care can approach wound care armed with confidence and the most up-to-date developments in the specialty.

On this accredited episode of NP Pulse: The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner, hear from experts Kathryn Evans-Kreider and Debbie Hinnen, who will be discussing the latest evidence and practical strategies for using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to improve outcomes, prevent complications and empower patients. NPs will learn how to apply current guidelines and expand CGM access across diverse patient populations. A participation code will be provided at the end of the podcast — make sure to write this code down. Once you have listened to the podcast and have the participation code, return to this activity in the AANP CE Center. Click on the "Next Steps" button of the activity and: Enter the participation code that was provided. Complete the posttest. Complete the activity evaluation. This will award your continuing education (CE) credit and certificate of completion. CE will be available through Oct. 31, 2026. Podcast Resource: ClinicalBrief_TacklingTherapeuticInertia.pdf This activity is supported by an independent medical educational grant from Abbott Diabetes.