#372: Recognizing Defense Mechanisms

A pulmonary embolism is a condition in which vessels in the lungs are blocked by a thrombus or other material that has traveled from somewhere else in the body. This is usually a result of a venous thromboembolism, but can also be due to amniotic fluid, air or fat embolus, or tumor material in patients with cancer. A key thing to understand about pulmonary embolism is that the airway is not occluded. In pulmonary embolism, one or more blood vessels are occluded. What this means is that blood coming from the right side of the heart isn’t able to pass freely through the pulmonary vasculature to participate in gas exchange, which negatively affects perfusion. In this episode you’ll learn: Pulmonary embolism pathophysiology Which of your patients are at highest risk for having a PE Common signs and symptoms of PE Priority nursing assessments Tests utilized to evaluate or diagnose PE Treatments for PE, including pharmacological and surgical And more! Hit play on this episode so you can understand how to recognize PE quickly so your patient can have their best chance at recovery. ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Med Surg Solution - Are you looking for a more effective way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics and out-of-this-world study guides.  Straight A Nursing App - Study on-the-go with the Straight A Nursing app! Review more than 5,000 flashcards covering a wide range of subjects including Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Med Surg, Mental Health, Maternal Newborn, and more! Available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. LATTE Method Template - Download the free LATTE Method Template so you can streamline how you study and focus on what a nurse needs to know.  20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students – Learn key strategies that will help you be a successful nursing student with this FREE guide! 💕Did you love this episode? Please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode! ___________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Straight a Nursing is a proud member of the Airwave Media Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into the essentials of nursing care for patients with right-sided heart failure. You’ll learn: The difference between right-sided and left-sided heart failure. Common causes of right ventricular failure. Key nursing assessments and clinical signs to watch for. Diagnostic tests for right-sided heart failure. Evidence-based treatments, including medications and lifestyle modifications. Strategies for effective patient education to promote heart health and symptom management. This is a must-listen for nurses and nursing students looking to strengthen their understanding of the cardiovascular system! ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Study Sesh - Change the way you study with this private podcast that includes dynamic audio formats that help you review and test your recall of important nursing concepts on-the-go. Free yourself from your desk with Study Sesh!  Med Surg Solution - Are you looking for a more effective way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics and out-of-this-world study guides.  Straight A Nursing App - Study on-the-go with the Straight A Nursing app! Review more than 5,000 flashcards covering a wide range of subjects including Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Med Surg, Mental Health, Maternal Newborn, and more! Available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. LATTE Method Template - Download the free LATTE Method Template so you can streamline how you study and focus on what a nurse needs to know.  20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students – Learn key strategies that will help you be a successful nursing student with this FREE guide! 💕Did you love this episode? Please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode! ___________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Straight a Nursing is a proud member of the Airwave Media Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling unsure or timid at the bedside is something every new nurse and nursing student experiences. In this episode, Nurse Mo breaks down how to build courage in those crucial moments—whether it’s advocating for your patients, setting boundaries, or getting comfortable with personal patient care. You’ll gain confidence through practical advice and real-world strategies that will make your time at the bedside more effective and a lot less intimidating. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to get comfortable performing assessments, even when patients are not in the best of moods Tips for advocating for your patients and confidently communicating with other members of the healthcare team Strategies for setting professional boundaries with difficult or overly needy patients How to remain calm in emergency situations by planning ahead and asking for help when needed Listen now to boost your confidence and strengthen your nursing practice! ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article "Courage at the Bedside" and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Crucial Concepts Bootcamp - Start nursing school ahead of the game, or reset after a difficult first semester with my nursing school prep course, Crucial Concepts Bootcamp. Learn key foundation concepts, organization and time management, dosage calculations, and so much more. Straight A Nursing App - Study on-the-go with the Straight A Nursing app! Review more than 5,000 flashcards covering a wide range of subjects including Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Med Surg, Mental Health, Maternal Newborn, and more! Available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Clinical Success Pack - One of the best ways to fast-track your clinical learning is having the right tools. This pack includes report sheets, sheets to help you plan your day, a clinical debrief form, and a patient safety cheat sheet. 💕Did you love this episode? Please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode! ___________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Straight a Nursing is a proud member of the Airwave Media Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this encore episode, I’m reviving a popular topic that is of special interest to nursing students right now…studying for finals! Hit play on this episode to hear my 12 tried-and-true tips for preparing for your final exams.  ___________________ FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Study Sesh - Change the way you study with this private podcast that includes dynamic audio formats that help you review and test your recall of important nursing concepts on-the-go. Free yourself from your desk with Study Sesh!  Med Surg Solution - Are you looking for a more effective way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics and out-of-this-world study guides.  Straight A Nursing App - Study on-the-go with the Straight A Nursing app! Review more than 5,000 flashcards covering a wide range of subjects including Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Med Surg, Mental Health, Maternal Newborn, and more! Available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Fast Pharmacology - Learn pharmacology concepts in 5 minutes or less in this audio based program. Perfect for on-the-go review! 💕Did you love this episode? Please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode! ___________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Straight a Nursing is a proud member of the Airwave Media Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Nurse Mo breaks down the critical information you need to know about myxedema coma, a life-threatening complication of hypothyroidism. Learn how to recognize, assess, and treat this condition using the Straight A Nursing LATTE Method. Tune in to boost your confidence in both exams and clinical practice! Hit play on this episode to learn:  Key symptoms and patient presentation for myxedema coma How to assess and monitor patients, including vital signs and neurological status Critical lab tests and diagnostic evaluations used for diagnosis Treatment options, including thyroid hormone replacement and supportive therapies Essential patient education to prevent myxedema coma and manage hypothyroidism This episode is packed with important info to help you feel more confident when caring for patients with this complicated condition. Don’t miss it! ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article "Myxedema Coma Basics" and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Study Sesh - Change the way you study with this private podcast that includes dynamic audio formats that help you review and test your recall of important nursing concepts on-the-go. Free yourself from your desk with Study Sesh!  Med Surg Solution - Are you looking for a more effective way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics and out-of-this-world study guides.  Straight A Nursing App - Study on-the-go with the Straight A Nursing app! Review more than 5,000 flashcards covering a wide range of subjects including Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Med Surg, Mental Health, Maternal Newborn, and more! Available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. LATTE Method Template - Download the free LATTE Method Template so you can streamline how you study and focus on what a nurse needs to know.  💕Did you love this episode? Please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode! ___________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Straight a Nursing is a proud member of the Airwave Media Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to feel more confident on your exams or when caring for patients with prostate cancer? This episode has everything you need! This episode walks you through the essentials:  Who is most at risk for prostate cancer Key signs and symptoms of the condition Important nursing assessments for a patient with prostate cancer Tests utilized to evaluate or diagnose prostate cancer Prostate cancer treatments Understanding these basics will not only help you ace any exam questions about prostate cancer, but also prepare you to feel more confident in the clinical setting. Go you! ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Study Sesh - Change the way you study with this private podcast that includes dynamic audio formats that help you review and test your recall of important nursing concepts on-the-go. Free yourself from your desk with Study Sesh!  Med Surg Solution - Are you looking for a more effective way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics and out-of-this-world study guides.  Straight A Nursing App - Study on-the-go with the Straight A Nursing app! Review more than 5,000 flashcards covering a wide range of subjects including Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Med Surg, Mental Health, Maternal Newborn, and more! Available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 💕Did you love this episode? Please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode! ___________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Straight a Nursing is a proud member of the Airwave Media Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into one of the key aspects of mental health nursing: recognizing and understanding defense mechanisms. These psychological strategies, often unconscious, help individuals cope with reality and its stresses.  As nurses, it’s crucial to help patients gain self-awareness by identifying when these defense mechanisms are at play, which in turn can improve their understanding of their own behaviors. Recognizing when defense mechanisms are at play can prevent manipulation, foster greater insight, and lead to better outcomes for both nurse and patient. ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article "Defense Mechanisms in Mental Health" and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Study Sesh - Change the way you study with this private podcast that includes dynamic audio formats that help you review and test your recall of important nursing concepts on-the-go. Free yourself from your desk with Study Sesh!  Straight A Nursing App - Study on-the-go with the Straight A Nursing app! Review more than 5,000 flashcards covering a wide range of subjects including Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Med Surg, Mental Health, Maternal Newborn, and more! Available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 💕Did you love this episode? Please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode! ___________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Straight a Nursing is a proud member of the Airwave Media Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode breaks down hypertensive crisis - what it is, how to recognize it, and the steps nurses can take to manage it effectively. You’ll learn the two main types of hypertensive crisis: hypertensive urgency and hypertensive emergency, and get tips on how to assess for signs of organ damage. Key takeaways include: Definition and parameters for hypertensive crisis Tips for getting an accurate blood pressure Factors that can cause a falsely elevated reading Signs of end-organ damage Medications used to treat hypertensive crisis ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Study Sesh - Change the way you study with this private podcast that includes dynamic audio formats that help you review and test your recall of important nursing concepts on-the-go. Free yourself from your desk with Study Sesh!  Med Surg Solution - Are you looking for a more effective way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics and out-of-this-world study guides.  Straight A Nursing App - Study on-the-go with the Straight A Nursing app! Review more than 5,000 flashcards covering a wide range of subjects including Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Med Surg, Mental Health, Maternal Newborn, and more! Available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Pharmacology Success Pack - Want to get a head start on pharmacology? Download the FREE Pharmacology Success Pack.  Fast Pharmacology - Learn pharmacology concepts in 5 minutes or less in this audio based program. Perfect for on-the-go review! 💕Did you love this episode? Please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode! ___________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Straight a Nursing is a proud member of the Airwave Media Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’m swapping podcast episodes this week with Kati Kleber from FreshRN and I could not be more excited about what she is sharing with you! In this mega episode, which aired originally on the FreshRN podcast, Kati shares a bounty of communication tips that you’ll find helpful whether you’re brand new or a seasoned nurse with years of experience at the bedside. This episode includes: How to talk to your nursing colleagues, CNAs, and medical unit receptionists when your urgency level changes or you have challenges working together Learning what everyone on the healthcare team actually wants to know when they need a patient update (PT, OT, ST, Case Management, Social Work, medical team, and more!) Cool vs. not cool ways to handle things  Simple things you can do and say to look and feel more comfortable as the patient’s nurse Tips on delivering tough news and how to be in those big moments while holding it together and being a strong but caring presence for your patient How to engage with your own family and loved ones who might not understand all that you go through at a normal day of work If you love this episode and love hearing from Kati (who is awesome, by the way!), then you’ll probably want to know where to hang out with her online. For ALL of FreshRN’s new nurse content, click here. For a free mini-course on report tips for new nurses (including Kati’s fave report sheet), click here:  For Kati’s free cardiac assessment checklist, click here. For Kati’s most-used medical abbreviations, click here. Learn more about the FreshRN All-Access Pass here Get weekly tips, encouragement, stories from the bedside, and more - just for nursing students and new nurses at: https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshRN Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kati_Kleber Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Fresh_RN/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kati_kleber/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@freshrn Music credit: Keep My Cool by Benj Heard 💕Did you love this episode? Please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode! ___________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Straight a Nursing is a proud member of the Airwave Media Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, we cover four common cases of acute confusion (delirium) in hospitalized patients. While these scenarios provide insight, remember that any confusion should be thoroughly evaluated to find the underlying cause. Phyllis: A 76-year-old post-surgical patient becomes confused after surgery. Learn how medications, missed meals, and beta blockers played a role in this situation. Stanley: An 84-year-old man becomes disoriented after receiving two commonly used medications.  Bob: A 64-year-old COPD patient experiences confusion and has a very restless night. Meredith: A 53-year-old woman arrives at the ED with confusion and signs of a serious infection. Press play on this episode to dive into these scenarios and see common ways confusion occurs in the clinical setting. ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Study Sesh - Change the way you study with this private podcast that includes dynamic audio formats that help you review and test your recall of important nursing concepts on-the-go. Free yourself from your desk with Study Sesh!  Med Surg Solution - Are you looking for a more effective way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics and out-of-this-world study guides.  Crucial Concepts Bootcamp - Start nursing school ahead of the game, or reset after a difficult first semester with my nursing school prep course, Crucial Concepts Bootcamp. Learn key foundation concepts, organization and time management, dosage calculations, and so much more. Straight A Nursing App - Study on-the-go with the Straight A Nursing app! Review more than 5,000 flashcards covering a wide range of subjects including Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Med Surg, Mental Health, Maternal Newborn, and more! Available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Fast Pharmacology - Learn pharmacology concepts in 5 minutes or less in this audio based program. Perfect for on-the-go review! Clinical Success Pack - One of the best ways to fast-track your clinical learning is having the right tools. This pack includes report sheets, sheets to help you plan your day, a clinical debrief form, and a patient safety cheat sheet.  Delirium 101 - Learn more about delirium in episode 160 The Low-down on Hypoglycemia - Dive deeper into hypoglycemia with the Straight A Nursing LATTE Method in episode 191 Sepsis Bundle - Learn the key components of the sepsis bundle in episode 24 💕Did you love this episode? Please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode! ___________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Straight a Nursing is a proud member of the Airwave Media Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices