Author: Melanie Johns Cupp, Pharm.D.

Today, nurses are presented with an astounding range of medications which must be safely administered to the patient. Fortunately, there are many drug information sources available, and certain pharmacologic concepts can be applied to many different drug categories.

Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and drug interactions will be explained including how the various concepts can be applied to common clinical situations. Drug calculations are presented, as well as the history of drug law and acts. Use as a wonderful source for reference with daily prescribing issues.

Course objectives include:

• Recognize the definitions of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
• List three limitations of the PDR.
• List the site of absorption for most drugs.

Author/Editor: Denise Warren, RN, BSN / Shelda L. Hudson, RN, BSN, PHN

Coronary artery disease (CAD) affects millions of Americans every year. This course will help you identify symptoms of CAD, and become well-acquainted with relevant medical exams as well as pharmacological treatment. The goal of this course will also assist you with patient education to help identify risk factors and develop strategies for modifying them. Many CAD risk factors are within the client's control. Now you can help your clients regain control of their health.

Author: Pat Emery, BSN, MS

Your patient has just informed you he is going to die. What is the best response? This course, written from a Christian perspective, will help prepare you for those circumstances. You will learn about the normal and abnormal process related to death and dying and the special roles nurses fill for the terminally ill.

Course objectives include:

• List some of the spiritual needs of dying individuals, their families and significant others.
• Provide some of the normal and abnormal processes related to dying or death.

Authors: Angeline Bushy, PhD, RN, CNS | Shelda L. Hudson, RN, BSN, PHN

Embracing the end of life is creating an atmosphere and purposeful preparation at the end of life that can assist the patient and family through an oftentimes, difficult process. It takes great strength and courage to face death and to begin to move through it to the other side. And it takes courage for survivors to put aside their own fears and anxieties to help their loved ones die a peaceful death. In addition to helping patients let go of this life, nurses can help them put things in order and resolve issues between family and friends. Sometimes the unfinished business is with God. With the deepest respect and attentiveness, we can learn how to nurture peace and spiritual healing in those who are making this final transition.

Course objectives include:

• Define and characterize palliative care.
• State the role of palliative care and symptom management in end of life care.
• Summarize nursing interventions that are useful in managing pain in a person having a terminal condition.
• Define strategies to communicate effectively with client and family about death and dying.
• Outline ways to address the emotional and spiritual concerns of the dying client.
• Define pain and pain tolerance.
• List factors that influence pain perception.

Author: Shelda Hudson, RN, BSN, PHN

Sniff, sneeze, cough, wheeze ... dreaded allergies. Nearly 44 million Americans have some form of allergy. Although experts do not fully understand why some people develop allergies and others don't, they do tend to run in families. This course concentrates on common allergies. It also covers antigen-antibody reactions, sensitization, allergic reactions, preventive measures and an extensive patient education guide. Plus ... much, much more.

Course objectives include:

• Differentiate between atopic dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis.
• Describe how antibodies are formed.
• List the general signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis.

Authors: Shelda L. Hudson, RN, BSN, PHN, Cheryl Duksta, RN, ADN, M.Ed.

Gastrointestinal (GI) emergencies can occur in a variety of situations. The goal of this course is to educate healthcare professionals regarding assessment of the abdomen, treatment methods, and care planning for patients with emergencies of the GI tract.

Authors: Shelda L. Hudson, Kim Marie Falk

This course presents material to educate the healthcare professional about pain: its pathophysiology, influencing factors, assessment techniques, and interventions. It also addresses common misconceptions about pain and pain management.

Authors: Mary Ann Evans, RN, BS, MS | Dr. Carolyn Mikanowicz, RN, PhD | Shelda L. Hudson, RN, BSN, PHN

This course will focus on various types of criticism and techniques used for coping. The information will be applicable to any health professional or supervisor who feels susceptible when criticized. It applies to all areas of practice because criticism is experienced in all levels of the healthcare industry.

Course objectives include:

• Enumerate some of the myths associated with the realities of criticism.
• List three methods to cope positively with criticism.
• Name some of the various types of criticism and techniques used for coping.

Author: Sharon Fish Mooney, RN, MSN, PhD, Shelda L. Hudson, RN, BSN, PHN, Director of Health Information

The goal of this course is to increase awareness of health care professionals regarding the needs of persons with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers, whether at home, in long-term care facilities or hospital settings.

Author/Editor: Diana Harland, BS, CCRC / Cheryl Duksta, RN, ADN, M.Ed.

The goal of this course is to educate healthcare professionals in the fundamental aspects of HAIs, with concentration on the most common HAIs, their associated risk factors, and the measures necessary to prevent and control them.

Shelda L. K. Hudson, RN, BSN, PHN

The goal of this course is designed to give nurses and other healthcare professionals an overview of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) as a major public health problem in the U.S. today. Topics covered include the assessment, treatment, and prevention and patient teaching strategies related to Hepatitis C.

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Outline the prevalence of HCV infection in the United States.
2. Name the primary ways that HCV is transmitted.
3. Recognize current methods for screening and diagnosis of HCV.
4. List clinical indicators of both acute and chronic HCV infection.
5. Name and define primary approaches to management and treatment of HCV.
6. Outline specific prevention strategies for various populations at risk for HCV infection.
7. Enumerate key components of the education process for patients with HCV.
8. Document selected CAM therapies available to treat Hepatitis C & reasons for their use.

Author: Diana Harland, BS, CCRC

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Explain the epidemiology, including incidence and prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the counseling and teaching enviroments.
2. Define AIDS and various signs and symptoms associated with AIDS.
3. List the various types of HIV tests and identify persons recommended by the Centers of Disease Control for HIV screening.
4. Outline mechanisms by which susceptiblity and infectiousness increase with coinfection of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
5. List the recommended and specific ways to avoid transmission of HIV along with risk factors for infection.
6. State the correct procedure for handwashing with either alcohol based rubs or soap and water.
7. List OSHA and CDC requirements relating to HIV and bloodborne pathogens in light of standard, special and recommended precautions.
8. List the recommended strategies for the control of HIV in the environment.
9. Outline the steps to take if accidental occupational exposure to HIV should occur.
10. Define the complexity and multidimensional aspects of HIV Disease.
11. Identify lab testing neccesary for the continuing care of the HIV/AIDS patient
12. Name the various classes of pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS and relate the guidelines for initiation of retroviral therapy.
13. Identify various programs for the support of the HIV/AIDS patient.
14. List some of challenges faced by caregivers in treating HIV/AIDS patients.
15. Relate the legal rights of HIV patients under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
16. Define the laws relating to improper disclosure and confidentiality with regard to the HIV patient.

Author: Caroline McGuire, RN, BSN

If you cannot confidently meet these course objectives you could be asking for trouble. Make certain you know the course objectives' answers below.

Course objectives include:

• List the major factors influencing the trend towards increased litigation among health care providers.
• Describe the elements of negligence necessary to prove a case of negligence exists.
• List the key elements needed for proper documentation on both the medical record and incident reports.

If you can't answer yes to these requirements, you could be walking a tightrope.

This course may be considered challenging, intensive and complex. It is NOT an overview course.

Authors: Kim Cathcart, MS, RN, RRT, Cheryl Duksta, RN, ADN, M.Ed

Hyperglycemia occurs from time to time in all people with diabetes. However, at times, hyperglycemia can lead to acute, life-threatening complications known as hyperglycemic crises. This course is designed to educate healthcare professionals about the emergencies associated with hyperglycemic crises, including causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Authors: Marilyn Hanser, RN, BSN, MA, Shelda L. Hudson, RN, BSN, PHN

The goal of this course is to help the nurse understand and appropriately respond to the major issues confronting the adolescent girl and her family. Emphasis is on normal physiological, cognitive, and psychosocial development, and nursing interventions to address complications to normal development.

Authors: Denise Warren, Shelda L. Hudson

The goal of this course is to provide the healthcare professional with a vast amount of beneficial information regarding eating disorders.

Authors: ilvia Prodan Lange, R.N., M.N. | Shelda L. K. Hudson, RN, BSN, PHN.

Psychiatric emergency? Suicide! Violence! Panic! Be ready for these disturbed and disturbing situations. Fortunately, true psychiatric emergencies do not occur often. When they do, the health team must act to convert a dangerous or life–threatening crisis into problems to be solved.

Healthcare professionals are involved in these situations in the emergency room, general hospital, psychiatric unit and community. Although nothing can take the place of actual clinical experience for one to become more competent and confident in handling psychiatric emergencies, prior preparation can help. Health professionals need an understanding of attitudes and reactions, a body of knowledge, and action approaches in order to meet the challenge of a crisis situation. This course presents general guidelines for addressing and treating the most frequently encountered psychiatric emergencies including suicide, violence, anxiety, and substance abuse.

Author: Diana Harland, BS, CCRC, Editing: Shelda Hudson, RN, BSN, PHN, Director of Healthcare Information

The goal of this course to raise the level of preparedness by educating the healthcare professional in the agents of bioterrorism. Unfortunately, terrorism is not limited to biological hazards; there is also great concern regarding chemical terrorism, as well as radiological, and nuclear terrorism. This course will also briefly cover chemical, radiological and nuclear terrorism so that, should a biological or other hazardous incident occur (be it naturally occurring or intentionally driven), the healthcare worker can be instrumental in knowing how to handle, report, and effectively deal with these potentially deadly agents and situations.

Author/Editor: Shelda L. Hudson, RN, BSN, PHN / Taylor Sophia Skaar, LPC-S

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of ­domestic violence, including identification, screening, and ­referral of persons with a history of being, or at risk of becoming, victims or perpetrators of domestic violence. Basic information on child abuse and elder abuse is also included.

Author: Kimberly Cathcart, RN, RRT, BSN, MSedA

The purpose of this course is to familiarize you with a variety of aspects of COPD, using an integrative approach. Nurses are important facilitators in coordinating treatments and teaching the patient in areas that range from nutrition, breathing exercises, medication usage/adherence, pathophysiology of the disease process, and alternative therapy modalities. You will also briefly learn about the four major diseases involved, including A/P, etiology, and pathogenesis. A review of ABGs, V/Q ratio, clinical features and treatments of COPD will be discussed. The goal is to provide you with optimum, accurate information including a lengthy section of Bonus Information that introduces you to natural methods, home remedies, and nutrient plans to give your patient the opportunity to incorporate complementary therapies along with their medical protocol.

Authors: Dr. Carolyn Mikanowicz, RN, PhD | Shelda L. Hudson, RN, BSN, PHN

The goal of this course is to provide health care professionals with a comprehensive overview of communication strategies that will assist in their daily work and personal environments. Various types and models of communication are discussed as well as practical strategies for improving interpersonal relationships.

AuthorDenise Warren, RN, BSN

The "mysteries" of a woman's body, including menopause, are seen as times of power and growth. The goal of this course is to increase the knowledge and understanding of the physiological changes associated with menopause. Today's well-trained and educated professional can play an instrumental role in helping women make this transition through an ending and a new beginning.