Diseases & Conditions

By: Myrna Buiser Schnur, MSN, RN Aug 25 2023

Zidovudine: How Does It Work? It’s been over 60 years since human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was first detected and about 40 years since acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was recognized as a new disease. Yet we still don’t have a cure. Thankfully, dozens...

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By: Myrna B. Schnur, MSN, RN Aug 21 2023

What is the Animal Naming Test? Have you ever heard of the Animal Naming Test (ANT)? To me, it sounds like a game you might play with kids on an elementary school playground! I had never heard the term until I read through the latest Clinical Practice Guideline on the Management...

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By: Myrna B. Schnur, MSN, RN Aug 10 2023

New Drug in the Fight Against Alzheimer's: Lecanemab (Leqembi®) Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects over six million people in the U.S. As a nurse, you will likely receive questions from friends and relatives surrounding AD and its potential treatment options. (Lequembi®) is the latest medication...

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By: Myrna Buiser Schnur, MSN, RN Jul 13 2023

Cephalosporins: How Do They Work? There are hundreds of antimicrobials on the market today used to treat infectious organisms. One commonly prescribed class of antibiotics is cephalosporins, a type of beta-lactam antibiotic, that covers a broad range of organisms (Letourneau, 2022...

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By: Myrna Buiser Schnur, MSN, RN May 15 2023

Methylprednisolone: How Does It Work? You’ve likely administered methylprednisolone at one point in your career as it has a wide range of clinical applications and acts on most of our body systems. Have you ever stopped to think about how it works? Let’s explore the...

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By: Myrna Buiser Schnur, MSN, RN May 5 2023

What Nurses Need to Know about Current Trends in Weight Loss Drugs You’ve likely seen and heard numerous catchy commercials touting the benefits of drugs to treat diabetes. And you may be getting questions from patients, or even from friends and family about the use of these medications for weight loss. As...

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By: Myrna Buiser Schnur, MSN, RN Apr 12 2023

Chlorpheniramine: How Does It Work? Chlorpheniramine is a histamine-1 (H1) antagonist or antihistamine medication used to treat upper respiratory tract conditions. It provides temporary relief of symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes, nose, or throat associated with...

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By: Myrna Buiser Schnur, MSN, RN Mar 20 2023

Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia: How Do They Differ? I’ve had several close family members develop dementia in recent years, and it’s a very difficult and heartbreaking deterioration to witness firsthand. Some received the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease while others didn’t...

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By: Myrna Buiser Schnur, MSN, RN Mar 3 2023

Alkylating Agents: How Do They Work? The National Cancer Institute defines an alkylating agent as a type of drug that is used to treat cancer by interfering with the cell's deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and inhibiting cancer growth. Let's explore the mechanism of action further...

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By: Myrna Buiser Schnur, MSN, RN Feb 16 2023

Detecting Tracheal Deviation Assessment of the trachea is a standard component of any routine physical examination. It involves evaluating the position of the trachea and detecting tracheal deviation from the midline. This is a serious clinical finding and the cause should be...

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By: Myrna Buiser Schnur, MSN, RN Feb 13 2023

Tuning into the Weber and Rinne Hearing Tests Hearing loss can occur at any stage of life for a variety of reasons. For example, short term hearing loss can be caused by a common ear infection, which often resolves with treatment and time, while permanent hearing loss will afflict many of us...

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By: Myrna Buiser Schnur, MSN, RN Feb 6 2023

Pinpointing Ptosis Ptosis, or blepharoptosis, is the drooping of the upper eyelid caused by a congenital or acquired abnormality of the muscles that elevate the eyelid (Lee, 2021). Ptosis can affect normal vision, but more importantly, it may be a sign of a serious...

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By: Myrna Buiser Schnur, MSN, RN Feb 6 2023

Focusing on Abnormal Fundoscopic Findings A fundoscopic exam, also known as ophthalmoscopic or retinal examination, is a test used to screen for eye disorders, injuries, and diseases. Advanced practice nurses working in primary care and emergency departments should develop and sharpen...

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