16 Hours Pharmacology CME for Clinical Nurse Practitioners - Recorded Live for the Veterans Administration

Topic 1: GI Pharmacology Update - Dr. Buch - 4 Hours

Assessing Abdominal Pain: A Practical Review:

• Define the appropriate workup for several interactive cases of acute abdominal pain.

• Illustrate the pitfalls in making a diagnosis.

Clinical Dilemmas in GI Bleeding:

• Describe the limitations of colonoscopy.

• Recognize the importance of “Alarm Symptoms”.

• Describe advanced endoscopic techniques that are used to evaluate GI bleeding.

• Recognize the safe use of anti-platelet and anticoagulation medications post GI bleeding.

Colon Cancer Evaluation and Prevention: What’s New?

• State the best practices that lead to colon cancer prevention.

• Review types of polyps and their consequences.

• Review the pitfalls of colonoscopy screening.

• .Show reasonable alternatives to colonoscopy.

Peptic Ulcer Disease and Helicobacter Highlights:

• Identify the importance of risk factors in the development of UGI bleeding.

• Select appropriate candidates for long term PPI therapy.

• Review noninvasive ways of making a H pylori diagnosis.

• Manage antibiotic therapy for Helicobacter 2024.

Topic 2: An Evidence-Based Approach to Treating T2D in Adults - Dr. Weart - 2 Hours

• Describe the 2024 American Diabetes Association Standards of Care for Patients with Diabetes and the evidence on which they are based.

• Apply the results of landmark diabetes trials that established improved glycemic control reduces the risk of diabetes-related complications in patients with T2D

• Apply the evolving paradigm by which the treatment of T2D (A1C reduction) has shifted to an outcome-based approach focused on risk reduction, particularly in older patients with established CVD, HF, CKD and/or Obesity.

Topic 3: Chronic Kidney Disease Pharmacotherapy - Dr. Vondracek - 2 Hours

• Discuss the mechanisms of action, role and pros/cons of SGLT2-inhibitors, GLP-1 inhibitors and finerenone in the prevention of CKD progression.

• Describe the mechanisms of action, role and pros/cons of therapies for the management of hyperkalemia in patients with CKD.

• Choose appropriate therapy for the management of hyperkalemia in a patient with CKD.

• Describe the mechanisms of action, role, and pros/cons of therapies for the management of anemia in patients with CKD.

• Initiate appropriate iron and ESA therapy in a patient with anemia and CKD.

• Discuss the roles of phosphate, calcium, vitamin D and parathyroid hormone in the development of Chronic Kidney Disease – Mineral and Bone Disorder (CKD-MBD)

• Describe the mechanisms of action, and pros/cons of therapies for the management of CKD-MBD.

• Choose an appropriate therapy for the management of hyperphosphatemia, low vitamin D and secondary hyperparathyroidism in a patient with CKD. 

Topic 4: Treatment of Alzheimer’s, Depression and Adult Onset ADHD/ADD - Dr. Caballero-2 Hours

Alzheimer’s Disease and Depression Treatment

• Explain standard and newer treatment options for cognitive disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease).

• Recognize preferred treatments for managing comorbid psychiatric issues in patients with cognitive disorders.

• Describe how to counsel caregivers and patients regarding treatment options for cognitive disorders.

ADHD

• Identify differences between stimulant medications and formulations.

• Discuss the utility of using non-stimulants in the treatment of adult ADHD.

• Describe comorbidities that may impact treatment in adult ADH.

Topic 5: AHA/ACC/HFSA Guidelines for the Management of Heart Failure, Lipids, and Blood Pressure - Dr. Saseen-2 Hours

• Explain recommendations from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines for treatment of patients with hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and heart failure.

• Identify the optimal use of combination therapy pharmacotherapy for patients with hypertension, including resistant hypertension.

• Describe the similarities and differences in pharmacotherapy for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

• List recommendations from the ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway for nons-statins and treatment of hypertriglyceridemia.

• Discuss new and emerging pharmacotherapy options for patients with dyslipidemia.

• Select treatment plans to treat patients with hypertension, heart failure, and/or dyslipidemia.

Topic 6: Treatment of Anaphylaxis – in Primary Care and Acute Care and Seizures in Acute Care - Dr. Sikora-1 Hour

• Review treatment approach for anaphylaxis.

• Create a treatment plan for the acute management of seizures.

• Identify common adverse effects from common anti-epileptic medications.

Topic 7: Anti-infective Treatment (with Beers criteria) for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), Sinusitis, Pneumonia and Cellulitis-Dr. Bland-2 Hours

• Evaluate methods to improve safety of antimicrobial prescribing in the elderly

• Review antimicrobial therapy recommendations within Beers Criteria

• Examine best antimicrobials practices through case application

Topic 8: Pharmacotherapy for Migraine Headaches including Botox for Headaches and TMJ - Dr. Bland-1 Hour

• Review current older management strategies for migraine headaches.

• Discuss role of newer agents including botulinum toxin.

• Examine best practices through case application.