Pour the coffee and buckle in—this is Part 2 of our cancer deep dive. If you missed Part 1, we tackled the cell-level chaos: oncogenes (the gas pedal), tumor suppressors (the brakes), caretaker genes (the pit crew), and the full “hallmarks of cancer” bingo card. Now, Poppy and Kae zoom out from the microscope to the big picture, following along with McCance & Huether’s Pathophysiology, 9th Edition (Chapters 12–14).

We start with cancer epidemiology—where genes collide with lifestyle and environment. Tobacco, diet, obesity, alcohol, radiation, infections, and even workplace exposures all get their moment in the spotlight. Spoiler: cancer isn’t just “bad luck DNA.” Then we step into pediatric oncology, where kids are not just small adults: think leukemias, sarcomas, blastomas, and the genetic syndromes that change the game. Finally, we pull threads into the clinical world with paraneoplastic syndromes, cachexia, TNM staging, tumor markers, and multimodal treatments—and put it all into practice with an SBAR handoff.

Expect board-worthy mnemonics, chaos metaphors, and at least one Oprah reference (“you get a cancer, you get a cancer”). By the end, you’ll not only have the exam-ready facts, but also the big-picture nursing lens to connect biology, risk, and bedside practice.

Because cancer isn’t just a diagnosis—it’s a rebellion of cells, environments, and choices. And as nurses, knowing the why makes us better at spotting the what.

Pour the coffee—things are about to get clinical. In this episode, Poppy and Kae tackle one of the most complex and test-heavy topics in pathophysiology: cancer. Not zodiac season—real, clinical cancer. We break down the big scary terms from McCance and Huether’s Pathophysiology, 9th Edition (Chapter 12) into concepts you’ll actually remember when exam day comes.

From tumors vs. neoplasia vs. cancer, to benign vs. malignant metaphors (polite houseguests vs. snack-stealing freeloaders), we lay the foundation before diving into the genetics: oncogenes (gas pedal), tumor suppressors (brakes), and caretaker genes (the repair crew). You’ll also meet the infamous Philadelphia chromosome and the full “hallmarks of cancer” bingo card, from cheating death to throwing metabolic ragers (hello, Warburg effect).

Expect mnemonics, metaphors, a few questionable analogies, and plenty of caffeine as we translate the molecular chaos into nurse-ready knowledge. By the end, you’ll not only understand how cancer cells go rogue, but also how to spot the exam questions coming.

Because in nursing, cancer isn’t just a diagnosis—it’s a whole new way of thinking about growth, invasion, and what happens when the rules get thrown out the window.

Crushing chest pain, a heart on the fritz, and enough rhythm drama to fuel a soap opera — today’s episode takes you right to the bedside of Mr. Jameson Banks, a patient who tried to nap off a heart attack (spoiler: it did not go well). We break down how to spot a myocardial infarction, why MONA is still the nurse’s bestie, and what to do when atrial fibrillation decides to join the party.

From anticoagulants to antianginals, amiodarone to digoxin, we’re giving you a cardiac med survival guide packed with memorable tips, cautionary tales, and no-nonsense patient education pearls. We’ll help you remember the must-know meds, their side effects, and the red flags you never want to miss.

Whether you’re a new grad prepping for boards or a seasoned nurse brushing up, this episode will keep your clinical skills sharp — and maybe save you from trying to nap off your own chest pain.

🩺 Key highlights:

✅ MONA for MI

✅ Rhythm control and anticoagulation for AFib

✅ Digoxin’s toxic halos

✅ Statins, beta blockers, ACEs, ARBs — what’s what

✅ Kae’s top five cardiac tips for safe practice

So pour the coffee, grab your stethoscope, and let’s get clinical. This one’s a wild ride — because the heart doesn’t do boring.

Episode Title: It’s Just a Pain Pill… Until It’s SNOT

Podcast: Code Brown and Coffee

Tagline: Pour the coffee—things are about to get clinical.

Think over-the-counter meds are harmless? Think again. In this episode, Kae and Poppy are tackling one of the sneakiest sources of patient harm: the everyday meds hiding in purses, glove compartments, and bathroom cabinets everywhere. From acetaminophen overload to NSAID-induced GI bleeds, they unpack the "invisible risks" behind the meds we all assume are safe.

You'll learn how to:

• Teach clients to spot hidden ingredients (spoiler: it’s always in the “-quils”)
• Prevent liver failure with acetaminophen safety tips that actually stick
• Explain NSAID risks in language your patients will remember
• Debunk myths about antacids, nose sprays, eye drops, and topicals
• Advocate for vulnerable populations like older adults, children, and pregnant clients

With real-world teaching strategies, a splash of humor, and a dose of good-old nursing sass, this episode turns basic patient education into a life-saving intervention.

👃 It’s just a pain pill—until it’s SNOT.

☕ Stay caffeinated. Stay clinical. Stay careful.

Introduction to the Code Brown & Coffee co-hosts