Drug interactions do not have to feel confusing. Once the cytochrome P450 system clicks, it becomes much easier to reason through medication metabolism and pharmacology questions that nurse practitioners need to know.

In this episode, Alex and I explain the cytochrome P450 system and why it matters for drug metabolism, medication interactions, and clinical decision-making. You will walk away with a clearer framework for understanding pharmacology concepts that nurse practitioners need to know for both exams and real-world prescribing decisions.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/cytochrome-p450-system

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Herbal supplements may seem harmless, but they can have important effects on medications and patient safety. In this minisode, I review the herbal supplements nurse practitioners are most likely to encounter on exams and in clinical practice. From St. John's Wort and ginkgo to valerian root and black cohosh, this overview highlights the key uses, safety concerns, and medication interactions you should recognize.

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Do alpha and beta adrenergic receptors feel confusing or overly detailed? Understanding these receptors is essential for success on your exams, and once they click, so much of pharmacology starts to make sense.

In this episode, Alex and I walk through alpha and beta adrenergic receptors step by step, connecting receptor function to real medications and common board-style scenarios. You will leave with a clearer framework for answering pharmacology questions with confidence.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/alpha-beta-adrenergic-receptors

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Prescribing in pregnancy can feel intimidating, especially when a patient casually mentions they're 10 weeks along mid-visit. In this minisode, Kaitlyn and Courtney break down the core principles you need to confidently treat common pregnancy complaints, including first-line options for nausea, reflux, and infections, and which antibiotics are safe and when to avoid certain ones on boards and in practice.

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Have you had that "wait… I'm the provider now" moment yet? The first year as an NP is one of the biggest professional shifts you'll ever make, and it can feel both empowering and overwhelming at the same time.

In this episode, Courtney and I break down what transitioning from student to practicing NP really looks like, from orientation expectations and charting struggles to imposter syndrome and building clinical confidence. We share what's normal, what to advocate for, and how to survive that steep learning curve with safety and structure at the center.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/first-year-as-an-NP

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TSH questions on your NP boards aren't meant to trick you, but they do test whether you understand the pattern behind thyroid labs. In this minisode, I review the normal TSH range, explain the inverse relationship between TSH and free T3 and T4, and walk through how to identify hypo versus hyperthyroidism so you can confidently interpret thyroid questions on exam day.

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Have you ever thought, "Why didn't anyone tell me this sooner?" That feeling is incredibly common as you move from NP school into real practice.

In this episode, Courtney and I share the lessons we wish we had known earlier, including what boards actually prepare you for, how to handle imposter syndrome, and why asking questions makes you a safer clinician, not a weaker one.

This conversation is here to reassure you that learning on the job is normal, growth takes time, and you don't have to have everything figured out to be a great nurse practitioner.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/lessons-from-experienced-nps

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Hemoglobin A1c is one of the most high-yield lab values you'll see on NP boards and in real life. In this minisode, I review its alternate names, the key A1c cutoff and goal values, and how boards expect you to use trends to decide when treatment needs to be adjusted.

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When you're preparing for NP boards, screening guidelines can seem a little dry, but these recommendations show up consistently on exams and form the foundation of primary care practice.

In this episode, Courtney and I run through an overview of the adult screening recommendations you'll need to know for primary care NP boards, leaning heavily on USPSTF recommendations.

Discover how to think through screening questions without getting lost in the nitty gritty detail.

Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://blog.npreviews.com/primary-care-screening-guidelines-pass-np-boards

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It's winter, which means full-blown sick season is here. In this minisode, Kaitlyn and Courtney break down three simple ways to distinguish between bacterial and viral infections and teach how to explain your clinical reasoning to patients in a way that helps them feel heard.

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