The Nurse Practitioner

NPs are likely to encounter patients using cannabis with therapeutic intent, with or without legal authorization. During the clinical history and assessment process, NPs need to engage in frank discussion about cannabis therapeutics, including the risks and benefits, evidence for use, dosing considerations, potential drug interactions, and harm reduction.

NPs should be prepared to screen for sepsis, initiate treatment, and optimize care for sepsis survivors. The 2021 Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines offer best practices for identification and management of sepsis and septic shock. This article, second in a 2-part series, presents evidence updates and discusses implications for NPs.

The US Preventive Services Task Force recently expanded its colorectal cancer screening recommendations to start screening adults with average risk profile at age 45. In the face of rising healthcare costs, limited medical resources, and in order to facilitate shared decision-making conversations, primary care clinicians should have a thorough understanding of the evidence supporting this new screening guideline.

Completion of a final project is an essential component of Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. Strategies for successful project planning, implementation, and evaluation are outlined, from identifying an evidence-based practice or quality improvement project, advisor, and practice mentor through completion, presentation, and dissemination of your work.