Nursing Continuing Education Online Course
Nursing CEUs and Contact Hoiurs
High Cholesterol Pt. 1: Western Medicine
This course is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing for 7 nursing CEUs for nursing continuing education credit. Download the course, complete the online quiz, and receive immediate license credit!
Overview
High Cholesterol Pt. 1: Western Medicine
This is Part One of a three part series on hyperlipidemia (dyslipidemia). This course (Part One) focuses on western medicine - including pathophysiology, serum lipid levels, determining risk, etc. Part Two focuses on the Chinese Medicine Theoretical Principles of dyslipidemia and prepares the reader for Part Three. Part Three focuses on Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment of dyslipidemia with an emphasis on Chinese Medicine Dietetics. The combined series empowers nurses with an in-depth understanding of dyslipidemia and with tools such as lifestyle practices, food therapies, and simple herbal remedies, to prevent and treat this disorder safely and effectively.
Course Outline for Pt. 1:
Introduction
1. Dyslipidemia in Western Medicine
1.1 Definition
1.2 Prevalence
1.3 Pathophysiology
1.4 Signs and Symptoms
1.5 Description of Lipoproteins
1.6 Serum Lipid Levels
1.7 Determining Risk
1.8 Therapeutic Options
1.9 Non-Mainstream Ideas about Cholesterol and Dyslipidemia
Sample of Course Materials
Introduction
Dyslipidemia affects millions of people worldwide, particularly in areas where fat-rich diets and sedentary lifestyles are prevalent, such as the United States, and is cause for concern due to the increased risk it poses for serious diseases such as coronary heart disease (CHD). While pharmaceutical drug-therapies to reduce total and LDL cholesterol may be necessary in some cases, Chinese medicine offers complementary preventative and remedial therapy options which, when appropriate, are safe, effective, and employable with a basic understanding of Chinese medical ideas. This course aims to provide nurses and other biomedical health care providers with the fundamental knowledge needed to apply Chinese medicine dietary and lifestyle practices, as well as simple herbal remedies, in the management of dyslipidemia patients.
1. Dyslipidemia in Western Medicine - 1.1 Definition
Dyslipidemia is defined as disorder of lipoprotein metabolism, including lipoprotein overproduction or deficiency. Dyslipidemia may include elevated plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglyceride, and a decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) plasma concentrations. Hyperlipidemia refers to higher than normal levels of plasma lipids, including cholesterol, cholesterol esters, phospholipids, and triglycerides. All of these lipids are transported in the plasma bound to proteins, and these larger compound molecules are called lipoproteins. Lipoproteins have been classified on the basis of their densities into five major classes:
• chylomicrons
• very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL)
• intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL)
• low-density lipoproteins (LDL)
• high-density lipoproteins (HDL)
When hyperlipidemia is defined in terms of elevated serum lipoproteins, the term hyperlipoproteinemia is used. Higher than normal serum cholesterol is termed hypercholesterolemia, and higher than normal serum triglyceride is termed hypertriglyceridemia. The main risk associated with dyslipidemia is atherosclerosis and subsequent increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) and other vascular diseases.
1.2 Prevalence
In recent years there are many studies showing direct correlation between incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and elevated total and LDL cholesterol levels. According to the third report of the Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III), issued by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) in May 2001, each year approximately 1.5 million Americans experience an acute myocardial infarction (MI), and one-third of them do not survive. Adoption of NCEP guidelines for the management of dyslipidemia means many more patients are now candidates for intensive lipid-lowering therapy. The NCEP estimated that under its 2001 guidelines, the number of Americans qualifying for dietary treatment would rise from 52 million to 65 million, and the number of candidates for drug therapy would nearly triple—from 13 million to 36 million.
1.3 Pathophysiology
The main risk of dyslipidemia is atherosclerosis (the leading cause of death and disability in the developed world) and the ensuing risk atherosclerosis poses for coronary heart disease (CHD), myocardial infarction (MI), cerebrovasular accident (CVA), peripheral arterial disease, carotid artery disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), etc. Atherosclerosis is a subset of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), and is the formation of atheromas (fibrous fatty intimal plaques) in arterial walls. The exact pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is controversial and complex, but a simplified explanation is as follows....
End of Sample Course Material
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