Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is common in early childhood and often silent. Universal screening catches kids before learning and behavior are impacted.

Universal vs. Selective Screening

Universal screening is recommended.

• All children: screen once at 9–12 months.

• If a child is on iro...

 Lead can lurk in a child’s environment: homes built before 1978, some toys/jewelry, parent/caregiver jobs with lead exposure, soil (near highways/airports/industrial sites), and contaminated drinking water. Even low levels can cause brain injury, slower growth, and speech/hearing and learning probl...

Getting a Hospital Bed Covered: What to Put in Your Note (So It Doesn’t Bounce Back)

Tried getting a hospital bed approved? You know the drill: denials, “need more info,” and a dozen faxes later. The fix: front-load your documentation with the exact elements payers look for.

First: Who’s Most...

Clinical PEARLS for Prescribing Insulin (Primary Care Edition)

We’ve spent the last couple of weeks building insulin regimens. Today: practical tips, tricks, and scripts to make prescribing insulin (and supplies) painless.

1) Know Your Concentrations & Containers

• Most insulins are U-100

  ...

You got fasting glucose under control with basal insulin…but the A1c is still high or post-meal readings are spiking. Time to layer in prandial insulin.

When to add prandial insulin

• Fasting glucose is at goal but A1c remains above target

• Clear post-meal spikes on home logs or CGM

...

Are you nervous to start insulin? I was too. Insulin therapy is highly individualized, but this step-by-step will help you start confidently and safely.

When I Consider Insulin

Start insulin up front or add it when any of the following are true:

• New diagnosis with A1c ≥10%

• Severe hy...

Last week we covered adjusting Coumadin based on INR and when to consider a switch to a DOAC. This week: how to actually make the transition safely so your patient stays continuously anticoagulated.

The Goal

Maintain stable anticoagulation during the changeover while minimizing bleeding and th...

Many of us inherit patients who are already on warfarin (Coumadin). Some are managed by a coumadin clinic, others rely on their PCP. While DOACs (e.g., apixaban, rivaroxaban) are often easier to manage, warfarin isn’t going away—especially for patients with mechanical valves, antiphospholipid syn...

Last week we covered combined oral contraception (COC). If you missed it, read it here:

https://www.nursepractitionermentor.com/blog/tips-for-prescribing-combined-oral-contraception 

This week, here’s a fast, clinic-friendly overview of other contraceptive options with how-to tips, who they’re ...

Prescribing Combined Oral Contraceptives in Primary Care: What Every NP Should Know

Contraception counseling is one of the most common visits in primary care. For many women, combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are an accessible, effective, and familiar option. But safe prescribing requires knowi...