Preventing Acute Stroke: The AF Connection
Hours: 1.25
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of arrhythmia. It affects approximately 2.7 million people in the U.S. and is a leading risk factor for stroke (AHA, 2016). AF is most commonly seen in patients who are over age 60 years. Many patients with AF are asymptomatic, making it difficult to diagnose. AF can increase the risk of stroke if not diagnosed and treated. Approximately 15% of people who experience a stroke have AF (AHA, 2016). Strokes resulting from AF can be prevented with early screening, diagnosis, and intervention.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of arrhythmia. It affects approximately 2.7 million people in the U.S. and is a leading risk factor for stroke (AHA, 2016). AF is most commonly seen in patients who are over age 60 years. Many patients with AF are asymptomatic, making it difficult to diagnose. AF can increase the risk of stroke if not diagnosed and treated. Approximately 15% of people who experience a stroke have AF (AHA, 2016). Strokes resulting from AF can be prevented with early screening, diagnosis, and intervention.
American Nurses Credentialing Center
In support of improving patient care, Relias LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Nurses will receive 1.25 Nursing Contact Hours after successfully completing this course.
District of Columbia Board of Nursing
District of Columbia Board of Nursing Approved Continuing Education program (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Nurses will receive 1.20 contact hours for participating in this course.
Florida Board of Nursing
Florida Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
Georgia Board of Nursing
Georgia Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.25 contact hours for participating in this course.
South Carolina Board of Nursing
South Carolina Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.25 contact hours for participating in this course.
West Virginia Board of Registered Nursing
West Virginia Board of Registered Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.25 contact hours for participating in this course.
New Mexico Board of Nursing
New Mexico Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.25 contact hours for participating in this course.
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Arkansas State Board Of Nursing Approved Continuing Education program (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Nurses will receive 1.25 contact hours for participating in this course.
Kentucky Board of Nursing
In support of improving patient care, Relias LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Mississippi Board of Nursing
Mississippi Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.25 contact hours for participating in this course.
North Dakota Board of Nursing
North Dakota Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.25 contact hours for participating in this course.
Recognize patient risk factors that can lead to AF and subsequent stroke.
Identify anatomical and physiological changes that occur with AF that contribute to increased risk for stroke.
Determine interventions for symptom control and how to manage risks for stroke in patients with AF.
Outline:
Section 1: Introduction
About This Course
Learning Objectives
Section 2: AF Physiology, Symptoms, and Risk Factors
What is Atrial Fibrillation (AF)?
Clinical Risk Factors for AF
AF Patient Education
Review
Summary
Section 3: AF Diagnosis, Tests, and Complications
Cardiac Conduction System
Basic Electrocardiogram (ECG) Review
AF ECG Features
Classifying AF
Echocardiogram
Other Tests
AF Complications
Review
Summary
Section 4: AF Treatment
Types of Treatment for AF
Rate Control
Rhythm Control
Antiarrhythmic Medications
Review
Cardioversion
When to Consider DC Cardioversion
Factors to Consider Before DC Cardioversion
Complications Related to DC Cardioversion
Elective DC Cardioversion
Pharmacological Cardioversion
Considerations with Pharmacological Cardioversion
Ablation
Permanent Pacemaker
Rate vs. Rhythm Control Patient Education
Review
Section 5: Preventing Thromboembolism
Thrombus Formation and Antithrombotic Therapy
Evaluating Bleeding Risk in AF Patients
Estimating Stroke Risk
Antithrombotic Medications
Warfarin versus DOACs
Patient Education for Stroke Risk
Recommendations for Antithrombotic Therapy
Review
Summary
Section 6: Conclusion
Course Summary
Course Contributors
References
Alia Lutz, BSN, RN, has over 10 years of experience as a Registered Nurse with a focus on cardiothoracic, respiratory, and coronary care. She has also had experience in Med-Surg, step-down and ICU. Prior to joining Relias as a SME and Content Writer for acute care, she provided virtual education and injection training on injectable biologics to patients, reported adverse events, and was a patient advocate. She has collaborated with peers on creating job aids, writing policies, and improving quality of care and documentation. Alia received her Bachelors in Nursing from Otago Polytechnic in New Zealand in 2011. Disclosure: Alia Lutz, BSN, RN has no Relevant Financial or Non-Financial Relationship with ineligible companies to disclose.
The target audience for this course is: Nurses; in the following settings: Acute Care Facility.
Asynchronous/Online Distance Learning; please see certificate details for specifics on delivery format.
Relias has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Support by completing the web form (https://www.relias.com/help) or by using the chat functionality.
All courses offered by Relias, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer or otherwise does not constitute or imply any endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of, or affiliation with, Relias, LLC.
All characteristics and organizations referenced in the following training are fictional. Any resemblance to any actual organizations or persons living or dead, is purely coincidental.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Customer Support here.
