Pulse Check with Archer Nursing

Cardiomyopathy may sound like a big, intimidating word, but understanding it can make all the difference in caring for clients with heart failure. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down the three main types of cardiomyopathy—dilated, hypertrophic, and restrictive - so you’ll never confuse them again. 

We’ll cover: 

• A high-yield NCLEX-style practice question 

• The “balloon” analogy for dilated card...

Peptic ulcers can cause big complications—and the key to mastering them is knowing the differences. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, walks you through the causes, symptoms, and treatments of gastric and duodenal ulcers. 

We’ll cover: 

• The role of H. pylori and NSAIDs in ulcer formation 

• Symptom differences: why gastric ulcers hurt after meals and duodenal ulcers hurt when the stomach is empty 

• ...

Hyperthyroidism is like having your body’s gas pedal jammed to the floor—and when it escalates into a thyroid storm, it can become a life-threatening emergency in minutes. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down the pathophysiology of hyperthyroidism, how it differs from hypothyroidism, and the critical steps nurses must take when a client tips into thyroid storm. 

Through a real-life rapid response case, Mo...

Starting nursing school is exciting...but can also be intimidating at the same time! In this special bonus episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN is joined by Rachel Taylor, MSN-Ed, BSN, RN, and Director of Nursing at Archer Review, to share the mindset shifts, organization strategies, and community-building tips that will set you up for success from day one. 

From managing imposter syndrome to avoiding the perfectionism trap, ...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN explains hypothyroidism using a metaphor you’ll never forget—your body as a car running out of gas. She breaks down how low thyroid hormones slow everything from metabolism to heart rate, and why untreated hypothyroidism can progress into the life-threatening myxedema coma. 

Through a real-world case study from her time on a step-down unit, Dr. Taylor covers: 

• The role of T3 and...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN dives into the unpredictable world of epilepsy—why seizures happen, what they look like, and how nurses play a critical role in both long-term management and emergency care. 

From tonic-clonic convulsions to subtle absence seizures, you'll learn how to recognize the different types of seizure activity and what to do when one strikes. Through a real case of a pediatric patient u...

The liver is one of the hardest-working organs in the body—but when it starts to fail, the consequences are far-reaching and potentially fatal. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN breaks down liver anatomy and function to help you understand the production, metabolism, and conversion pathways that keep the body running smoothly—and what happens when hepatitis or cirrhosis brings that to a screeching halt. 

Through a ...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down Addison’s Disease and adrenal crisis in a way that actually makes sense. You’ll learn why low cortisol and aldosterone levels can send the body into chaos, how to recognize an Addisonian crisis, and the immediate interventions every nurse needs to know. 

This episode features a real-life pediatric case study that brings the condition to life—from the med error that tri...

In this inspiring episode of Pulse Check, Dr. Morgan Taylor sits down with former Archer student, Tez, to talk about the highs, lows, and unexpected pivots in her nursing journey. From getting rejected from PA school to thriving in a fast-paced ABSN program, Tez shares how she found her path in nursing, why she chose Archer Review for NCLEX prep, and how she stayed grounded during one of the most stressful seasons of her life. 

Whet...

Too much of a good thing? That’s exactly what happens in Cushing’s disease—when cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone, goes off the rails. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN walks you through what happens when the body produces too much cortisol, how to recognize the classic symptoms, and what nurses need to know about treatment and client teaching. 

We’ll break down the difference between Cushing’s syndrome and ...

Ectopic pregnancies are rare but serious, and every nurse should know how to spot the warning signs before it’s too late. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down the anatomy, pathophysiology, and red flags of ectopic pregnancy. 

Then, we hear from a real nurse, Lauren, who shares her powerful firsthand story—from confusing symptoms to a delayed diagnosis and surgery that saved her life. Her experience is an ...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN dives into the pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and breaks down how acute exacerbations can lead to life-threatening hypoxia, hypercapnia, and respiratory acidosis. 

From real ED cases to oxygen delivery pitfalls, this episode gives you everything you need to recognize a COPD crisis, prioritize your interventions, and avoid a common NCLEX trap: giving too mu...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN breaks down a high-stakes concept that trips up even experienced nurses: distributive shock. From septic to anaphylactic, neurogenic to adrenal crisis, you'll learn how different causes can all lead to the same dangerous outcome—massive vasodilation and inadequate tissue perfusion. 

Dr. Taylor walks you through a real ED case of septic shock that escalates fast—and shows you ex...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN unpacks one of the most underdiagnosed and misunderstood conditions in reproductive health: endometriosis. You’ll learn how ectopic endometrial tissue wreaks havoc beyond the uterus—and why recognizing chronic, cyclical pain is a clinical red flag. 

Through a powerful real-client story, you’ll see how symptoms like infertility, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and low AMH levels all conn...

What starts as a simple infection—like strep throat or impetigo—can spiral into a serious kidney condition if left unchecked. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN breaks down acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) and how inflammation in the glomeruli can lead to widespread systemic issues. 

Learn how a leaky glomerular filter causes protein and blood to spill into the urine, what lab values point to worsening kidney damage, ...

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and what every nurse needs to know—whether you’re studying for the NCLEX or managing a post-op client! 

We’ll cover: 

• What BPH is, what can go wrong, and the nursing interventions to know 

• Helpful symptom mnemonics: WISE and FUN 

• Common medications like tamsulosin and finasteride—and how they help 

• TURP proc...

Thick, sticky blood might sound like a sci-fi problem—but in nursing, it's called polycythemia, and it’s very real. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, breaks down the key differences between polycythemia and polycythemia vera (PV), what causes each one, and how to spot the signs that require immediate intervention. 

You’ll learn: 

• What an elevated hematocrit actually means 

• Why blood becomes “hyperviscou...

Real talk on communication, collaboration, and trusting your gut. 

Welcome to a special episode of Pulse Check with Archer Nursing! Today, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, sits down with Dr. Stephen DeMeo, neonatologist and Chief Medical Officer at Archer Review, for a candid conversation about one of the most overlooked—but critical—skills in healthcare: interdisciplinary collaboration. 

From awkward first pages to high-stakes gu...

A tight cast, a traumatic hit, or even intense exercise can set off a silent emergency: compartment syndrome. In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP, CCRN, walks you through this surgical emergency that every nurse must recognize—and act on—fast. 

You’ll learn why increased pressure in a closed muscle compartment can cut off circulation, leading to ischemia and permanent tissue damage in just hours. From the "6 Ps" ...