On this episode of NP Pulse, we discuss the common causes of misdiagnosis and the red flags NPs can encounter on the road to diagnosing and treating rare diseases. Today’s guests are Stephanie Hosley and Deena Rodney, two NP experts who approach the topic of rare diseases with consideration and care.

This podcast is made possible by Alexion.

In this episode of NP Pulse: The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner®️, Drs. Eric Lenze and Megan Morgenthaler will discuss evidence-based treatments for older adults living with treatment-resistant depression using the findings from the Antidepressant Augmentation versus Switch in Treatment-Resistant Geriatric Depression study. Treatment-resistant depression is a form of major depressive disorder that has not responded to at least two antidepressant treatments.

Upon successful completion of this podcast, you will be able to:

1. Define treatment-resistant depression in older adults.
2. Describe how to use medication augmentation/switching for treatment-resistant depression.
3. Explain one approach to deprescribing medications for older adults.

This episode was developed as part of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners’® (AANP) Clinical Effectiveness Research Initiative, which is funded by a Eugene Washington Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Engagement Award (EADI #35224).

A participation code will be provided at the END of the podcast — make sure to write this code down. Once you have listened to the podcast and have the participation code, return to this activity in the AANP CE Center and follow these steps:

1. Register for this activity.
2. Click on the "Next Steps" button.
3. Enter the participation code that was provided.
4. Complete the activity evaluation.

This will award your continuing education (CE) credit and certificate of completion.

0.75 CE, 0.1 RX, will be available through Dec. 31, 2027.

Please see below for links to resources that the speakers mentioned in the episode.

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Treatment Services Locator for finding local mental health providers and 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline with 24/7 support.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Education material on depression and treatment as well as local and virtual support groups for patients and families.
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA): In-person and virtual peer-led support groups fostering connection and encouragement. DBSA also has information on wellness tools and community resources.
• National Coalition on Mental Health and Aging (NCMHA): Provide access to depression screening tools and caregiver guides.
• National Council on Aging (NCOA): Offers senior-friendly mental health education and coping strategies.

Supporting a patient who needs medication does not end when they receive their prescription. Many patients struggle with living in pharmacy deserts, have further questions when their local pharmacies are closed or have difficulty remembering when and what medications to take. Family nurse practitioner Hiva Kolondrubetz and Tess Carey — senior pharmacist and clinical advisor at Amazon Pharmacy — are today’s guests on NP Pulse, and they tackle the concerns NPs face when getting their patients to not only receive but also successfully take their prescribed medications.

This podcast is made possible by Amazon.