Patient Education Library

Every topic comes in two versions: a teaching guide for the nurse, and a plain-language handout for the patient that you can read online, print or download as a PDF.

For nurses and nursing studentsWhat to teach, the teach-back questions to ask, the red flags the patient reports, and how the NCLEX tests it.
For patients and familiesShort, clear handouts written to you: what to do each day and when to call for help.

Medical-Surgical

Cardiovascular

After a Heart Attack: Your RecoveryTeach cardiac rehabilitation, safe activity progression, the purpose of each secondary-prevention medication, nitroglycerin use, and emotional recovery after myocardial infarction.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Chest Pain (Angina) and NitroglycerinTeach the angina action plan, correct sublingual nitroglycerin use, safe storage, contraindicated medicines, and emergency symptoms.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Coronary Artery Disease: Heart-Healthy LivingTeach control of modifiable risk factors, heart-healthy eating, statin safety, prescribed aspirin use, and recognition of acute coronary syndrome.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Heart Failure Self-CareTeach daily weights, prescribed sodium limits, medication safety, and early recognition of worsening heart failure.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Heart Medicines: Beta-Blockers and ACE InhibitorsTeach the purpose of beta blockers and ACE inhibitors, pulse and blood pressure checks, safe discontinuation, adverse effects, laboratory monitoring, and angioedema.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Self-CareTeach accurate home blood pressure measurement, daily treatment, lifestyle changes, and responses to severely elevated readings.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Living With Atrial FibrillationTeach stroke prevention, medication adherence, pulse monitoring, trigger management, and emergency symptom recognition.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Preventing Blood Clots (DVT)Teach venous thromboembolism risk factors, early ambulation, leg exercises, mechanical and anticoagulant prophylaxis, travel precautions, and recognition of DVT and pulmonary embolism.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Taking Digoxin SafelyTeach pulse checks before each dose, the hold rule, signs of digoxin toxicity, potassium safety, blood level monitoring, and drug interactions.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Taking Warfarin SafelyTeach warfarin dosing, INR monitoring, consistent vitamin K intake, interaction precautions, and recognition of bleeding.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF

Respiratory / Pulmonology

Asthma: Inhalers and Your Action PlanTeach controller and reliever inhaler use, spacer technique, peak flow zones, trigger avoidance, and the asthma action plan.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Living With COPDTeach smoking cessation, breathing techniques, energy conservation, inhaler use, vaccines, nutrition, and early recognition of COPD exacerbations.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Recovering From Pneumonia at HomeTeach completion of antibiotic therapy, hydration, airway clearance with the incentive spirometer, activity pacing, fever control, vaccines, and warning signs.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Using Oxygen Safely at HomeTeach prescribed oxygen use, fire prevention, safe equipment handling, skin care, emergency planning, and signs of hypoxemia and hypercapnia.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF

Gastrointestinal (GI)

Caring for Your ColostomyTeach stoma assessment, pouch emptying and changing, peristomal skin care, diet, activity, and recognition of stoma complications.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Heartburn and GERD Self-CareTeach meal timing, trigger food limits, head-of-bed elevation, weight and smoking changes, correct medication timing, and alarm symptoms of GERD.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Living With CirrhosisTeach alcohol abstinence, safe medication use, sodium restriction, lactulose goals, adequate protein intake, and early recognition of decompensation.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Tube Feeding at HomeTeach aspiration prevention, tube position checks, water flushes, safe medication administration, site care, and responses to tube problems.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF

Renal & Genitourinary

Caring for Your Dialysis Fistula or GraftTeach daily thrill and bruit checks, protection of the access arm, site hygiene, bleeding control, and recognition of access complications.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Chronic Kidney Disease: Food and FluidsTeach sodium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, and fluid limits, phosphate binder timing, and recognition of fluid overload and hyperkalemia.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Preventing Urinary Tract InfectionsTeach recognition of urinary tract infection, completion of antibiotic therapy, preventive voiding and hygiene habits, and signs of pyelonephritis or sepsis.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF

Neurology

Seizures: First Aid and Your MedicinesTeach antiseizure medication adherence, trigger control, safety precautions, and seizure first aid for family members.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Stroke: Warning Signs and PreventionTeach BE FAST stroke recognition, immediate 911 activation, secondary stroke prevention, and home safety after stroke.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF

Endocrine (Diabetes, Thyroid)

Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid) Self-CareTeach antithyroid medication safety, beta blocker use, radioactive iodine precautions, Graves eye care, nutrition, and recognition of thyroid storm.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Hypothyroidism and LevothyroxineTeach correct levothyroxine administration, absorption interactions, TSH monitoring, and recognition of overreplacement, underreplacement, and myxedema coma.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia) and Sick-Day RulesTeach recognition and treatment of hypoglycemia with the rule of 15, glucagon use by family members, prevention, and sick-day management of insulin, glucose checks, fluids, and ketones.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Type 2 Diabetes: Daily Self-CareTeach blood glucose monitoring and targets, the plate method, physical activity, metformin safety, daily foot care, yearly screening, and recognition of hyperglycemic emergencies.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Using Insulin at HomeTeach insulin types and timing, insulin pen technique, site rotation, safe storage, sick-day insulin use, hypoglycemia treatment, and sharps disposal.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF

Musculoskeletal / Orthopedics

After Hip Replacement SurgeryTeach hip precautions, adaptive equipment, walker use, venous thromboembolism prevention, incision care, exercise, and recognition of dislocation, infection, and pulmonary embolism.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Caring for Your CastTeach elevation and ice, cast protection, skin care, neurovascular checks, and early recognition of compartment syndrome and cast complications.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Osteoporosis: Protecting Your BonesTeach calcium and vitamin D intake, bone-loading exercise, fall prevention, correct oral bisphosphonate administration, and recognition of fractures and medication adverse effects.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF

Integumentary / Wounds & Skin

Caring for Your Wound or Incision at HomeTeach hand hygiene, dressing care, bathing limits, nutrition for healing, recognition of infection and dehiscence, and emergency action for evisceration or uncontrolled bleeding.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Preventing Pressure Injuries (Bedsores) at HomeTeach caregivers pressure injury risk, repositioning schedules, heel offloading, skin and moisture care, nutrition, daily skin inspection, and when to report skin changes.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF

Hematology / Oncology

Iron Deficiency Anemia and Iron PillsTeach the signs of iron deficiency anemia, iron-rich foods, correct oral iron administration, expected stool changes, adverse effect management, and safe storage away from children.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Low White Blood Cells: Preventing InfectionTeach the emergency response to fever during neutropenia, hand hygiene, exposure avoidance, food safety, oral care, and avoidance of rectal procedures and live vaccines.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects at HomeTeach management of chemotherapy-induced nausea, mucositis, fatigue, alopecia, and bowel changes, with bleeding and infection precautions and the neutropenic fever action plan.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF

Immune & Infectious Disease

Living Well With HIV: Your MedicinesTeach daily antiretroviral therapy adherence, viral load and CD4 monitoring, undetectable = untransmittable, drug interaction safety, transmission prevention, and warning signs.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Treating Tuberculosis (TB)Teach airborne transmission prevention, completion of the full drug regimen with directly observed therapy, expected and adverse drug effects, and sputum monitoring.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF

Perioperative / Pre & Post-Op

Getting Ready for SurgeryTeach preoperative fasting, medication instructions, skin preparation, smoking cessation, the 24-hour plan after anesthesia, and information to report to the surgical team.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Recovering After Surgery at HomeTeach incentive spirometry, early ambulation, safe opioid use, incision care, nutrition, and recognition of infection, venous thromboembolism, urinary retention, and wound complications.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF

Pediatrics

Respiratory (RSV, Asthma, Croup)

Bronchiolitis (RSV) Care at HomeTeach parents nasal suctioning, small frequent feeds, hydration checks, safe positioning, infection control, RSV prevention, and the signs of respiratory distress.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF

Hematology (Sickle Cell, Leukemia)

Sickle Cell Disease: Preventing a Pain CrisisTeach parents crisis prevention, daily hydration, hydroxyurea and penicillin prophylaxis, home pain management, and the fever and complications that need emergency care.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF

Endocrine (Type 1 Diabetes)

Type 1 Diabetes: Your Child at Home and SchoolTeach parents and children daily insulin, glucose monitoring, carbohydrate counting, the school diabetes plan, hypoglycemia treatment, exercise and sick-day rules, and DKA warning signs.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF

Immunizations & Preventive Care

Fever in Children: What to DoTeach parents accurate temperature measurement by age, comfort care, weight-based antipyretic dosing, and the fever findings that need same-day or emergency care.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF

Maternal & Newborn

Antepartum / Prenatal Care

Pregnancy Warning SignsTeach the prenatal visit schedule, folic acid supplementation, fetal movement counting, exposures to avoid, and the warning signs that need a same-day call or immediate care.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF

Postpartum

After Birth: Postpartum Care and Warning SignsTeach normal lochia, perineal and incision care, pain and bowel care, breast care, mood changes, contraception, and the POST-BIRTH warning signs.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF

Newborn Assessment & Care

Caring for Your Newborn at HomeTeach safe sleep, feeding frequency and output, cord and bath care, jaundice checks, car seat use, coping with crying, and the newborn warning signs.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF

High-Risk Pregnancy (Preeclampsia, GDM)

Gestational Diabetes: Your Daily PlanTeach blood glucose monitoring and targets, balanced carbohydrate distribution, activity after meals, insulin safety, fetal movement counting, and postpartum diabetes screening.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Preeclampsia: Know the Warning SignsTeach the meaning of preeclampsia, home blood pressure monitoring and action thresholds, prescribed low-dose aspirin, and the warning signs of severe disease before and after birth.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF

Pharmacology

Drug Classes & Mechanisms

Taking Antibiotics the Right WayTeach complete and correctly timed antibiotic use, antibiotic stewardship, common adverse effects, Clostridioides difficile infection, key interactions, and allergic reactions.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF

High-Alert Medications

Using Opioid Pain Medicine SafelyTeach prescribed opioid use, avoidance of other CNS depressants, constipation prevention, naloxone use, secure storage and disposal, and recognition of overdose.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF

Mental Health

Anxiety & Mood Disorders

Taking an Antidepressant (SSRI)Teach the expected onset of SSRI benefit, daily adherence without abrupt discontinuation, common adverse effects, serotonin syndrome, and suicide-risk monitoring with crisis resources.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF
Taking Lithium SafelyTeach serum lithium monitoring, steady sodium and fluid intake, drug interactions, recognition of early and severe toxicity, and pregnancy planning.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF

Fundamentals

Safety & Infection Control

Preventing Falls at HomeTeach fall-risk screening, home hazard reduction, safe position changes, vision and medication review, strength and balance exercise, and the plan after a fall.
Nurse teaching guidePatient handoutPDF