Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) Module Overview

This program has been approved for 21.5 contact hours of continuing education (which includes 9.5 hours of pharmacology)
Extensive course manual

Hematological studies
- CBC and WBC indices, blood typing, antibody screening, coagulation profiles, hemoglobin A1C
Serologic studies
Hormone studies, LFTs, HIV testing, antibody detection, other infectious diseases
Kidney function
Body fluids
- U/A, fecal testing, vaginal smears, cervical and vaginal cultures, cervical cytology, GBS cultures, tests for ruptured membranes
BUN, creatinine, creatinine clearance
Lipid profiles
Endoscopic procedures
- Colposcopy, diagnostic laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy
Imaging studies
- X-rays, ultrasound, mammography, bone densitometry
Biopsies
- Endometrial, cervix, vulva, breast
Genetics
- Markers, karyotyping, gene identification

Assessment, diagnosis, treatment, referral, counseling, education
- Abnormalities of puberty, menstrual disorders, vaginitis/vaginosis, STIs, UTIs, pelvic pain, infertility
Cervical cytology and HPV testing
Benign uterine/cervical conditions
Adenomyosis, adnexal masses, cervical and endometrial polyps, leiomyomata uteri
Malignant disorders (endometrium, cervix, ovary, vagina/vulva)
Breast disorders (cancer, fibroadenoma, fibrocystic breast changes)
Climacteric/post-menopause
Pelvic organ relaxation and prolapse
Polycystic ovarian syndrome
Vulvar dystrophies and dermatoses
Reproductive health care
Pregnancy prevention
- Cycle timing, barrier methods, pharmacologic methods – oral, injection, implants, transdermal, vaginal, intrauterine contraception, tubal occlusion methods
Unintended pregnancy
- Induced abortion, adoption, options counseling
Men’s issues affecting women’s health
- Sexuality/sexual dysfunction, contraception, infertility, STIs

Physiology of pregnancy
- Normal fetal-placental development, alterations in maternal anatomy and physiology, emotional and behavioral changes
Prenatal care
- Gestational dating, risk assessment, nutrition, immunologic status, medication assessment, health guidance, screening tests, common discomforts of pregnancy, pregnancy specific examination
Fetal assessment
- Amniocentesis, amniotic fluid index, biophysical profile, chorionic villus sampling, contraction stress testing, fetal movement counting, genetic screening, maternal serum markers, nonstress testing, tests for fetal lung maturity, ultrasound
- Complications of pregnancy
  - Maternal medical disorders
    - Metabolic, infectious, cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, respiratory, hematologic, substance abuse
  - Placental abnormalities
    - Trophoblastic disease, placenta previa, abruptio placenta, amniotic fluid volume
  - Pregnancy specific conditions: Spontaneous abortion, incompetent cervix, intrauterine fetal death, multiple gestation, prematurity, postmaturity, ectopic pregnancy, preterm labor, hyperemesis gravidarum, gestational hypertension, malpresentations, Rh isoimmunization, coping with pregnancy loss

Physiologic changes
- CV, endocrine, GI, hematological, respiratory, renal/urinary, uterine/pelvic changes/involution
General care issues
- After pains, care of breasts and perineal area, fatigue, sleep disturbances, issues related to non-breastfeeding mothers, postpartum exercises, contraception
Breastfeeding
- Contraindications, complications – engorgement, infections, nipple soreness, plugged ducts; nutritional needs, physiology of lactation, positioning, and infant feeding
Family integration
- Barriers to parent infant interactions, environmental factors affecting family integration, normal parent-infant interactions, principles of grieving, sibling responses and interventions
Complications of the postpartum period
- Bladder distention, urinary retention, hematoma, hemorrhage, hemorrhoids, postpartum depression/psychosis, reproductive and urinary tract infections, thrombophlebitis

Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics
- Pharmacokinetic properties of drugs: Absorption, metabolism, elimination excretion
- Pharmacodynamic properties: Mechanism of action, drug receptor binding, drug interactions, contraindications
- Pharmacotherapeutics: Prescription and OTC indications, side effects, drug interactions, contraindications, patient education

Evidence-based practice
- Types of research designs, application of research findings to evidence-based practice, statistical reliability, generalizability of research findings, replication of outcomes, ethical considerations
Ethical principles
Legal issues
- Informed consent, protections of information, national mandates
Risk management
Scope of practice