Atrial fibrillation (AFib) made easy—clinically relevant ECG/EKG interpretation, how to recognize AFib with RVR, and how to approach AFib management from bedside to boards. In this lecture from This is Why, Dr. Busti will , Dr. Busti breaks down atrial fibrillation in a clear, practical way so you can confidently answer: - What is AFib and why does it matter clinically? - How do you identify AFib on an ECG/EKG (classic “irregularly irregular” rhythm)? - When is it atrial fibrillation with RVR an...
Jan 01, 2026•1 hr 8 min
Sulfa allergy is one of the most commonly reported drug allergies (often cited around ~6% of patients), and it frequently leads clinicians to avoid entire medication classes—sometimes unnecessarily. In this lecture from This is Why, Dr. Busti will break down what drugs to avoid with a sulfa allergy (and what’s usually safe) by focusing on the “why”: the chemical features that drive true sulfonamide allergy risk and what that means for real-world prescribing. You’ll learn how to: - Identify what ...
Dec 26, 2025•13 min
In this lecture from This is Why, Dr. Busti will break down the term odynophagia—how to pronounce it, how to use it correctly in charting and clinical conversation, and the most common conditions that cause swallowing pain (painful swallowing). This quick, high-yield refresher will help you confidently recognize and document odynophagia and avoid common mistakes (like confusing it with dysphagia). In this video you’ll learn: - What odynophagia means and how to say it - How it differs from dyspha...
Dec 26, 2025•13 min
In this lecture from This is Why, Dr. Busti will make the identification of the heart borders and heart chambers on a chest x-ray easy. Dr. Busti will walk step-by-step through how to identify the cardiac silhouette, locate the heart borders, and understand where the right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle, left ventricle, left atrial appendage, and apex of the heart sit on a standard PA chest x-ray (CXR). You’ll see how to connect real heart xray images with the underlying heart anatomy. You...
Dec 23, 2025•17 min
In this lecture from This is Why, Dr. Busti will break down dysphagia—the medical term for difficulty swallowing—in a clear, clinically relevant way. You’ll learn what dysphagia means, how clinicians use the term, and how to quickly recognize the difference between oropharyngeal dysphagia vs esophageal dysphagia. We’ll also cover high-yield dysphagia causes, red flags, and common pitfalls that lead to missed diagnoses—especially when aspiration risk is overlooked. What you’ll learn (quick + prac...
Dec 23, 2025•13 min
Are you looking at a portable chest x-ray and wondering, “Is this exposure good enough to trust?” In this video, we walk through how to check chest x-ray exposure step-by-step so you can quickly decide if a CXR is adequately penetrated and ready for interpretation. In this lecture from This is Why, Dr. Busti will provide you with a practical approach to how to read chest x-rays and judge image quality before making clinical decisions. You’ll learn how to: Recognize adequate CXR penetration using...
Dec 22, 2025•13 min
In this lecture from This is Why, Dr. Busti will walk step-by-step through rib anatomy on a portable AP chest x ray, so you can quickly recognize posterior vs anterior ribs, assess inspiratory effort, and improve your overall chest x ray interpretation skills. You’ll learn how to: Spot posterior ribs and anterior ribs on a standard AP chest x ray Use rib counting to judge film quality and inspiration Apply rib levels as landmarks when describing lung findings Avoid common mistakes when reading p...
Dec 19, 2025•13 min
What does “micturate” actually mean, and why do textbooks, exam questions, and older charts still use it instead of just saying “urinate”? In this lecture on Medical Terminology from This is Why, Dr. Busti breaks down the meaning and definition of micturate, how it relates to micturition and urination, and shows you exactly how this term is used in real clinical practice so it finally sticks. In this video, you’ll learn: what micturate and micturition mean in plain language, how to connect “mict...
Dec 19, 2025•5 min
In this lecture from This is Why, Dr. Busti will answer the question, "Are patients with a penicillin allergy really at high risk when we use cephalosporins?" Dr. Busti will also discuss some of the evidence on penicillin allergy & cephalosporin cross-reactivity and shows you how to safely use β-lactam antibiotics in clinical practice. In this episode, we’ll cover: - Why most penicillin allergy labels are incorrect - The true risk of cephalosporin cross-reactivity (and why it’s not what you ...
Dec 19, 2025•14 min
Master penicillin allergy questions exactly the way they show up on your exams and in clinical practice. In this episode of This is Why, Dr. Busti will walk through a high-yield practice question on penicillin allergy and beta-lactam cross-reactivity, so you know which antibiotics are safe, which to avoid, and how to reason through the stem under exam pressure. You’ll learn how to: - Analyze a penicillin allergy history in an exam-style MCQ - Understand penicillin–cephalosporin cross-reactivity ...
Dec 18, 2025•7 min
Mastering chest X-ray positioning is the first step to safe and accurate chest X-ray interpretation. In this video, “How to Check Patient Positioning on a Chest X-Ray,” Dr. Busti walk through a simple, practical checklist so you can quickly decide if a CXR is good enough to interpret—or if positioning errors (rotation, poor inspiration, clipping) are misleading you. You’ll learn how to: Tell PA vs AP views and why it matters for heart size and mediastinum Spot patient rotation using the clavicle...
Dec 16, 2025•17 min
In this lecture from This is Why, Dr. Busti will teach you how to quickly and confidently tell AP vs PA chest X-ray (CXR) views apart so you don’t get misled by magnified hearts or a widened mediastinum. In this video, we break down chest X-ray projection step by step and show you how to spot whether a film is AP or PA view just by looking at the image itself—skills you can use on your next shift or exam. This teaching video is designed to help clinicians who want practical, bedside chest X-ray ...
Dec 05, 2025•14 min
In this lecture from This is Why, Dr. Busti will walk step-by-step through the proper steps to determine if the inspiration is good enough to allow the chest x-ray (CXR) to be appropriate to interpret and avoid missing an abnormality. This lecture will improve your overall chest x-ray interpretation skills. You’ll learn how to: Identify the posterior ribs and anterior ribs on a standard AP chest x ray Use rib counting to judge film quality and inspiration If you’re looking for a clear, visual gu...
Dec 04, 2025•11 min
In this This Is Why pharmacology review, Dr. Busti walks through the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)—how they became first-line for major depressive disorder and a wide range of anxiety-related disorders, and where their real-world pitfalls live. We compare the core agents—citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, and sertraline—covering indications, mechanism, and clinical nuances that matter at the bedside. You’ll learn how dose, half-life, metabolism, and ...
Nov 20, 2025•34 min
This session teaches a reproducible, step-by-step approach to chest X-ray (CXR) interpretation using two complementary mnemonics: RIPE (Rotation, Inspiration, Penetration/Projection, Exposure/Artifacts) to verify image quality, and A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I to read findings in a consistent order. Viewers learn to spot essential landmarks (trachea, aortic knob, hila, lobes/fissures, diaphragms, costophrenic angles), recognize when AP vs PA matters (e.g., cardiothoracic ratio), and avoid common pitfalls t...
Nov 11, 2025•40 min
In this episode of This Is Why , Dr. Busti breaks down the evidence-based predictors of NCLEX-RN success for first-time test takers. See what the 10-year pass-rate trend really shows, which factors (GPA, standardized exit exams, program environment, life experience) matter most, and—most importantly—what you can do now to raise your odds on test day. Build confidence in your exam readiness and clinical mastery with free resources at https://thisiswhy.health Disclaimer: This content is for educat...
Nov 11, 2025•8 min
BPS specialty board exams are challenging — and the data proves it. But knowing what drives success can make all the difference. In this episode of This Is Why , Dr. Busti reviews national BPS pass rate trends and explores what separates first-time test takers who succeed from those who don’t. Using data from multiple specialties, he highlights how residency training, study strategy, and preparation methods predict success — and why relying solely on memorization or guesswork fails so many candi...
Oct 27, 2025•14 min
Passing a BPS specialty exam takes more than hard work — it takes strategy and understanding. In this episode of This Is Why , Dr. Busti breaks down how BPS exams are built, what “testable” really means, and why focusing on validated, evidence-based concepts gives you a major advantage. Drawing on decades of experience as a pharmacist, educator, and exam review developer, he explains the multi-step process used to create fair, reliable, and job-related BPS exams. Listeners will learn why not all...
Oct 27, 2025•14 min
What predicts success on the NAPLEX? It’s not chance — it’s about understanding the factors that matter most. In this episode of This Is Why , Dr. Busti unpacks the key predictors of NAPLEX performance based on data and published literature. You’ll learn how GPA, pre-admission metrics, clinical performance, study effort, and test timing correlate with first-time pass rates — and how to interpret these factors to improve your own odds. Drawing from decades of experience teaching pharmacy and prep...
Oct 27, 2025•10 min
Over the past decade, NAPLEX pass rates have dropped — sparking concern across pharmacy education. But what’s really driving this decline? In this episode of This Is Why , Dr. Busti breaks down the data behind NAPLEX performance trends, exploring factors such as the rapid growth of pharmacy schools, shifts in applicant pools, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on learning and assessment. Drawing from decades of experience as a pharmacist, physician, and nurse, Dr. Busti helps listeners unde...
Oct 27, 2025•13 min
The NAPLEX isn’t testing everything you’ve ever learned — it’s measuring what matters most for entry-level pharmacist competence. In this episode of This Is Why , Dr. Busti explains how the NAPLEX is built by the NABP, why understanding its blueprint helps you focus your studying, and how to avoid wasting time on untested or emerging content. Drawing on his own experience as a pharmacist, physician, and nurse — and decades teaching pharmacy students — he reveals the process behind question valid...
Oct 27, 2025•12 min
Passing the NCLEX-RN isn’t about memorizing more — it’s about understanding what truly matters and how the exam is built to measure it. In this episode of This Is Why, Dr. Busti, a physician and pharmacist who began his healthcare career as a registered nurse, breaks down how the NCLEX-RN is developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) — and what that means for your study plan. You’ll learn how to recognize high-yield, testable concepts, why some new content won’t appear ...
Oct 27, 2025•9 min
In this episode of This Is Why , Dr. Busti walks through a real-world board-style question on community-acquired pneumonia — connecting core pathophysiology to exam reasoning and clinical judgment. Using a 54-year-old patient case, you’ll learn how to differentiate inpatient versus outpatient management, apply CURB-65 and PSI scoring tools, and identify sepsis criteria that drive treatment decisions. Dr. Busti also unpacks the rationale behind antibiotic selection, comparing macrolide monotherap...
Oct 07, 2025•22 min
Dr. Busti reviews pharmacologic options for smoking cessation—bupropion, nicotine replacement therapy, and varenicline—highlighting mechanisms, dosing strategies, and safety considerations. Learn how to integrate these therapies with behavioral approaches, tailor choices to patient comorbidities, and monitor for clinically relevant risks. Access bonus materials and downloads at https://thisiswhy.health Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medic...
Oct 07, 2025•36 min
Dr. Busti reviews selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)—their mechanism, first-line indications, key side effects, and clinical pearls. Learn why SSRIs are widely used for depression and anxiety, how to avoid pitfalls like QT prolongation and drug interactions, and what to monitor to optimize patient care. Access bonus materials and downloads at https://thisiswhy.health Find resources for this topic at https://www.thisiswhy.health/topics/pharmacology-review-tca-tricyclic-antidepressant...
Oct 07, 2025•34 min
Discover serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)—safe, effective antidepressants for depression, anxiety, and pain syndromes. In this episode, you’ll learn: - How SNRIs work in the brain and differ from SSRIs, TCAs, and MAOIs - Key medications: venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, milnacipran, levomilnacipran - Important side effects, including blood pressure changes and SIADH in older adults - Tips for safe switching, monitoring, and counseling patients Companion tables (indica...
Oct 07, 2025•29 min
Dr. Busti breaks down monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)—where they still fit in modern care, how they work, and how to use them safely. In this episode you’ll learn: Why MAOIs remain relevant for treatment-resistant depression How irreversible MAO-A/B inhibition elevates serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine Practical washout rules (why 14 days after MAOI, generally 7 days before starting an MAOI; longer with fluoxetine) High-yield differences (e.g., selegiline transdermal for depression vs...
Oct 07, 2025•38 min
Dr. Busti explores the atypical antidepressants—bupropion, mirtazapine, trazodone, vilazodone, and vortioxetine. Learn how these agents differ from SSRIs/SNRIs, when to use them, and how their unique side effect profiles can actually guide therapy. Access tables, visuals, and playlists for this episode at https://www.thisiswhy.health/topics/pharmacology-review-atypical-antidepressants Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnos...
Oct 07, 2025•36 min
Dr. Busti reviews Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)—how they work, why they outperformed H2 blockers, key clinical uses, and important risks. From GERD to GI bleeds, learn the why behind PPIs so you can apply them safely in practice. Access tables, visuals, and playlists for this video at https://www.thisiswhy.health/topics/pharmacology-review-proton-pump-inhibitors-ppi Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. A...
Oct 07, 2025•48 min
In this episode of This Is Why , Dr. Busti unpacks the pharmacology and clinical relevance of the potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB) class—featuring vonoprazan , the newest option in acid suppression therapy. You’ll learn how P-CABs compare to H₂ receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in terms of mechanism, onset, and duration of acid control. Dr. Busti explains the unique pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties that make vonoprazan a valuable alternative for patie...
Oct 07, 2025•38 min
