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Flu Treatment, Symptoms, and Red Flags

Contact Hours Awarded: 2.5

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Course Overview

Flu Treatment, Symptoms, and Red Flags
Morgan Curry

Author: Sarah Schulze
MSN, APRN

While COVID-19 has stolen the spotlight for highly contagious respiratory illnesses in the last several years, other potentially serious and easily spread viruses are still circulating and causing illness and hospitalizations across the world. Influenza is an example of one of those viruses. 

Every year, between 5% and 20% of the US population fall ill with seasonal influenza. Complications such as pneumonia, exacerbation of chronic illness, and respiratory failure are possible and between 140,000 and 710,000 people are hospitalized with influenza each year. 

Nurses must be able to recognize red flags and symptoms of serious illness related to seasonal influenza. Additionally, nurses must understand the importance of early treatment per CDC guidelines and the limitations of rapid influenza testing. In this course, we will discuss these topics and more! 

Course Outline

  1. Introduction 
  2. Epidemiology  
  3. Pathophysiology- What is influenza 
  4. Prevention 
    1. Vaccines 
    2. Standard precautions 
  5. Recognition and Treatment 
    1. Signs and Symptoms 
    2. Testing for Flu 
  6. Treatment 
    1. Outpatient 
    2. Inpatient 
  7. Red Flags and Complications 
  8. Case Studies 
  9. Conclusion 
  10. References 

Accreditation Statement

Nursing CE Central is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

In this course we will discuss the diagnosis, treatment, and “red flag” signs for seasonal influenza infections. It will take the average learner 150 minutes to complete and awards 2.5 contact hours of continuing education.

Course Objectives

After completing this course, the learner will be able to:

  1. Describe the epidemiology and pathophysiology of influenza, including its transmission, seasonal patterns, and prevalence of infection with the disease.  
  2. Identify key prevention strategies, such as vaccination and standard precautions, that reduce the occurrence and spread of influenza in various healthcare and community settings. 
  3. Explain the clinical recognition of influenza, including common signs and symptoms, diagnostic testing methods, and differential diagnoses. 
  4. Create an evidence-based treatment plan for a client in the outpatient setting with a diagnosis of influenza. 

Target Audience

  • Registered Nurses (RN)
  • Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN)
  • Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN/LVN)

Requirement for Completion

  1. Enrollment in the course by the learner
  2. Read and learn all course materials
  3. Complete the course evaluation
  4. Attest and testify learning of the course materials

Accreditations + Approvals

  • American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) (P0614)
  • California Board of Registered Nursing (CEP 17418)
  • Kentucky Board of Nursing (7-0090)
  • Louisiana State Board of Nursing (58)
  • New York State Department of Education (IC 208)
  • Florida Board of Nursing (50-23983)

Conflict of Interest Statement

Nursing CE Central nor any of the authors, planners, content experts or any contributors have a commercial interest nor were influenced by commercial interests in the creation of this course, financially or otherwise.

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COURSE CREATED ON: March 01, 2019

Course Renewed on: January 15, 2025

Course Expires on: January 15, 2028

Course Offering: #6

Course Content