[Lanegirl]

I am using the Saunder's 3rd edition book and was wondering how much studying I should devote to pharm. I have been studying it for 3 days and there are some really abstract drugs on there that I have never heard of. I was thinking I should focus my studying on cardiac, antibiotics, and BP drugs. I have a good general knowledge of the most common drugs used in each class but Saunders is making me worry. I had a 4.0 in the class for the semester. I just don't want to drive myself bonkers.

[HyperRNRachel]

Study the drug classes and make a mental note of any specific side effects associated with a particular drug.

[jlemstover]

I had a TON of pharm questions, drugs that I had never heard of. You'll be ok though. Just study the basics
EMS

[suzanne4]

Every single exam is different. One person may get a bunch of them, and another only get one or two. The exam will also focus on your weak points.

[nursemomruns]

Originally Posted by suzanne4

Every single exam is different. One person may get a bunch of them, and another only get one or two. The exam will also focus on your weak points.

Every exam has the same percentage of pharmacology. For the PN exam it is 9-15% and for the RN exam it is 13-19%. There are also set percentages for Management of Care, Safety and Infection Control, Health Promotion and Maintenance, Psychosocial Integrity, Basic Care and Comfor, Reduction of Risk Potential, and Physiological for the RN. The test plan categories for the PN exam are the same, except instead of Management of Care it is Coordinated Care. Every exam has to have a certain percentage from each content area that I have listed. If you get a bunch of questions wrong on psychosocial integrity, the test is not going to keep asking you those types of questions just because you missed them. You are only going to get the percentage that the test plan calls for. The test is not looking for your weaknesses. The administration of the exam is designed to give everyone a balanced exam. You can download a free copy of the test plan from www.ncsbn.org. If you want a detailed test plan, you can order one from that site for 10 dollars.

[nursingone]

Hi,

I have questions also on pharmacolgy. I read somewhere that we are suppose focus on the non-pharmalogical approach (pillow comfort, guided imagery, positioning, massage) and if this doesn't work; then we use the pharmalogical drug. Obviously, if the test question list the drug, we have to answer the question. How do you study the drugs that are listed in the Saunders review? I would appreciate any suggestions.

peace
nursingone