pre hiring pharmacology exams

nurseunderwater · May 25, 2004

Nursing math, usually med tests are floor specific, the one that i took did not have a lot of safe dose ranges at all. mainly catagory, iv rates, conversions, adverse effects and antidotes for narcs, anticoags and vesicants

hope this helps .... good luck

Kate

SCRN1 · May 25, 2004

At one hospital I worked, it was mainly just doing the math part of meds. At the current hospital, the test had all kinds of questions about the drugs (especially Digoxin) in addition to the math.

At both hospitals, I was given a practice sheet the day before we were to take the test. Also, if you don't score high enough they (at these 2 hospitals) will give you a second chance and I think one of the nurse educators helps you with what you need. They WANT you to pass.

Good luck on your test!

Dixiedi · May 25, 2004

I am applying for a job as an RN in a local hospital. They have advised me that I will be taking a pharmacology exam before being hired. Can anyone tell me what is most important to review, what types of questions are asked, and any other hints you can give me regarding pre hiring pharmacology exams. Thanks for any help you can give me.

It's been awhile since an employer required a pharm test but as I remember... as mentioned already calculating doses, differentiate between BID and Q8H, side affects of some of the major categories, empty stomach VS full stomach, that kind of thing. But nursing math was the biggest part. From calculating dose to pt wt to drip rate for an IV.

It seems as if there was a section in there for abbreviations, you know matching like items in the two columns. I kind of thought that was to balance everything out if someone couldn't pass on the other parts this one could bring their score up.

IamRN · May 26, 2004

Not much new to add. In my 10 or so years of experience I have seen any/all variations as already mentioned.