Need study tips for learning drug class,etc....

[Peachez8207]

Hello everyone. I just started the PN program at my school and the classes I am enrolled in are Fundamentals of Nursing and Drug Administration and Calculations. The only class I am worried about is the Drug Administration class. I am worried that I will not be able to learn all the drugs, what they do and the classes. Does anyone have any study tips about learning the drugs. I would really appreciate any help anyone could offer.

[mrsraisinkain]

The only advice i have to you right now is not to worry about something until you're there. I was really worried about Drug Calculations before I started school. I never should have worried. To me it was the easiest thing I took last term and ended up getting a 100 on my final. You may be surprised at yourself. So far in my pharmacology class this term I have found flashcards to be very helpful. Also it helps to memorize and understand the mechanism of action for a class of drug. Once you understand that, the adverse effects and drug interactions really make sense and it's easier to remember them. I'm not a very good "memorizer" (Is that even a word? LOL!). I didn't do well in A&P last term. For me understanding how something works and why it works just makes the most sense in my mind. I'm sorry I don't have any better advice but I wish you the best of luck!

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Some drugs have suffixes that will give you the hint of the classes; for example:

olol-beta blockers (metoprolol)

statin-cholesterol lowering medications (atovastatin)

cillin-penicillins

floxacin-quinilone antibiotics (cipro)

cycline-antibiotics (tetracycline)

mycin- macrolide antibiotics [some of them]- erthromycin

These are examples. There are many more. A suggestion I have is to purchase "Delmar's Comprehensive Study Guide for NCLEX-PN", which will list these and many others in their pharmacology section, which I discovered was VERY helpful to me. And, they have a nice summary of indications of use, side effects and teaching. In addition, you can use that book to study for your nursing program. I don't see a reason not to have it a bit early...you should concentrate on one semester at a time, but a hint of what is to come is always an advantage.