Advise on how to approach Pharma Q's

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I consider Pharma as my weakest point. Even if I spend couple of hours reading my pharma notes, it seems that only few things register in my mind. I felt anxious coz I know I'll end up getting so many Pharma questions in NCLEX.

Anybody who can suggest the best way to approach this kind of question?:crying2:

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Try not to stress out about knowing all meds...there are way too many to try to memorize all of them. Try to categorize them by ACTION and then look at their generic names for hints. For example...one ending in -dine are H2 rec. antagonist, ending with-prazole are Protein pump Inhibitors, ending with -terol B2 adren. agonists, -pril ACEI, -line bronchodil, -thiazide diuretic, -dipine Ca ch. blockers...and so on. Remember that this does not always apply, though. Look at your options for hints. Also, barbiturates usually have "barb" somewhere in the generic name, just like Cephalosporins have "ceph." You're given both generic and trade name on the NCLEX. After using these memorization techniques, try to memorize common side effects, paying special attention to S/E that are different from other meds within the same class. Also, KNOW toxicity s/s, especially for anti-psych, barbits, MOAIs, digoxin, some Abx in the same class of Vancomycin and TB meds. Don't let this overwhelm you. It helps to make flash cards.

I hope this helps. Make sure you validate this info. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!:D

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i'll take your advise. thanks!

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I had a ton of meds on my test and other than one or 2 I really had no idea what they were. If I didn't know the med and the question was about a side effect I chose the GI side effect. I took a review course and also had heard this from other people who had taken the test that this was the way to go. Yes pharm is important but I looked at it as I'm never going to give a med w/o knowing what it is. I will always look it up, so I tried to concentrate on other areas in studying.

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I am good only in computation...hehe:nuke::nuke:

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i posted this months and months ago. i passed my NCLEX first time last March and I have encountered so many Pharma questions. I am glad I studied the medications in categories...it helped me a lot.

Good luck to the future test takers!

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