Any tips for pharmacology? (NCLEX-PN)

2bprecious · Feb 12, 2011

Hi, if you have the exam cram book it has the medication list that will help you identify the list of meds. Goodluck!

aronii07 · Feb 12, 2011

You could try reviewing a pharmacy technician's drug guide. It will contain most common medication names while breaking them down by classifications and common endings (such as -icillin or -olol) and list most pertinent side effects and interactions (such as Coumadin, no aspirin and increasing chance of bleeding), all in which won't be nearly as difficult as a pharmacist's review, and shouldn't be overloaded with excess information you don't need to know. Hopefully this helps as a quick review and maybe introduce some easier ways to remember medications.

ComeClarity · Feb 12, 2011

I mean the majority of meds under each classification at least have similar therapeutic effects, similar side effects, etc. I have the green Saunders study guide, but I really don't like the way it attempts to break down the meds - still feels like information overload. I have another online study guide that was purchased for me for a graduation present, and although I like the way it presents other information, it over-complicates the meds, listing them by sub-classifications (some of which I've never heard of) and makes my head hurt to look at, lol.

msmeka · Feb 12, 2011

I know exactly what u mean I got Saunders 4th edition also and its just to much info to try to remember along with drugs we didn't learn in nursing school. Kitta when do u take your test?

notmanydaysoff · Feb 12, 2011

I took NCLEX-PN last week. There were more than a few pharm and calculation questions, including a question or two on meds I had never heard of.

I am not able to give any specifics, 1 - because I swore not to divulge any questions, content, answers, under severe penalty, etc; but 2 - because the test is a blur and I can't remember!

notmanydaysoff's HELPFUL TIP O' THE DAY: With regards to pharmacology, know general classifications of medications, MOA, side effects, and by all means, know those calculations for both adults and children. Be able to discern necessary and superfluous information - you know, the stuff they throw in there to mess w/your head!

I'll give you an example of how it wasn't necessary to know specifics about a particular drug to answer the question, rather it was necessary to arrive at the answer by deduction - based on what you do know about other drugs.

This is purely an example, made up in my own head. Got information from my Nursing 2010 drug handbook.

Patient is to be given Comtan for parkinson's. Pt teaching to include:

1. interupts cell division

2. can cause sun sensitivity

3. watch for orthostatic hypotension

4. prevents conversion of angiotension I to angiotensin II

You know that:

1. antimetabolite antineoplastics interupts cell division

2. antibiotics can cause sun sensitivity

3. with antiparkinsons meds, watch for orthostatic hypotension

4. ace inhibitors prevent conversion of angiotension I to angiotensin II

ta da...I would choose #3 because I could eliminate the others.

I hope that makes sense. Remember, you've spent a year +/- preparing for this test. My best to everyone getting ready to take it soon!

sheila0313 · Feb 12, 2011

I didn't have many meds, I think they put more meds on the RN exam than PN. I suggest you practice the drugs with the diseases or disorders and practice the Saunders cd-rom pharm questions in content study mode.

caliotter3 · Feb 12, 2011

Limit your expectations for yourself. Start by learning the major info on each of the drug classes. Learn one major drug from each class. Learn the list of suffixes. After that, you can add major drugs as you have time. But don't expect to be able to memorize all of the specifics for every drug in existence. That is unreasonable.