Feeling completely overwhelmed

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I study so much my head feels like it is about to explode. I am only in two classes this quarter but it feels like five. I am in Fundamentals of Nursing and Drug Calculations and Administration. I didn't think fundamentals was going to be this hard. Its not that I am not getting the material because I do, I am having a hard time with the questions. I just need to learn how to apply the knowledge and think critically. Don't even get me started on the Drug admin class. I am not worried about the calculation portion because we pretty much did this last quarter so that portion of the class is just a refresher. I am having the hardest time learning the drugs. I am in the process of making flash cards but I don't feel like the info is sticking. My next test is on the GI and Respiratory systems and I am still trying to learn the cardiovascular drugs. If anyone has any study tips they would be greatly appreciated.

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Suggest that you recite your drug cards onto tapes or make an MP3 recording (I don't know anything about MP3) so that you can listen to the tapes as you drive from point A to point B, exercise at the gym, take a walk, etc. Works for any material. Another way to utilize another one of the senses and to utilize available time.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych.

Oh yea, the dreaded cardio meds. Here is what finally made it click for me:

1. You are just going to have memorize generic/trade and classification. Also, memorize drug endings...-pril (lisinopril) = Ace Inhibitors; -olol (metoprolol) = Beta Blockers etc.

2. LEARN what each system does; adrenergic, cholinergic, etc:

Adrenergic = "fight or flight response" = icreased HR, BP, relaxes smooth muscle & GI tract &peripheral vasoconstriction

Cholinergic = Help with rest & digest = constricts pupils, increases GI motility, secretions, & bladder tone, constricts bronchial smooth muscle, decreases heart rate

Antiadrenergics (or blocking agents) will have the reverse effect of the adrenergic response.

Anticholinergics will have the reverse effect of the cholinergic response.

3. Once you learn have #1 & #2 down, it's easy! So you know that metoprolol is a beta BLOCKER. You remember that it is blocking the fight or flight response by blocking stimulation of beta 1 receptors. Ok, so now you understand that it will produce the opposite effect of the adrenergic response.....which would be decreased HR, BP, & GI motility. If you are decreasing these things, what side effects are you going to end up with????? Yup, hypotension, bradycardia, constipation, etc. Which is then going to lead you to your nursing interventions.....base these on S/E....monitor BP/pulse, defecation, etc.

You can do the same for all drugs. Take Lasix. Loop diuretic. You know the action of the drug based on the name.....works on the Loop of Henle & distal renal tubules. If it's a diuretic what S/E are you going to end up with???? Dehydration, constipation (d/t dehydration), electrolyte imbalances (since it's making you excrete everything under the sun). Let the S/E lead you to nursing interventions...monitor hydration stauts, don't give past 1500 (do you want to be up all night peeing?) etc. What lab values are you going to look at? Electrolytes, esp. potassium, etc.

You must have a true understanding of the patho first. Everything else you will be able to work through without memorizing too much. Try this approach. I have taught many of my peers this method & they are all acing drug tests now.

Good luck!

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I studied a lot my first semester, and went into most exams so frustrated. I felt I worked so hard, but still didn't get it. I did end up doing very well, but it was pure memorization and persistence.

Now, I'm in my final semester, and after all those hours of dreadful memorizing, and putting it all together, it does start to fit. Between clinicals, precepting, med-surg understanding, review for exit exams...things that seemed impossibly big are like my ABCs now! Truly, you have to go through the steps of learning it all-day in and day out-to get to where you understand. It will come, I assure you! Just keep your head in the books as much as you can, and don't judge yourself for what you don't know. Keep learning and stay positive. Remind yourself every day of why you are wanting to be a nurse. Really important, along with those cardiac tips above!

BTW, do move ahead. Don't stay on the meds you've not learned when the class is moving forward. Not that you don't want to review/learn those, but you will see those meds again in med-surg, etc. This is no time to get behind. Focus on the current info. and don't think you have to have everything mastered-just do your very best with the overview, then get deeper as time permits.

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As far as Nf goes critically thinking takes some time but it will start to come naturally to you. I also had that problem when i started off because i would come down to two answers and i couldnt chose between them but now i feel that throughout the yr i have become much better at critically thinking. What helped me the best in pharm was making drug cards, our teachers highly suggested making flash cards with the drug names and descriptions along with the doses and routes and that really worked out well for me, hope i helped you out!! Good luck!:nuke:

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Specializes in MS, TCU, LTAC.
oh yea, the dreaded cardio meds. here is what finally made it click for me:

1. you are just going to have memorize generic/trade and classification. also, memorize drug endings...-pril (lisinopril) = ace inhibitors; -olol (metoprolol) = beta blockers etc.

hi peachez,

i totally agree with the above, do not try the memorize each cardio drugs but first understand what the classification of drug does and learn the ending of the drugs...

-lol = beta blockers

-pril = ace inhibitors

-pine = calcium channel blockers

-sartan = angiotensin ii receptor blockers

also remember beta blocker i act on heart, beta blockers ii act on heart & lungs

also for testing, when you are reading the question underline the most inportant things in the questions (there are a lot of information that they put into the questions that is not needed) learn to pull out the necessary portion. also try covering up the answers while reading the questions. after you have read the question, think about what the question is asking you and try to think of the answer, then look at the answers. there is usually 2 answers right off that can be eliminated (scratch them out) the pick the best answer for the question.

i hope this helps. stay positive. you can do it.

good luck to you...:nurse::yeah:

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what is the trade name? the generic?

My teacher wants us to learn the brand names because "thats what we will see/hear in the real world" so we dont focus all that much on the generic names. Not saying I agree, just that I think all teachers do things their own way.

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Specializes in MS, TCU, LTAC.

[quote=scorpiostudent;3239446

]what is the trade name? the generic?

Trade name/brand names are the names most commonly used.

Trade/brand names Generic names

  • lopressor --------------- Metoprolol
  • lasix --------------- Furosemide
  • lanoxin --------------- Digoxin

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