Generic names only on drug questions?

[redseven]

i am currently reviewing pharmacology now and i must admit that it's the subject i hated the most but i am patiently dissecting every drug for every system and as of now i am so overwhelmed by the information...it helps a lot though having brand names while trying to memorize the drugs and their actions, however, i have read threads and comments recently that nclex had only been providing just GENERIC NAMES.How true is this? Now, this is making me scared because it might make everything more confusing to me. Any feedbacks from test takers would be highly appreciated. Any advise in making pharma more fun will be even great. Thank you nurses.

[palmtree90]

Unfortunately, it is true. I just took the nclex last week and only generic names were provided. I was really surprised, but only had about 5 or 6 med questions out of 75. good luck!!!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Generic names are a good thing. The suffixes give you your best clue as to what kind of drug it is, and therefore if you understand the effects of a drug class you don't need as many hints. For example: drug names ending in mycin are what? And what do you know about them, the precautions, and the signs of high levels? Olol means beta blockers-- what do you know about them? And so forth.

Knowing this information also means that when you are at work and someone is getting a drug you haven't seen before, you can often know what class of drug it is by its generic name (and that's how they are almost always prescribed and filled by the pharmacy). Good habit to get into.

[Dranger]

Always know generic first, brand name is only for functionality in conversing with patients....