How to Study Pharmacology for NCLEX-RN

tomall · Apr 26, 2011

I'm currently taking Pharmacology in preparation for entry into an Accelerated BSN program. If someone wanted to make up a REALLY comprehensive set of Pharmacology questions for any standardized nclex (pn/rn) no one would have enough time to study anything else imo :)
so my question, how comprehensive/detailed are the nclex pharma questions, and has anyone found a good nclex geared review book for pharma. just what WE need to know for the exam.

or not.

:banghead:

caliotter3 · Apr 26, 2011

Many people receive no pharm questions at all. Other people get a question on a drug they can not identify. Luck of the draw. Best to learn about each class of drug and learn at least one prototype drug for each class. Then, if you get a question involving a medication, attempt to answer it by dealing with all the information provided in the question. I didn't worry about pharm questions because I felt there was no way for me to know it all.

tomall · Apr 26, 2011

Many people receive no pharm questions at all. Other people get a question on a drug they can not identify. Luck of the draw. Best to learn about each class of drug and learn at least one prototype drug for each class. Then, if you get a question involving a medication, attempt to answer it by dealing with all the information provided in the question. I didn't worry about pharm questions because I felt there was no way for me to know it all.

^ the second part of that sentence is about where I'm at, now I just need to progress to the not worrying part lol.

are there any stats on the NCLEX question distribution?? iow, 10% requiring pharm knowledge, 10% requiring lab work statistical knowledge (normal values), 30% procedural, etc

vpoonia · Apr 29, 2011

majority of pharm questions you will get on the NCLEX, there is a good chance you probably would never even have heard of that drug.

So, the best way to learn the drug is by the class, its ending (OLS, OLOLS), AND the chemical name (or whatever it is called)...

NCSBN 's online learning is fairly cheap and lists a separate pharm section with all the drugs that they particularly love, and what you are expected to know about them.

As for the pharm difficulty level on NCLEX, most of the questions ask for the most basic side effects, provided you can identify the class.

For each drug in that class, also keep a close eye on which side effect or feature sets it apart. (for example, doxycycline/tetracycline and children)

Most importantly, notice what foods and other drugs it may interact and cause a safety issue (for example, digoxin and lasix) and why.

basically, try to know the class first, then study by exception. It will keep you sane.

The ATI coursebook on Pharm is quite nifty for this purpose. Also, Email me at [email protected] I might have some notes if you need them.

passredskins1 · Apr 29, 2011

just took the nclex on tuesday..and passed ...got 3 pharm questions with drugs i ahve never heard of....

i wouldnt spend a lot of time worrying about pharm for the nclex...focus on med-surge and test taking strategies....... my advice is to study the endings of drug classes and main side effects....and as u are practicing if u come across a drug....look it up but dont have anxiety over it...

if u have access to kaplans blue content book...they have the best pharm study guide i have ever seen....

tomall · Apr 30, 2011

vpoonia, thanks thats awesome - I'll put "tomall allnurses" in the subject so you know its not spam :)

thanks for all the responses - Basically looks like without the feedback, I would have overstudied (as usual)

:up:

Kaylarkin2 · Feb 13, 2015

Hi read your blog... was wondering if you could share more jotes/info.on.pharmacology?...