Patho and pharmacology

justme88 · Mar 10, 2011

I haven't taken those courses yet. But I hear that it is difficult for everyone. I just hope ur not over studying... sometimes back in college I use to study too much without breaks that I psyched myself out. I got really nervouse because

the test was all I thought about. My only advice will be too take more breaks and sleep a good 8 hours. Your mind needs time to process the information you learned. Good Luck!!

Ps. Keep ur exercise routine and eat healthy.

Jonathank · Mar 10, 2011

You've at least partly answered your own question by realizing you've been neglecting diet and exercise. Beyond that, think about what your learning style is and find resources that will help you more than reading your text seems to be. For example, I like to watch videos to get some background before I read.

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2011

I am in 2nd semester and I am taking pharm and pathophy. What a busy semester. I would like to know how people budget their time. I did terrrible on last phar test and everyone else did fine. I really don't know how to study. Listen to lecture notes, read book and notes but it is not helping. Do you study it so many hours everyday? I find studying one subject for 8 or 9 hrs a day is not working. I have been neglecting my health by not exercing and eating right. Any advice?
Thank you.
Exhausted

I had the three hour pharm course last semester. To prepare I listened in class and read the chapter. Made an A.

I have the three hour patho course this semester. To prepare I listen in class and read the chatper. Making A's on all tests thus far.

That's about the size of it. I don't do notes, Power Points, or night before cram or reviews.

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2011

I had the three hour pharm course last semester. To prepare I listened in class and read the chapter. Made an A.
I have the three hour patho course this semester. To prepare I listen in class and read the chatper. Making A's on all tests thus far.
That's about the size of it. I don't do notes, Power Points, or night before cram or reviews.

I have to agree. I took patho. last spring and the easiest thing I did is to actually fully understand the process of the disease so then everything else makes sense. The drugs used make sense if you understand the process, and any other complications if you understand the basic process. I sounds to me like you may be over doing it and sometimes I find that can hurt you more then help you. Good Luck! If you find any magic with pharm let me know because I have that next semester:yeah:

Nurse Kyles, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2011

I suggest making flash cards for pharm.

I'll give you an example of how I made cards:

Card 1 : Drug

Card 2: Class

Card 3: Action

Card 4: Contraindications:

Card 5: Adverse Reactions & Side Effects

Card 6: Assessments

Card 7: Teaching

Make cards for all of your prototypes as stated above. You can lay out all of the cards on the floor and match them up. This really helped me to keep all of the info straight. Good Luck to you! I also color coded the cards per system or unit.

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2011

I suggest making flash cards for pharm.
I'll give you an example of how I made cards:
Card 1 : Drug
Card 2: Class
Card 3: Action
Card 4: Contraindications:
Card 5: Adverse Reactions & Side Effects
Card 6: Assessments
Card 7: Teaching
Make cards for all of your prototypes as stated above. You can lay out all of the cards on the floor and match them up. This really helped me to keep all of the info straight. Good Luck to you! I also color coded the cards per system or unit.

I like that idea I think I will try it.

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2011

I like that idea I think I will try it.

And you'll also spend the rest of March making note cards.... lol

BamaBeachbound78 · Mar 17, 2011

Depends on the Pharm class itself and how the instructor is about giving you what you need for the test. I found making flashcards helped with my course, and then trying to write the drugs out for each class with specific actions, AEs, CIs, etc. And it also depends on your style of studying. Id suggest speaking to some of your class mates and see how they are successful at it. Find what you think would work for you and try that. Reading chapter to chapter can be redundant and pointless if you are not retaining the info, not to mention a waste of time. So streamline those 8-9 hours with plenty of breaks for food and minor exercises if you can to get your blood going!!! GOOD LUCK!!!

devansheensmom · Mar 17, 2011

I'm right there with you. It is hard to budget the time. Granted I am not working full time anymore. I work 20 hours a week and still am having trouble. We had patho, pharm and chronic illness combined and I did well with pharm and chronic, patho was my downfall. I have no idea if I even get to continue on in the program. It's very frustrating. Just hang in there and maybe ask for a study guide from the instructor. Or instructors. After thinking about it that was part of my problem, so much information and nothing to link it to. The instructors who actually designed their tests geared towards thier study guides. I did much better and managed to pass all their tests. Anyway just a thought. :rolleyes:

StarFish3 · Mar 17, 2011

I am taking pharmacology right now, and it's tough. I find that I have more success when A. In relation to the text book, I skim the disease process and 100 percent focus on the nursing aspects and teaching regarding that drug. and B. I study and memorize the instructor's lecture and his pertinent info. Reading the entire chapter can be a waste of time especially the longer ones. I find that doing the end of chapter NCLEX multiple choice reviews at the end of each chapter helps. Check your answers, read the rationales, and study from the rationales. Overstudy important concepts and special indications for drugs that are out of the norm. One of my instructors once told me that if you over study, you'll be more successful in test taking. Know the correct answer without a doubt. It will give you more confidence. And to the person who had the drug note card idea with the drug class, action, conraindications, adverse reactions, assessments and teaching, thank you. I will use that idea. Good luck to all.