Pharm Class

nlitened · May 4, 2015

Congrats! I loved Pharm! And I can't give you much advice because literally everyone in my class studied a different way, but I can tell you what worked for me. I studied directly off my professor's power points. I am not a flashcard or chart person. So for example, the endocrine system, I would draw a person and the organs/glands involved. Then around those organs/glands I would add the meds that affect them and the most unique side/adverse effect for that med.

I also color coded the notes I made on the power points, and recorded myself going over the meds.

Those things worked pretty well for me...got me an "A"...but you have to do what works best for you. And it may take some trial and error. But good luck and enjoy the class!

OrganizedChaos, LVN · May 5, 2015

Congrats! I loved Pharm! And I can't give you much advice because literally everyone in my class studied a different way, but I can tell you what worked for me. I studied directly off my professor's power points. I am not a flashcard or chart person. So for example, the endocrine system, I would draw a person and the organs/glands involved. Then around those organs/glands I would add the meds that affect them and the most unique side/adverse effect for that med.
I also color coded the notes I made on the power points, and recorded myself going over the meds.
Those things worked pretty well for me...got me an "A"...but you have to do what works best for you. And it may take some trial and error. But good luck and enjoy the class!

Thanks! I'm a very visual person so I'll try drawing out the person & everything you suggested. The whole class is online so I don't know if there will be power points or not.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · May 5, 2015

I take my final in pharm on Friday. I learned the classes. I looked at suffixes of drugs and related them to the classes of drugs. Like beta blockers are olol and the anxiety are the apam drugs such as lorazapam and clonzapam. I didn't learn each drug per say but pretty much could look at a drug and know what it was for. I learned mechanism of action and side effects. Those were my big things. I have an A going into the final so it's worked for me.

Dohardthings · May 5, 2015

Pharmacology for Success by Davis. Helps with the NCLEX style questions for Pharm.

aeris99 · May 5, 2015

Try to find out the professors style. Tune your study methods in to that.

I can post a list of tips that I just sent to a friend of mine which may get you started. But I'd suggest trying to find out how they teach before you get in there.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · May 5, 2015

I take my final in pharm on Friday. I learned the classes. I looked at suffixes of drugs and related them to the classes of drugs. Like beta blockers are olol and the anxiety are the apam drugs such as lorazapam and clonzapam. I didn't learn each drug per say but pretty much could look at a drug and know what it was for. I learned mechanism of action and side effects. Those were my big things. I have an A going into the final so it's worked for me.

Thanks SO much!!! That's such great advice!!!

OrganizedChaos, LVN · May 5, 2015

Pharmacology for Success by Davis. Helps with the NCLEX style questions for Pharm.

Thanks!! I will definitely get that book! :)

OrganizedChaos, LVN · May 5, 2015

Try to find out the professors style. Tune your study methods in to that.
I can post a list of tips that I just sent to a friend of mine which may get you started. But I'd suggest trying to find out how they teach before you get in there.

Could you post or message me the tips? That would be great! My ex actually just took the class & I'll ask him what the teaching style is. That's a great point, thanks!!!

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · May 5, 2015

Great tips nlitened . I am also a visual learner and have studied so far creating visual association/mnemonics. So far I have an A in the class and I think that drawing out pictures organs and matching to drug will help build my long term memory. :)

BTW how did you study for med surg?

aeris99 · May 5, 2015

Here you go. Hope it helps some!

record the lectures. write down the track number on the top of your notes so you can find the right one.

if your prof uses powerpoints:

print the slides 3 to a page w/the note lines. I do it at school because their printers don't smear when I highlight.

highlight the stuff thats emphasized (like nursing interventions)

take your notes on the ppts

listen to your lecture that night or next day while you type your notes into onenote or whatever word program you use

for med cards focus your info!

you need to know the generic name, common trade names and class (ie:beta blocker, statin, SSRI)

how it works, what it's for, when not to use it and then focus on assessment info.

Here's one straight from my notes

Adrenergic blockers: lyticâ€= to break down sympatholytics
Prototype: prazosin
- Used for: HTN, dysrhythmias, angina, HF, BPH, narrow-angle glaucoma, migraine
- Baseline Assessment:
  - HX-cardio, cerebro, resp and diabetes.
  - Baselines-VS, weight, cardiac monitoring
    - Labs: glucose, electrolytes and renal/hepatic function
  [*]Monitor during treatment:
  - VS, weight, cardiac/urinary output, orthostatic hypotension
  - Hold med if BP
  - Give 1^st dose @HS to avoid first-dose response
  - Glucose- more frequent monitoring of BG
  - Don't D/C abruptly=reflex tachy
  [*]What to watch for:
  - VS- bradycardia, hypotension, reflex tachycardia
  - CNS depression
  - Urinary actions suppressed (stream, emptying, hesitancy)
  - LOC and mood (depression)
  - Dysrhythmias, palpitations
  [*]Toxicity: (also antidote for OD if avail)
  - Severe hypotension, seizures, dysrhythmias/palpitations
  [*]Nursing:
  - Give 30 minutes prior to meal and bedtime when used to reduce GI motility
  - I&O, and urine retention a possible problem

Start memorizing these values now:

Normal values:

Sodium 134-145

Potassium 3.5-5

Calcium 8.5-10.5

Chloride 97-107

Magnesium 1.6-2.6

BUN 10-31

Creatinine- 0.5-1.2

Serum osmolality 275-295

Blood PH 7.35-7.45

Urine osmolality 250-900

Urine specific gravity 1,001-1,029

Urine ph 5.0-9.0

And these conditions:

Hyper/hypo: kalemia, natremia, calcemia, magnesemia, chloremia, phosphatemia

I made cards for each w/the levels, s/s, common causes and treatment but keep it brief

When you get to ABG's if you set the ranges up this way it makes it easier to interpret them.

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD]PH

[/TD]

[TD]7.35-7.45

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]PACO2

[/TD]

[TD]45-35

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]HCO3

[/TD]

[TD]22-26

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

Here's a website that really helped me get the hang of this. It's super confusing if no one shows you how to do it.

Survive Nursing | survivenursing.com

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · May 5, 2015

I also like to study the drugs by their classes, such as serotonin blockers, prokinetics, etc. and then note the specific drugs in that class. If a drug has unique things to watch for, such as ventricular dysrhythmias or bone marrow suppression, I'll associate that with the specific drug. Pharm is a really interesting class. I loved learning about it because it required me to think critically, especially when it came to contraindications and special considerations. I'm going to spend the summer brushing up on it. :) Good luck! There are many tricks and tips, but you have to just find what works best for you.