Pharm test #1 on Friday and my study guide is 47 pg long!!

Can you give us an example of a case study or question you've had difficulty with?

It's not one particular question per say, it's the idea of taking the info I've learned in class about a drug class for example, and being given a patient with a problem, and asking how is this drug going to affect this patient.

The best way I learned pharm in nursing school is to make a chart of the drugs according to their drug classification (e.g. beta blockers, tricyclics, opiates, NSAIDS, etc.). Know what the purpose of the drug classification is (usually based on it's mechanism of action), common side effects and any major drug interactions. Every drug class has these aspects in common, and is definitely easier to remember than the meds alone. I think if you can grasp the concept of what the drug class does, alternatively, you can understand the side effects of that drug and its contraindications with other meds/situations.

Examples:

1)Opiates are for pain...what side effects do you think of when you think of narcs? Sedation, respiratory depression, nausea, dizziness, hypotension, etc.

2)Anti-hypertensives (multiple classes)...what does it do? Decreases your BP right? So would you give this to a patient who is hypovolemic?

3)SSRIs...what's one huge thing to look out since they block the reuptake of serotonin? Serotonin syndrome, know how to recognize the signs/symptoms of this.

These examples aren't in depth descriptions of the drug classes, but you get the idea.

If your school was anything like mine, we had to make flash cards...which did nothing except waste my time copying word for word what's in the drug book.

THANK YOU NightOwlPsyRN . Your post is very helpful. I am in a LVN program and taking Pharm. Your study tools will help because I am a need to see the 'big picture' person. Also, my teacher gave the class a graphic organizer where you input drug name , what it does, and nursing process info....if you like I can try and post it on here :)

That would be so helpful if you could post it here! Thank you both so much for your advice!!

not sure how to make it smaller? I can email it to you instead as well :)

That's perfect! Oh my god thank you!

your welcome. my professor gave them to us and I figure these may be helpful :)