Pharm test

are you in first level? if so, this is normal for most people but Atleast now you have an idea on how the questions are asked so you can adjust your studying.

OMG I just bomb my first pharm test really bad. I can not stop crying. I don't even know what to do right now:crying2:

How many did you need to know? I need to learn 180 by december!

Start by downloading my flash cards: https://allnurses.com/nursing-student-assistance/pharmacology-flashcards-595483.html

Study them several times per day, every day, including right when you awaken and just prior to sleeping.

Also, seek to understand the therapeutic classes of medications and why they do what they do.

It's cool. So many students in my pharm class struggled. I did okay on the first test, but was mortified when I got the results from the second test. So for you... you can only go up! Now you know what the tests are like. A lot of students do flash cards. My teacher got us started on mindmaps. The first week she gave us an 80% complete mindmap and then weaned us off the first few weeks to making our own from scratch.

The mind map may help more than flashcards, because it's visual. You think about a category of drugs and memorize the drugs in the category and the basic things for ALL (or most) of the drugs in that category, then you move on to the classes or quirky drug specific details. For example: in the middle, big/bold all diuretics make you pee. Diuretics can be used to treat fluid overload, hypertension, edema, heart failure. The BIG watchout is hyponatremia (possibly potassium imbalances too). Diuretics work in the kidneys. It's important to monitor BP, I&O, weight, relevant labs, etc. when a pt. is on diuretics. Then you branch out to the different classes of diuretics: thiazide, loop, potassium-sparing. For each class list the reason for use, special considerations, mech. of action, and drugs. Then you can make *special notes about specific drugs.

I am starting to wonder if anything I wrote make sense... but I'm sure you've done a mind map before. For me, the mind map just helped to break it all down, I could work on little chunks, and come test time I might literally close my eyes and try to picture the mind map and it actually could help me remember those quirky details!

Well, I know you're upset, but you CAN do this. Channel that energy into something positive

I really appreciate everyone of you. I'm starting to feel better:)