Pharmacology Help - w/ the heart

[SNLou84]

Hi everyone. I have a test this week. I received an A on my first test but a D on my second one. I am so scared I am not going to pass this class. For me, this class is the hardest one I have ever taken.

My test is on Antimicrobial Therapy and Drugs that affect the heart, blood vessels, and blood.

Both powerpoint packets have 33 pages each and have 6 little slides on each page so the material is LENGTHY!

I feel so overwhelmed and I am not sure what is the important information as our teacher does not really break it down for us or give us a study guide like the other Pharm class gets.

I am more worried about the heart packet - she discusses:

drugs acting on the Regin-angiotensin-aldosterone system

ace inhibitors (function/adverse effects/types/what to watch for/etc)

ARB's

calcium channel blockers and the diff drugs such as verapamil and nifedipine

vasodilators

drugs for hypertension

primary, secondary hypertension,

classes of antihyperintensive drugs

Alpha1 receptor blockers (all the diff. types)

beta adrenergic blockers

drugs for heart failure

ace inhibitors again

diuretics

beta blockers

inotropic agents

digoxin

antidysrthmic drugs

dysrhythmias

class1 sodium channel blockers

class 1b agents

xylocaine

class II beta blockers

class III potassium channel blockers

class IV calcium channel blockers

adenosine

adrenergic agonists

prophylaxis of coronary heart disease

drugs that lower LDL cholesterol levels

cholesterol testing

classes of lipoproteins

lipid lowering drugs

statin

dosing

HMG CoA Reductase inhibitor

bile acid-binding resins

nicotinic acid

fibric acid derivatives

zetia

drugs for angina pectoris

nitrates**

routes of administration for it

watch for

beta blockers

calcium channel blockers

revascularization therapy

prevention of MI & Death

Anticoagulant, antiplatelet, and thrombolytic drugs

heparin

warfarin

diff bw veins/arteries and what drugs

thrombosis

coumadin

management of ST elevation myocardial infarction

reperfusion therapy

adjunct drug therapy

complications of MI

Non drug therapy of MI

Drugs for Hemophilia

drugs for def. anemias

iron def. anemias

iron preps

vit b12 def.

vit b12 preps

cyanocobalamin

folic acid anemia

causes and consequences

hematopoietic and thrombopoietic growth factors

epoetin alfa

leukopoietic growth factors

thrombopoietic growth factor

See what I mean....ITS INSANE. And there are about 10 little details and a couple slides information for each one. I am OVERWHELMED. And that is just the heart packet!

So basically I was wondering from those who have taken this class, what are the really important topics I should focus on for the test? What topics really need to be known or are pretty general so I know what to study. Any information or help is appreciated!!

Thanks!

[Rednights]

I'm sorry to say ALL of it is important. You just have to start studying hardcore early. I must say that does indeed look like a wicked test though. I got tested on most of those things you listed, but they weren't clumped into such a huge test such as yours. There's no shortcuts to be taken, if you do you will miss out on information and you'll just kick yourself when that specific question comes up to haunt you again.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

there's a whole website on cardiovascular pharmacology: http://www.cvpharmacology.com/index.html - cardiovascular pharmacology concepts

here is another website for pharmacy students where you will find some pathophysiology and explanation of the mechanisms of actions for some of the different drugs (all drugs, not just cardiac): http://www.pharmacology2000.com/learning2.htm

[SNLou84]

Thank you Daytonite, you are so nice! :)