Pharmacology in prep for NCLEX

[babygerri]

I am a second year nursing student, set to graduate in May 2011. The nursing program that I attend has been changing, and the pharmacology class is no longer available to take in the ADN program. Although it is one less class to attend, I feel that it would have been a valuable asset. The pharmacology aspect was supposed to be "integrated" into the nursing program. Possibly, because this is such a new change, this "integration" has not had all of the kinks worked out just yet, but the issue I have is that I feel in no way prepared for many medication questions on NCLEX. (The only way to take the pharmacology class is if you are in the PN program as a co-requisite!!)

SO... I am now attempting to "make my own" pharmacology class, but need some assistance on an organized way to learn the medications. I have my drug book, but meds are not in sections by classes -just ABC order ...

Any suggestions??

[CBsMommy]

I would highly suggest getting an actual pharm book and not just a drug guide to study from. Check your school library and although that will be an older edition, you can still start to learn your classes of drugs and what they do. Good luck!

[Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN]

I agree w/ CBsMommy. If the library doesn't have what you're looking for check Amazon.com. Many times you can find books fairly cheap. I'm still trying to work my head around no pharm class. We have to take 2 semesters of patho/pharm.

[Sand_Dollar, BSN]

Although I don't start my pharm class until spring, the book we will be using is Lehne's "Pharmacology for Nursing Care". There is a study guide that you can get to go along with it. Maybe that can give you an idea what to look for.

[babygerri]

Thank you all for your thoughts!! I will have to look for those books. :) IDK the reason for the change... I only don't want to be a casualty of it.

[thatsthekeyRNC]

From what I've heard, most ADN programs don't have pharm classes because like you said, they like to integrate it into the other classes. It's hard to tell if it's better or worse! haha

The bsn program I'm in has an actual pharm class (I just finished it, yay!), but the material is also covered in each clinical course. I look at it as a general understanding or a foundation to build on, and I loved the class. I do think you're smart for wanting to teach yourself, and I definitely think it will help you!

In my class we went by body system and focused on the major drug classes in each.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

I also second getting an actual pharmacology book. Study from that, and make notecards and group drugs on the different classes, which most of the time have the same suffix. For example, beta blockers end in -lol, ACE-inhibitors end in -pril, etc. So if you come across a drug you don't know, look at the suffix which will tell you the class and you should be able to tell the common side effects, precautions, nursing interventions, pt teaching stuff, etc. The NCLEX will give you both the brand and generic name of the drug!