Pharmacology

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My major weakness seems to be pharmacology, which I'm sure many people feel the same way. Does anyone have any tips for remembering all of these medications?

I also struggle with electrolyte imbalances and endocrine/metabolic disorders (i.e. hypothyroidism vs hyperthyroidism, hypoparathyroidism vs hyperparathyroidism, cushing's vs addison's). I tend to mix up symptoms and forget which symptoms correlate with overactivity and which symptoms correlate with insufficiency.

My test is a little over a week away and I'm getting nervous since this information is all over the practice tests but yet it doesn't stick in my brain. I'm wondering if there is any advice or tips/tricks for remembering this stuff. It's hard not knowing what to expect when you walk in for the real thing.

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If you have identified these two areas, then you probably should focus there in the time you have left. Wishing you good luck.

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Specializes in NICU.

I was super scared about Pharmacology as well. This is super random, but it helped me. I went to Youtube, and searched NCLEX Pharmacology review. There are videos by a lady named AGONSHO. They are very helpful. It helped me with a couple of questions on the NCLEX. Hope it helps

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I will check that out - thanks!

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

here is a little something i found on this website. (i am not sure who the author is so i can give them the credit for it.) it's just a summed up version of pharm. good luck!

pharmacology - know indication/action/effect

prefix/suffix

-ase = thrombolytic

-azepam = benzodiazepine

-azine = antiemetic; phenothiazide

-azole = proton pump inhibitor, antifungal

-barbital = barbiturate

-coxib = cox 2 enzyme blockers

-cep/-cef = anti-infectives

-caine = anesthetics

-cillin = penicillin

-cycline = antibiotic

-dipine = calcium channel blocker

-floxacin = antibiotic

-ipramine = tricyclic antidepressant

-ine = reverse transcriptase inhibitors, antihistamines

-kinase = thrombolytics

-lone, pred- = corticosteroid

-mab = monoclonal antibiotics

-micin = antibiotic, aminoglycoside

-navir = protease inhibitor

nitr-, -nitr- = nitrate/vasodilator

-olol = beta antagonist

-oxin = cardiac glycoside

-osin = alpha blocker

-parin = anticoagulant

-prazole = ppi’s

-phylline = bronchodilator

-pril = ace inhibitor

-statin = cholesterol lowering agent

-sartan = angiotensin ii blocker

-sone = glucocorticoid, corticosteroid

-stigmine = cholinergics

-terol = beta 2 agonist

-thiazide = diuretic

-tidine = antiulcer

-trophin = pituitary hormone

-vir = anti-viral, protease inhibitors

-zosin = alpha 1 antagonist

-zolam = benzo/sedative

-zine = antihistamine

pharm facts

- don’t give non-selective beta-blockers to patients w/respiratory problems

- vitamin c can cause false +ive occult blood

- avoid the ‘g’ herbs (ginsing, ginger, ginko, garlic) when on anti-clotting drugs (coumadin, asa, plavix, etc)

- asa toxicity can cause ringing of the ears

- no narcotics to any head-injury victims

- mg2+ toxicity is treated with calcium gluconate

- do not give calcium-channel blockers with grapefruit juice

- oxytocin is never administered through the primary iv

- lithium patients must consume extra sodium to prevent toxicity

- maoi patients should avoid tyramine:

o aacados, bananas, beef/chicken liver, caffeine, red wine, beer, cheese (except cottage cheese), raisins, sausages, pepperoni, yogurt, sour cream.

- don’t give atropine for glaucoma – it increases iop

- don’t give ant-acids with food -- b/c it delays gastric emptying.

- don’t give stadol to methadone/heroin preggo’s -- cause instant withdrawal symptoms

- insulin – clear before cloudy

- don’t give meperidine (demerol) to pancreatitis patients

- always verify bowel sounds when giving kayexelate

- hypercalcemia = hypophosphatemia (and vice versa)

- radioactive dye – urine excretion

- signs of toxic ammonia levels is asterixis (hands flapping)

- d10w can be substituted for tpn (temporary use)

- dopamine and lasix are incompatible

- hypoglycemic shivers can be stopped by holding the limb, seizures cannot (infants)

- common symptom of aluminum hydroxide – constipation

- thiazide diuretics may induce hyperglycemia

- take iron with vit c – it enhances absorbtion – do not take with milk

- b1 - for alcoholic patients (to prevent wernicke’s encephalopathy & korsakoff’s synd)

- b6 - for tb patients

- b9 - for pregnant patients

- b12 - pernicious anemia, vegetarians.

- complications of coumadin - 3h’s - hemorrhage, hematuria & hepatitis

- ffp is administered to dic b/c of the clotting fx

- mannitol (osmtic diuretic [head injury]) crystallizes at room temp – use a filter needle

- antianxiety medication is pharmacologically similar to alcohol –used for weaning tx

- administrate glucagon when pt is hypoglycemia and unresponsive

- phenazopyridine ( pyridium)--urine will appear orange

- rifampicin -- red-urine, tears, sweat)

- hot and dry = sugar high (hyperglycemia)

- cold and clammy = need some candy (hypoglycemia)

- med of choice for v-tach is lidocaine

- med of choice for svt = adenosine or adenocard

- med of choice for asystole = atropine

- med of choice for chf is ace inhibitor.

- med of choice for anaphylactic shock is epinephrine

- med of choice for status epilepticus is valium.

- med of choice for bipolar is lithium.

- give ace inhibitors w/food to prevent stomach upset

- administer diuretics in the morning

- give lipitor at 1700 since the enzymes work best during the evenin

- common tricyclic meds - 3 syllabes (pamelor, elavil)

- common maoi’s - 2 syllables (nardil, marplan)

- tpn has a dedicated line & cannot be mixed ahead of time

- rhogam -- given at 28 weeks & 72 hrs postpartum

- do not administer erythromycin to multiple sclerosis pt

- benadryl and xanax taken together will cause additive effects.

- can't take lasix if allergic to sulfa drugs.

- acetaminophen can be used for headache when the client is using nitroglycerin.

- dilantin - can not give with dextrose. only give with ns.

addison is skinny ( hypoglycemic, you get weight loss, you got weakness, and you get postural hypotn) cushing is fat ( hyperglycemic, you get moon face big cheeks, and you retain a lot of na and fluid)

- never give via ivp:

o kcl

o heparin

o ibuprofen

o insulin

o dobutamine

o asa

o albumin

o acetaminophen

- insulin:

o rapid: lispro – onset

o short: regular – onset ½ - 1 hr. peak: 2-3hr. duration: 4-6 hr

o int: nph or lente – onset: 2 hr. peak 6-12 hr. duration: 16-24hr

o long: ultralente – onset 4-6 hr. peak: 12-16 hr. duration: >24hr

o v.long: lantus – onset 1 hr. peak: none. duration: 24 hr continuous

- anticholergic side effects:

o can’t see

o can’t pee

o can’t spit

o can’t sh*t

- hypocalcemia – cats

o convulsions

o arrythmias

o tetany

o spasms & stridor

- hyper kalemia causes: ‘machine’

o medicationa (ace inhibitors, nsaids)

o acidosis (metabolic & repiratory)

o cellular destruction (burns, traumatic injuy)

o hypoaldosteronism, hemolysis

o nephrons, renal failure

o excretion (impaired)

- signs of increased k ‘ murder’

o muscle weaknes

o urine – olyguria, anuria

o respiratory distress

o decreaed cardiac contractility

o ecg changes

o reflexes – hyperreflexia, or flaccid

- substance poisoning and antidotes

o methanol -- ethanol

o co2 -- oxygen

o dopamine -- phentolamine

o benzo’s (versed) -- flumazenil

o lead -- succimer, calcium disodium

o iron -- deferoxamine

o coumadin -- vitamin k

o heparin -- protamine sulfate

o thorazine -- cogentine

o wild mushrooms - atropine

o rat poison - vit k

- parkland formula: 4cc * kg * bsa burned = total volume necessary

o 1st 8hrs – ½ total volume

o 2nd 8hrs – ¼ total volume

o 3rd 8 hrs – ¼ total volumes

hope it helps!!! good luck!

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That's awesome! Going to print it out for my husband! Thanks :)

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Thanks for the help. My test is Saturday and I'm getting VERY nervous! I have been using Hogan's book to prep (and I took her course - she was one of my college professors!) and I get between 75%-85% of questions correct on her practice tests. Also I used ExamCram and took the practice tests for that which "predicts" that I will pass. But I still feel very unsure and anxious. I guess that's normal though!

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

Good luck! Tell yourself you got this! Remember stay calm, read the question thoroughly, and utilize your breaks.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

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hello i just took the nclex pn again for the 3rd time 2day I AM SO NERVOUS AND SCARED i got all the questions 205 both my 1st and 2nd time didnt pass only had one weakness both times the others i was good at and 2day the pc shut off around 190-195 i jus pray i passed i've been so depressed its rly hurts when u study hard and almost everyday out the weak and get all the questions and still fail URGHHHH plz pray for me everyone!!!

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

My thoughts and prayers are with you Kperry:)

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