Question re pharmacology testing for HH application

[suziwin]

Hi everyone!

I am going in for pre-employment testing on Tuesday for a HH registery. They are going to require a pharmacology test prior to my employment. Does anyone have any experience with this process? Do they test your knowledge on drugs or test you on dosage calculations or both? I just wanted to bone up on my knowledge so that I can be prepared to do a good job on the test. I'd really appreciate any input. (i.e. the basic classes of drugs they test you on, etc.)

P.S. I've surfed the web for practice tests on pharmacology for nurses and came up with nothing! Thanks in advance!!

[hoolahan, ASN, RN]

Hi Suzi,

Of course every agency is different, but it is probably the same tye of NCLEX med question test that you'd take in a hospital, etc... It just tests your broad range of med knowledge.

I home care you will have pt's taking al kinds of meds and do med-planner prefills, so I would imagine dosage calc's would be on there. If it is the standard test I have taken at different places a few times, it will even have IV drip calc's, like 2-3 questions, even though I have never hung a drip in my HH agency.

The questions will likely be on Digoxin, dose, side effects, when to take a BP before what meds, Lasix questions, I remember some questions on general chemo info, etc

It wasn't hard, but there were questions I didn't know because I simply had not given those drugs , so I just wrote in the margin, have never given, would need to check PDR , etc...

It is really a pretty basic comprehensive test from what I remember. Nothing to worry about.

Now if your agency does Infusion therapy, you may have a whole different type of test.

Hope that helped a little. :)

[Claver]

Hi Suzi,

I have taken a few tests for HH with visiting nurse etc. It is a basic test with calculations, IV, side effects etc. You should be able to get through it.

[cherricka]

Mine asked about what order to administer inhaler's, some simple drug calculations, Digoxin, Lasix, b/p medications, diabetic meds, including insulin, steroids, antibiotic use,nebulizers,etc. Mostly medications for the common things you see in Home Care, COPD, CHF Diabetes, HTN, CABG, Pneumonia, Seizure disorders,CAD, Parkinsons, etc. Hope this helps.

[renerian, BSN, RN]

I have done both types of tests.

renerian