Romanian graduate nurse taking Nclex-Rn

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Hi everyone:)

I graduated from nursing school in Romania, and then I moved in the U.S; after a long process of having my degree evaluated I'm finally able to take the Nclex-Rn. I took it twice so far and unfortunetly failed both times. As you probably know the nursing program is totally different from Romania, and as hard as I am trying to study on my own is like starting all over again. My weak section is pharmacology, so I was wondering if anyone out there can help me with this...any advise on how to memorize the medication and their side effects?(this is a very important section on passing the Nclex-Rn). Because, it took so long to get my degree evaluated my school is expiring in Aug, this summer and if I don't pass the Nclex, I'll have to go back to school:(( Thank you all!!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Hello and welcome to the site

I have moved this to the NCLEX forum where you will find many threads offering help including about drugs

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Specializes in Ambulatory.

We are in the same boat, I finished 14 years ago I took the NCLEX 2 times and I wll be taking it for the 3rd time in May. I was near the passing level both times :( but I'll take it until I pass.

This was posted by someone else in another thread.

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:

oAacados, 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:

KCL

Heparin

Ibuprofen

Insulin

Dobutamine

ASA

Albumin

Acetaminophen

-Insulin:

Rapid: lispro - onset

Short: Regular - onset ½ - 1 hr. Peak: 2-3hr. Duration: 4-6 hr

Int: NPH or Lente - onset: 2 hr. Peak 6-12 hr. Duration: 16-24hr

Long: Ultralente - onset 4-6 hr. Peak: 12-16 hr. Duration: >24hr

V.Long: Lantus - onset 1 hr. Peak: None. Duration: 24 hr continuous

-Anticholergic Side Effects:

Can't See

Can't Pee

Can't Spit

Can't Sh*t

-Hypocalcemia - CATS

Convulsions

Arrythmias

Tetany

Spasms & Stridor

-Hyper Kalemia Causes: 'MACHINE'

Medicationa (ace inhibitors, NSAIDS)

Acidosis (metabolic & repiratory)

Cellular destruction (burns, traumatic injuy)

Hypoaldosteronism, Hemolysis

Nephrons, renal failure

Excretion (impaired)

-Signs of increased K ' Murder'

Muscle weaknes

Urine - olyguria, anuria

Respiratory distress

Decreaed cardiac contractility

ECG Changes

Reflexes - hyperreflexia, or flaccid

-Substance Poisoning and Antidotes

Methanol -- Ethanol

CO2 -- Oxygen

Dopamine -- Phentolamine

oBenzo's (Versed) -- Flumazenil

Lead -- Succimer, Calcium Disodium

Iron -- Deferoxamine

Coumadin -- Vitamin K

Heparin -- Protamine Sulfate

Thorazine -- Cogentine

Wild Mushrooms - Atropine

Rat Poison - Vit K

-Parkland Formula: 4cc * Kg * BSA Burned = Total Volume Necessary

1st 8hrs - ½ total volume

2nd 8hrs - ¼ total volume

3rd 8 hrs - ¼ total volumes

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Thanks Soria, good luck to you in May. I hope you pass it!!

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Do you have your pharm text from school? If so, go back over it and make flashcards with the important points for each drug classification. Learn these, as well as at least one prototype drug for each classification, in addition to the material previously presented.

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Hi, I have my pharm book, but it is a Romanian book and the medications are different than here. I can buy a book if you have any suggestions? Thank you:)

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Hi Sorina,

I'm a graduate from 1978 and Romanian too. I didn't try to do the NCLEX, instead I enrolled in a American Nursing School being now in the middle. It is a huge difference between the two countries. I saw this doing clinicals in USA. However i would try to take the Nclex before I graduate. Can you tell me more about the acceptance to the Bord exam? My email:[email protected]

Cornelius

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Hi Sorina,

I'm a graduate from 1978 and Romanian too. I didn't try to do the NCLEX, instead I enrolled in a American Nursing School being now in the middle. It is a huge difference between the two countries. I saw this doing clinicals in USA. However i would try to take the Nclex before I graduate. Can you tell me more about the acceptance to the Bord exam? My email:[email protected]

Cornelius

Suggest you check out the BON website (links can be found at the bottom of the page) I would suggest you contact them before submitting your application, not sure what course you are doing with the American Nursing School but it may have a impact on your application.

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Hi,

I am a Romanian graduate nurse too (1988, Bacau), and I just recently was able to sit and pass the NCLEX. I moved to the States in 1998, I tried to have my credentials evaluated by CGFNS (http://www.cgfns.org/), but I was lacking credits to qualify to sit for NCLEX (I never got a clear answer as of what I was lacking..). I have learned that different states have different requirements, so I've sent an application for credentials evaluation to New York State Board of Nursing, and I was approved to sit for the exam. I passed it on my first try, and now I am enrolled in a RN to BSN/MSN bridge, soon to graduate. Don't give up, you know more than you think you do, just need to brush up and organize your thoughts. Try NCLEX for Dummies (can be purchased on Amazon.com), it really helped me to see the rationals behind the right answer, the though process, great material!

Good Luck!

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Hi everyone:)

I graduated from nursing school in Romania, and then I moved in the U.S; after a long process of having my degree evaluated I'm finally able to take the Nclex-Rn. I took it twice so far and unfortunetly failed both times. As you probably know the nursing program is totally different from Romania, and as hard as I am trying to study on my own is like starting all over again. My weak section is pharmacology, so I was wondering if anyone out there can help me with this...any advise on how to memorize the medication and their side effects?(this is a very important section on passing the Nclex-Rn). Because, it took so long to get my degree evaluated my school is expiring in Aug, this summer and if I don't pass the Nclex, I'll have to go back to school:(( Thank you all!!

Hi, zazutza, I had finished my Sanitary PostSecondary School in 2002 and now I'm student at Faculty (High-College of Nurse) in Romania in third year (four years of study) and I have 8 years of experience as nurse. Now, I want to come in USA but I don't know what to do, who need me, and who will accept me. Could you tell me, please, what can I do? Thanks!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Hi, zazutza, I had finished my Sanitary PostSecondary School in 2002 and now I'm student at Faculty (High-College of Nurse) in Romania in third year (four years of study) and I have 8 years of experience as nurse. Now, I want to come in USA but I don't know what to do, who need me, and who will accept me. Could you tell me, please, what can I do? Thanks!

Suggest you read the International forum on Retrogression and the several years wait for a immigrant visa as well as meeting US state requirements

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Hi!I finished nursing school in 2001. Have tried 2x the NCLEX no luck. I am trying for the 3rd time with Florida BON. They require a CES professional report. Fine! Now my problem is that I have to apply for a

whole new one ( even though I have a CES report), since they say that's

too old and now I need a Request for Validation of Registration/License/Certification document. I have no idea where I'm supposed to send it since I never practiced nursing back in Romania. HELP!!! :scrying:

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