Scared!!! I take it Tuesday

Published

I'm so scared. I take the NCLEX on Tuesday Feb. 8th and I've been practicing with Kaplan. I've been getting 59 to 65% as of recently. I am terrible at pharmacology. I'm really stressing out I guess. Everyone says, you'll do just fine. But as you all know this does nothing to reassure you that you'll indeed pass. Any last minute advice? :chair:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Relax the day prior. Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I take mine Wednesday, Feb 9th. Good luck-- I wish you well! Let's hope we can both come back with positive news. I am also pretty bad at pharmacology because there is just so much to remember.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pedi, Geri, Hospice, Corrections.

Know your lab vaules of your lytes. and RELAX!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've been working on getting down my lab values. So far I have the basics done and a few of the medications. Practicing hundreds of questions. Its just all very overwhelming. I'm sure I'm driving all my friends and family crazy because I am so stressed out. I know I'm babbling. All I keep thinking is... it's to test minimal competency right? :) My school does have a very good pass rate for NCLEX but you just never know.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Make sure you relax the day before your exam. Have a nice dinner, watch a movie, go shopping, get plenty of rest. Best of luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you're getting those scores on Kaplan you will do fine! Still, continue to study the basic's and learn about all the essentials! I got 54% on my Q trainer 7 and passed the NCLEX @ 111 questions. Those q-trainer's are tough! don't think to heavily about them, just use them as practice, and review what you get wrong.

Also, as everyone is saying be sure to take the whole day prior to the exam off! It is a must!!!!!

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
If you're getting those scores on Kaplan you will do fine! Still, continue to study the basic's and learn about all the essentials! I got 54% on my Q trainer 7 and passed the NCLEX @ 111 questions. Those q-trainer's are tough! don't think to heavily about them, just use them as practice, and review what you get wrong.

Also, as everyone is saying be sure to take the whole day prior to the exam off! It is a must!!!!!

Good luck!

Hi Jw how else u studied. I also am taking kaplan. My test is on the 23. I've taken all the questions and trainers. Sp now I'm just going to go and redo.them. hoping.that will help me out somehow.

Did you just do the qs. Did you find kaplan helpful w nclex?

My banks were 54

Trainer 6 was 64

And trainer 7 was 58

I also retook my readiness and got a 68 on it

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just took the nclex this past Thursday and I passed with 75 questions, I was getting about the same score on Kaplan tests too. Like everybody else said try to relax, i know it's hard but if you stress too much over it your going to over think every question. As far as drugs go, I had two questions about drugs and they were fairly easy. Just know what class of drugs do. Here is some drug info I found on this website maybe it will help! 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

*Digoxin- don't give if heart rate

*-Don't give non-selective beta-blockers to patients w/respiratory problems (anything ending in olol)

*-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 (increases chance of respiratory arrest)

*-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 (0.5-1.5)

*-MAOI Patients should avoid tyramine:

⁃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 (dilates the eye)

*-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 (mucamyst is used to protect the kidneys)

*-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 (antacids)- 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

*ASA and insulin interact with each other and cause Hypoglycemia

*Glucagon decreases the effects of anti-coagulants.

*-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 = Epinephrine

*-Med of choice for CHF is Ace inhibitor. (anything ending in Pril)

*-Med of choice for anaphylactic shock is Epinephrine

*-Med of choice for Status Epilepticus is Valium.

*-Med of choice for bipolar is lithium. (0.5-1.5)

*-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 evening

*-Common Tricyclic Meds - 3 syllabes (pamelor, elavil)

*-Common MAOI's - 2 syllables (nardil, marplan)

*Antipsychotic drugs ending in Zine can cause extrapyramidal effects: pseudo parkinsonism, akathisia, dystonia, tardive dykinesia. Tx EPS with Congentin, Benadryl, Ativan, Klonipin and Inderal

*-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.

*Antibiotics with sulfa in the generic name: watch for ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity

*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

*Benzo'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

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you all for your advice. I took my question trainer 7 yesterday and got a 61% on it. Today is my last day studying so instead of focusing on repetative questions I am going to work on studying the stuff I am still struggling on. (lab values, pharmacology, immunizations, and misc. topics) I will definetely post if I get a good poop up or not. Today of course is the Super Bowl and my team is the Green and Gold. :D So that's where I'll be at tonight. You all said I have to have some fun and relax prior to my exam :D Thank you for all the Pharm info. I will be printing that and adding it to my notebook I have of random things I need to study for Tuesday. Wish me luck.

Twinessa1

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Medicine.
Thank you all for your advice. I took my question trainer 7 yesterday and got a 61% on it. Today is my last day studying so instead of focusing on repetative questions I am going to work on studying the stuff I am still struggling on. (lab values, pharmacology, immunizations, and misc. topics) I will definetely post if I get a good poop up or not. Today of course is the Super Bowl and my team is the Green and Gold. :D So that's where I'll be at tonight. You all said I have to have some fun and relax prior to my exam :D Thank you for all the Pharm info. I will be printing that and adding it to my notebook I have of random things I need to study for Tuesday. Wish me luck.

Twinessa1

Good luck! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yay for the green and gold!!! :) Think positive thoughts, goodluck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion