Side effects of Drugs in exam! HELP Please!

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hi!

for those who passed nclex, when you were given question about the side effect or adverse effect of a certain drug and you have no clue,which answer do you usually pick? is there any tip or clue in choosing the right answer in pharm?

i'm testing next week.. please help!:confused:

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To paint a perfectly honest picture: I did exceedingly well in pharm class, to the point of ACTUALLY LIKING IT *gasp*! Took the NCLEX PN on tuesday, I knew what TWO drugs out of probably 10 were. I usually choose the answer that indicates they're about to lose consciousness or the one that would put them in the greatest danger (and this algorithm is probably not the best, but it seems to have the best chance of being correct for me), such as a very good practice question I always remember, "Your client has been prescribed Viagra, what statement by the client would indicate the need for further teaching?" a) I'll take it on a regular schedule, b)I'll make sure and drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication, c)I'll make sure to stand up slowly while taking this medication, or d) I'll be sure to take my antihypertensives while taking my Viagra. Well, no antihypertensives w/ Viagra plz! He'd fall, maybe hit is head, etc. Safety, right? Sometimes it is HARD to pick when you have NO clue what the drug is, the suffixes helped me a LITTLE, especially when I had not heard of either the generic or trade name. I would just try to know general categories, their suffixes and any HUGE no-no-s. This seemed to be the theme in the NCLEX 3500 software; the worst thing that could happen to the pt was the answer. Hope I *kinda* helped!:heartbeat

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Thanks for the tips!

Can anyone share some tips in answering drug administration teaching if you have no clue of the drug?

I'm testing on friday the 2nd try so please help me with this...:(

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Specializes in Adolescent & Adult Psychiatry.
Thanks for the tips!

Can anyone share some tips in answering drug administration teaching if you have no clue of the drug?

I'm testing on friday the 2nd try so please help me with this...:(

Hi There!

I'm just speaking on the few things I remembered from studying for the test. Most of the answer choices with regards to med administration involves the patient taking medication with food; with the exception of osteoporosis-type meds (usually, one needs to take it on an empty stomach and they must remain upright for 30 min).

The majority of side effects are GI problems (i.e. diarrhea, constipation, N/V, etc). These are typical, but if constant, the drug should be discontinued.

Cardiac and Cholesterol meds typical involve taking VS before administration and if the patient's pulse is below 60 or if the B/P is low then the meds should not be given.

Honestly, that's all I can remember right now, but just keep in mind the main points and side effects of meds, even if you don't know them...

1. Majority is taken with food/fluids to decrease GI symptoms.

2. Take VS before to make sure everything is stable.

3. Side effects are mainly GI related, however, if neuro symptoms develop (i.e. dizziness, double vision, tremors) then the medication should be stopped immediately.

4. Unless it's an obvious sleeping pill (i.e. ambien) then the patient should be taught not to lie down after taking meds. Instead, remain upright for at least 30 min.

That's all I have for now. If I remember more then I'll let you know. In all actuality, the answer choice on the test were pretty identifiable because the answer typically involved the patient doing something silly, and thus was not the right thing to teach them!

NurseThis21, BSN, RN :nurse:

UIC Alumna

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Hey!

I took the NCLEX once already (ugh.) and will be taking it again in Sept. I noticed that a lot of my questions were meds.. and mostly meds I had never even heard of. I spent a lot of my time trying to study meds (and getting overwhelmed)-- only to go take the test and realize that only a few of the meds I had studied were on the test. GREAT. Also, because I wasn't doing well on the exam, I started to get "Comprehension" level questions that were medication/administration (but probably also categorized under safety for purposes of the NCLEX) and they were literally formatted like this: The nurse administering XYZ for the client should monitor for:" and then the choices. Absolutely NO clue was given in the question as to what the med may be, and since I didn't know the med-- I was basically stuck.

BUT, after re-focusing my study efforts (and with the help of a tutor) I've gained a little more insight as to what to do in those "OH SHOOT" moments. Hopefully this will help me to pass on my second time around this Sept.!

1) Read the question thoroughly first. Look at what is being asked.

2) Try to figure out the med (like by the suffix)

3) Read the answer choices: does anything sound life-threatening or particularly harmful? (Remember ABC gets first priority)

4) Don't pick Nausea, Vomiting or Diarrhea (unless persistent or bloody)

5) In a young or elderly patient especially, liver functioning should be monitored

6) Usually, you take a medication with meals

7) Take bronchodialtors before steroids

8) Never stop a medication abruptly

Ummm and that's all I can think of at the moment but I'll come back and post more when I do. I just really freak out about meds and what to study and if I'm doing enough-- so I'm happy to help out a little because I know I'M freaking out!

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NurseThis21 and in.the.middle, Thank you So much!:wink2:

These tips will help a lot and i will keep them & remember them on my upcoming exam.

I know many have fears in Pharm. :confused: so if ever they read these they will also appreciate it.

God Bless you!

Any additional tips are welcome..Thanks!

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

Aside from allergic reactions, lots of side effects fall into the category of "too much of a good thing." Categorize the drugs as to what they're for. Then think if what too much of this might be. For instance, Ativan is for calming. Too much calming would be drowsiness. Does that help?

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Aside from allergic reactions, lots of side effects fall into the category of "too much of a good thing." Categorize the drugs as to what they're for. Then think if what too much of this might be. For instance, Ativan is for calming. Too much calming would be drowsiness. Does that help?

thanks whispera! ofcoorifice it helps. my main problem is what if i can't even identify the med?like if i have no clue,can't even identify it by the suffix.. that's our common problem:(...

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Specializes in Med-surg,ICU, Cardiac.

I think the best thing for you to do is to learn your categories (i.e.-beta-blockers is the drugs with "olol" in the name and your ACE inhibitors are most drugs with "pril" in them and so on) also you need to learn the side effects and what to teach your patients. This will help I took the NCLEX-RN last week and I passed I have also been a LPN for 11 years. This will really help.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

There are many threads discussing Pharmacology and this may be a good starting point https://allnurses.com/nclex-discussion-forum/i-made-pharm-215872.html

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nice thread! ill take note of this thread.

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