Studying Pharmacology

[JamieS26]

I have 2 semesters left until I take Pharmacology but I recently bought an NCLEX pharmacology study guide and it says that all we will need to know for the NCLEX is generic name, purpose, and medication category. For example, Lorazepam is an mental health medication usd to treat anxiety, irritability in psychiatric or organic disorders, treatment of insomnia, adjunct to endoscopic procedures; preoperative medication... and Clarithromycin is an antiinfective used to treat respiratory infections, pharyngitis/tonsillitis, and sinusitis. Before I start making crazy in depth flash cards, does this sound right? The book includes other information, such as Brand names, possible side effects, and nursing considerations which I am sure are extremely helpful to know, but impossible to remember in depth alongside all the other information.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

I would add any unique side effects such as Pyridium and Rifampin which turn urine orange. Also know any med that is contraindicated with grapefruit such as Lipitor, Procardia, Zocor.

[HopefulGradNurse, RN]

I would add any unique side effects such as Pyridium and Rifampin which turn urine orange. Also know any med that is contraindicated with grapefruit such as Lipitor, Procardia, Zocor.

This and focus on interactions with foods, herbs, tyramine and severe adverse effects of meds aka Steven Johnson Syndrome. More than likely, when you take the NCLEX you'll see some drugs that you know/recognize and then you'll see a few drugs that have 8 syllables to them which you've never heard of or seen anything like them in your life.

[Dreamofjeann]

TBH, I had made flash cards piled with pharmacy info and never really learned long term things while using them. They were helpful to cram though.

Instead of making your own flash cards you can just use other people's on Quizlet.

But the main thing that I think will help with memorization is making connections. Such as mnemonics and instead of memorizing each generic, looking at the suffix can give you info for what that med is for. I think looking at the big picture with meds are more helpful than memorizing really small details (except for important/unique info like rifampin and orange urine or fluroquinolones and Achilles' tendon rupture)