Comprehensive Pharmacology Review for NCLEX

Apr 23, 2025

Pharmacology Review for NCLEX

Overview

  • Series of 10 videos covering pharmacology for NCLEX.
  • Focus on a list of about 50 important medications.
  • Each video covers 5 medications from the list.
  • Format: Question-based learning rather than traditional lecture.
  • Recommendation: Take notes or listen multiple times.

Medication Categories and Examples

Potassium Sparing Diuretics

  • Example: Spironolactone
  • Note: Avoid additional potassium intake (e.g., bananas).

Direct Vasodilators

  • Example: Hydralazine
  • Note: Recognize drugs not fitting other known categories.

ACE Inhibitors

  • Examples: Medications ending in "-pril"
  • Note: Know all "-pril" drugs as ACE inhibitors.

Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs)

  • Examples: Medications ending in "-sartan"

Beta Blockers

  • Examples: Medications ending in "-olol"

Potassium Wasting Diuretics

  • Examples: Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)
  • Note: Recognizable by "-ide" ending; these are diuretics that waste potassium.

Insulin Administration

Hypoglycemia Monitoring

  • Key Time: Watch for hypoglycemia at the peak of insulin action.
  • Regular Insulin Peak: 2 hours after administration.

Insulin Orders

  • Clarification vs. Questioning Orders:
    • Question: Look for potential harm to the patient.
    • Clarify: Look for incorrectly written orders (e.g., missing route or improper abbreviations).

Insulin Types

  • Glargine: No peak, given once or twice a day.
  • Regular Insulin: Administered AC/HS (before meals and at bedtime).
  • NPH Insulin: Intermediate acting, typically given twice a day.

Medication Considerations for Procedures

  • Metformin and Dye Procedures: Contraindicated when iodine dye is used (e.g., angiograms).

Fetal Heart Monitoring

Deceleration Types

  • Early Decelerations: Generally not problematic.
  • Late Decelerations: Problematic, requires intervention.
  • High Baseline Variability: Good.
  • Low Baseline Variability: Bad.
  • Low Fetal Heart Rate: Under 110 is considered low and concerning.

Intervention Order for Late Decelerations

  1. Turn off oxytocin.
  2. Position patient on left side.
  3. Apply oxygen.
  4. Notify obstetrician.

Additional Notes

  • Important to recognize patterns, such as problematic indicators having an "L" (e.g., late decelerations, low heart rate).
  • Stay updated with video series and announcements from Clement Reviews.

Conclusion

  • Encourage repeated review and active note-taking for all users.
  • Watch for future updates from Clement Reviews, including changes for next-generation exams.

Full transcript