Pass the NCLEX with these 3 Tips

 

Repost from https://thenerdynurse.com/

 

 

1. Learn the Prefixes and Suffixes

Many NCLEX medications with the same types of prefixes and suffixes are very similar, and if you know something about the group of them it may be enough information to answer an NCLEX question. For example, if you know that beta blockers usually in end “lol” and decrease heart rate, force of contraction, and rate of A-V conduction, then you can likely assume that the medication Atenolol falls in this category. Consequently, you could probably assume that it would be contraindicated to give to a patient with a low heart rate. This is not correct every time, but it is a good general rule of thumb. If you learn these basic elements of medications names, you’ll have a huge edge when doing your NCLEXpharmacology review.

2. Have Multiple Study Methods

It is best to have multiple types of study methods to learn all the medications you need to know to pass the NCLEX. You should be reading, listening, watching, discussing, practicing calculations, and teaching others. Studying in several different ways is important because:

We Learn . . .

10% of what we read

20% of what we hear

30% of what we see

50% of what we see and hear

70% of what we discuss

80% of what we experience

95% of what we teach others.

-William Glasser

 

3. Take Shortcuts When You Can

One of the hardest things about learning pharmacology for the NCLEX is the sheer volume of information. There are more drugs than any reasonable human being could be expected to know. Figuring out which drugs you will actually be tested on is difficult. In fact, Jon Haws, RN, CCRN said that he wrote down every single medication featured on the ATI tests to determine the medications to include in 140 Must Know Meds. This is time and effort that many nursing students don’t have. The small price of his book and now his course, MedMaster, are well worth the price to get super focused on the areas are pharmacology that you must know.