Nclex Tips

Medication Classifications You’ll Need to Know

• Antacids – Reduce hydrochloric acid located in the stomach.
• Antianemics – Increases the production of red blood cells.
• Anticholinergics – Decreases oral secretions.
• Anticoagulants – Prevents the formation of clots.
• Anticonvulsants – Management of seizures or bipolar disorders.
• Antidiarrheals – Reduce water in bowels and gastric motility.
• Antihistamines – Blocks the release of histamine.
• Antihypertensives – Decreases blood pressure.
• Anti-infectives – To get rid of infections.
• Bronchodilators – Dilates the bronchi and bronchioles.
• Diuretics – Increases excretion of water/sodium from body.
• Laxatives – Loosens stools and increases bowel movements.
• Miotics – Constricts pupils of the eye.
• Mydriatics – Dilates the pupils.
• Narcotics/analgesics – Relieves pain.

NCLEX Pharmacology Medical Suffixes

• -amil = calcium channel blockers
• -caine = local anesthetics
• -dine = anti-ulcer agents (H2 histamine blockers)
• -done = opioid analgesics
• -ide = oral hypoglycemics
• -lam = anti-anxiety agents
• -oxacin = broad spectrum antibiotics
• -micin = antibiotics
• -mide = diuretics
• -mycin = antibiotics
• -nuim = neuromuscular blockers
• -olol = beta blockers
• -pam = anti-anxiety agents
• -pine = calcium channel blockers
• -pril = ace inhibitors
• -sone = steroids
• -statin =antihyperlipidemics
• -vir = anti-virais
• -zide = diuretics

NCLEX Pharmacology Antidotes

• Coumadin = Vitamin K
• Benzodiazepines = Romazicon (Flumazenil)
• Magnesium Sulfate = Calcium Gluconate
• Heparin = Protamine Sulfate
• Tylenol = Mucomyst
• Opiates = Narcotic analgesics, heroin morphine, Narcan (Naloxone)
• Cholinergic Meds = Atropine, pralidoxime (2-PAM)
• Digoxin = Digiband
• Acetaminophen = n-Acetylcysteine
• Iron = Deferoxamine
• Alcohol Withdrawal = Librium
• Anticholinergics = Physostigmine
• Beta Blockers = Glucagon
• Methotrexate = Leucovorin
• Anticoagulants = Vitamin K, FFP
• Aspirin = Sodium bicarbonate
• Calcium Channel Blocker = Calcium, glucagon, insulin
• Cyanide = Tydroxycobalamin, any nitrite, sodium thiosulfate
• Hydrofluoric acid = Calcium Gluconate
• Insulin = Glucose
• Isoniazid = Deferoxamine
• Methanol = Ethanol
• Ethylene glycol = Fomepizole, ethanol
• Methemoglobin = Methylene blue
• Tricyclic antidepressant = Sodium bicarbonate

NCLEX Pharmacology Quick Tips You’ll Need

• Administer libriumduring alcohol withdrawal.
• Antabuseis given for alcohol deterrence. Do not take over the counter cough medicine.
• When taking hypertensivemedications, teach patient about orthostatic hypotension. Patient must change positions slowly.
• Administer diureticsin the morning so patient doesn’t constantly wake up to urinate.
• Do not given grapefruits with: Buspar, Veramapmil, Tegretol, and Simvastatin
• Rifampinturns urination orange.
• Digoxin= Side effects are increased when the patient is hypokalemic. Monitor the potassium. Digoxin has a negative chronotropic effect (slows the heart rate). Hold the dose if heart rate is less than 60.
• Digitalis toxicity = bradycardia, tachycardia, dysrhythmias, nausea, vomiting, and headache. Contact physician as soon as possible.
• MAOIs – Do not give food with tyramine as it may cause hypertensive crisis.
• Do not givetetracycline at bed time. Do not let patients lie down because it might cause gastric reflux.
• Do not give metforminto someone having procedures with contrast dye. Metformin can cause acute renal failure.
• Drawing insulin– (RN), Draw up regular before drawing up NPH.
• Never give potassiumin IV push.
• When giving loop diuretics, watch for potassium depletion.
• Disulfiramis given to alcoholics to curb impulsive drinking.
• Dopaminetreats cardiogenic shock.
• Propranololis contraindicated in patients with bronchial asthma.
• Anticholinergic effect– patient won’t be able to spit, pee, poop, or see.
• Carbamazepineis contraindicated within 14 days of MAOI  administration.
• Anticoagulant drugs– Monitor PTT for heparin and monitor platelet count, bleeding, and s/s infection.
• Carafateis taken before meals.
• Tagametis taken with food.
• Antacids is taken after meals.