50 Tricky NCLEX Pharmacology Facts to Pass Your Next Nursing Exam

Sources: MayoClinic, Kidshealth, Kaplan NCLEX Medication, Saunders

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Pharmacology can be pretty tricky, and this is especially true when you’re studying it (and stressing about it) in order to pass the NCLEX.

But I am here, and that means I can help.

In this week’s episode of NCLEX Ready, I’ll be sharing with you 50 super important pharmacology facts you need to know if you want to pass the NCLEX with flying colors.

I’ll be discussing when not to use Naproxen, what the antidote for magnesium sulfate is, what not to take with lisinopril, the difference between miotics and mydriatics, and more.

Are you ready for this?

Then keep reading!

Pharmacology Facts You Need to Know

1. Loperamide is given to relieve the symptoms of diarrhea.
2. Glucagon is given to reverse hypoglycemia. Blood glucose should be monitored.
3. Hepatitis B vaccine is given in three doses to infants to prevent hepatitis B infection.
4. Meloxicam is given to manage arthritis pain and inflammation, and it doesn’t require to be given with meals.
5. Do not take MAOIs with fentanyl, which we give for moderate to severe pain relief.
6. Withhold naproxen if the respiratory rate is less than 12 breaths per minute.
7. Apply bleeding precautions with apixaban, which we give to prevent clots. Do not administer in situations with increased risk of bleeding.
8. Heparin is given to prevent and treat deep vein thrombosis. We also give it for dialysis treatments to prevent clotting.
9. Do not take gabapentin within two hours of taking an antacid. Do not discontinue gabapentin therapy suddenly, which is given for seizures management and moderate to severe primary restless leg syndrome.
10. If there is a rash noted in a pediatric patient, stop lamotrigine administration immediately, which is an anticonvulsant, and notify the healthcare provider as soon as possible.
11. Calcium gluconate is the antidote for magnesium sulfate. We give magnesium sulfate (an anticonvulsant) to treat eclampsia. Blood pressure should be monitored with magnesium sulfate therapy.
12. Lots of fluids should be encouraged when on valacyclovir therapy, an antiviral medication.
13. Inform the healthcare provider if there is black tarry stool and monitor potassium during the administration of prednisolone, a corticosteroid.
14. When taking lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, do not take potassium supplements, and potassium-sparing diuretics.
15. Losartan is given to treat hypertension, but it should not be taken with grapefruit juice. Do not worry about taking it with meals.
16. Ondansetron, which we give for nausea, can cause headache, dry mouth, and dizziness.
17. Miotics constricts the pupils. There’s an O in miOtics and cOnstricts.
18. Mydriatics dilates the pupils. There’s a D in myDriatics and Dilates.
19. Severe diarrhea should be reported with omeprazole therapy, which is a proton pump inhibitor.
20. Do not take tadalafil with nitrates; this can cause the blood pressure to fatally fall and result in a cardiovascular collapse.
21. Tadalafil is given for erectile dysfunction treatment and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
22. Nitrofurantoin is given for urinary tract infection treatment and can cause false positive glucose results in urine.
23. Ginger is a herbal supplement that can increase the bleeding risk with anticoagulants. It can be given to alleviate nausea and treat rheumatoid arthritis.
24. Levothyroxine is given for hypothyroidism management and should be taken on an empty stomach.
25. Venlafaxine is an antidepressant that is taken with food and can cause an increased risk for suicidal thoughts.
26. Avoid grapefruit with calcium-channel blockers.
27. Citalopram is an antidepressant that can cause serotonin syndrome. It may take up to four weeks for the full effectiveness of the antidepressant therapy to work.
28. Lithium is a bipolar agent that should be taken with meals or else GI symptoms may occur.
29. Allopurinol is given to treat gout and should be taken with food.
30. Benztropine is an anti-parkinson medication that can be crushed and mixed with food.
31. Zolmitriptan is given for migraines. When taking this medication, avoid high tyramine foods.
32. We give latanoprost for glaucoma treatment and for ocular hypertension.
33. Disulfiram is given for alcoholism and may take several weeks for the full therapeutic effects to take place.
34. Minoxidil is given for alopecia treatment. Do not increase dosage as it will not increase how fast the hair will grow.
35. Loratadine is an antihistamine that should be taken on an empty stomach. Take it one hour before or two hours after a meal.
36. Vitamin K is the antidote for coumadin, which is an anticoagulant.
37. Withhold digoxin if the pulse is less than 60 bpm and notify the healthcare provider.
38. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that is given for edema and hypertension. Monitor electrolytes and weight to determine therapy effectiveness.
39. Glimepiride is given to manage type two diabetes mellitus and should not be crushed or chewed. Sugar or glucagon should be nearby for potential hypoglycemia.
40. Nicardipine is given to treat angina and hypertension and should not be taken with grapefruit and nor discontinued suddenly.
41. Side effects of lactulose, which is a laxative, include gastrointestinal upset, such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Monitor for potential hypernatremia.
42. Metoclopramide is an antiemetic agent that can cause NMS, which is neuroleptic malignant syndrome when used for a long period of time, such as three months.
43. Alendronate is given for osteoporosis and Paget disease, which should be taken in the morning.
44. Administer diuretics in the morning to avoid having to wake up at night to urinate.
45. Rifampin, which is given to treat tuberculosis, can cause urine to turn orange.
46. Do not give carbamazepine, a medication for seizures, nerve pain, and bipolar disorder, within 14 days of MAOI administration or within the first 14 days after discontinuing MAOI administration.
47. Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic agent that should not be double-dosed if missed.
48. Glucagon is an antidote for beta blocker overdose.
49. Avoid potassium-containing salt substitute with indomethacin therapy, which is a NSAID.
50. Do not take valerian with barbiturates. Valerian is a herb supplement that is given for insomnia. Barbiturates are depressant drugs that are also used to aid in sleep.