Cardiovascular Drugs<\/strong><\/td>| You should be familiar with ACE inhibitors (-prils), beta-blockers (-olols), diuretics, and calcium channel blockers. Know their mechanisms of action, how they affect blood pressure and heart rate, and key nursing interventions like monitoring for orthostatic hypotension.<\/td><\/tr> | Antibiotics<\/strong><\/td>| NCLEX questions often revolve around drug classes like penicillins and cephalosporins. Focus on understanding common side effects and the importance of checking for allergies before administration.<\/td><\/tr> | Pain Management<\/strong><\/td>| Opioids and NSAIDs are commonly tested on the NCLEX. For opioids, you must know about the risk of respiratory depression and the use of the antidote naloxone.<\/td><\/tr> | Diabetes Medications<\/strong><\/td>| The various types of insulin (rapid, short, intermediate, and long-acting) and their onset, peak, and duration are essential. You must also know the signs of hypoglycemia and how to treat it.<\/td><\/tr> | Psychiatric Medications<\/strong><\/td>| Be prepared for NCLEX questions on SSRIs, benzodiazepines, and antipsychotics. A key focus is patient safety and education regarding side effects like serotonin syndrome or withdrawal symptoms.<\/td><\/tr> | High-Alert Medications<\/strong><\/td>These are drugs that have a heightened risk of causing significant patient harm if used incorrectly. Examples include insulin, heparin, and opioids. The NCLEX loves to test your knowledge of the safety measures associated with these drugs.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\nControlled Substance Schedules: What to Know for the NCLEX<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n For the NCLEX and your future career as a nurse, you must understand controlled substances to ensure the safety of your patience and to ensure you\u2019re adhering to legal and ethical standards. Medications regulated by the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 are given the following classifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n - Schedule I:<\/strong> High abuse potential and no accepted medical use.
Examples: heroin, marijuana, peyote, Ecstasy, and LSD.<\/em><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n- Schedule II:<\/strong> High abuse potential with severe dependence liability.
Examples: narcotics, amphetamines, and some barbiturates.<\/em><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n- Schedule III: <\/strong>Less abuse potential than Schedule II medications and moderate dependence liability.
Examples: nonbarbiturate sedatives, nonamphetamine stimulants, anabolic steroids, and limited amounts of certain narcotics.<\/em><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n- Schedule IV: <\/strong>Less abuse potential than Schedule III medications and limited dependence liability.
Examples: sedatives, anxiolytics, and nonnarcotic analgesics.<\/em><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n- Schedule V:<\/strong> Limited abuse potential.
Examples: small amounts of narcotics, such as codeine, used as antidiarrheals or antitussives.<\/em><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\nSpecial Considerations for Medications Tested on the NCLEX<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Review the following special considerations for medication tested on the NCLEX below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n - Black box warning, also known as boxed warning: <\/strong>Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning placed by the manufacturer on a prescription medication package insert. It communicates that the medication carries a significant risk of serious or even life-threatening adverse effects.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Off-label use:<\/strong> Use of medications for an unapproved indication or in an unapproved age group, unapproved dosage, or unapproved route of administration.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Pregnancy and lactation: <\/strong>Prior to June 2015, the FDA required that most prescribed medications be labeled for risk according to letter categories A (remote possibility of fetal harm), B, C, D, and X (studies show evidence of fetal risk). In June 2015, the FDA changed to a system in which providers assess the benefit versus the risk of a given medication for individual pregnant women and nursing mothers. FDA guidelines call for subsequent counseling of pregnant and lactating clients, \u201callowing them to make informed and educated decisions for themselves and their children.\u201d The FDA created a pregnancy exposure registry to collect and maintain data on the effects of approved medications prescribed to and used by pregnant women (FDA Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Final Rule, December 3, 2014).<\/em><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Tips to Study Drugs on the NCLEX<\/h2>\n\n\n\nReview our best tips to study drugs on the NCLEX.<\/p>\n\n\n
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