Master major drug classes (ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, antibiotics) before individual medications. Understanding the "family" helps you predict effects, side effects, and nursing considerations for similar drugs.
For each drug, memorize: (1) Major indication, (2) Key side effects, (3) Critical drug interactions, (4) Essential patient teaching, and (5) Important lab values to monitor.
Always verify: Right patient, drug, dose, route, time, and documentation. Add "right to refuse" and "right assessment" for complete safety. These principles prevent 95% of medication errors.
Link medications to pathophysiology. If you understand how heart failure affects the body, ACE inhibitors and diuretics make perfect sense. This connection improves retention and clinical reasoning.
Test your knowledge with pharmacology questions that emphasize prioritization, safety, and nursing judgment. Focus on "What would you do first?" and "Which finding requires immediate action?" scenarios.
🎯 Pro Tip: Create drug cards with the "Big 5" safety points for your most common medications!
