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THE NCLEX TUTOR

Top Meds to Know for NCLEX

MARCH 27, 2 0 19 By Justine Buick (https://thenclextutor.com/author/jbuick/)

Updated January 2024

1. Anti-hypertensives: Betablockers – decrease BP and HR: (end in -LOL)

2. Anti-hypertensives: Calcium channel blockers – decreases BP and HR: (end in -
DIPINE)
2 random CCBs are diltiazem and verapamil

3. Cardiac glycoside: digoxin: decreases HR

4. Anti-depressants: (SSRIs, like fluoxeTINE)
5. Anti-anxiety: (end in -LAM or -PAM, like clonazePAM)
6. Anti-anginals (have the word NITRATE or NITRO in it)
7. Insulins: (all of them: rapid, short, intermediate and long)
8. Oral anti-diabetic: metformin
9. Anti-biotics: (most of them: cephalosporins, pencillins, fluoroquinolones and
aminoglycosides)
10. Pain meds: (narcotics/opioids and analgesics: opioids have the word MORPH in
them; acetaminophen and NSAIDs like ibuprofen)
11. Naloxone: antidote to opioids
12. Diuretics: (all of them: thiazides, loop and K-sparing)
13. Bronchodilators: (short acting, like –ALBUTEROL; and long-acting like -
ipraTROPIUM)
14. Steroids (end in -SONE or -LONE)
15. Anti-neoplastics (not the specific meds, just the nursing considerations and side
effects as a group)
16. Anti-coagulants: warfarin & heparin; apixibAN, dabigatrAN, rivaroxabAN
17. Anti-platelet: aspirin
18. Anaphylaxis: epinephrine
19. Anti-dysrhythmia: amiodarone
20. Thyroid: levothyroxine
21. Stool softener: docusate sodium
22. Anti-cholesterol meds: (end in -STATIN)
For each of the classifications/meds, know these important points:

1. The classifications and the generic names

2. What the med is for and which system it affects
3. The nursing considerationsbefore, during and after you give the med
these are things like knowing which vitals signs to take, labs to look at, any
contraindications, and monitoring for side effects

4. The side effects

Don’t memorize a list of side effects. Instead, remember the nursing
consideration along with the side effect.
An example is knowing that a beta blocker has the side effect of low blood
pressure and low heart rate. Therefore, your nursing consideration is to
check the blood pressure and heart rate before you give it. If the blood
pressure is below 100/60 or heart rate is less than 60, you wouldn’t give it.

Many students don’t know what they need to know for the meds. That’s why as my
student, you use the NCLEX Nursing Nugget Pages
(https://www.thenclextutor.store/collections/all-products/products/nclex-nursing-
nugget-pages). These nugget pages tell you exactly what you need to know while
leaving out all the fluff.

At the very least, know what the med is FOR. This alone can help you get to the
right answer.

Any meds you think I’m missing? Put them in comments section.

Find it helpful? Please share it!

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Comments

Helas
NOVE MB ER 2 2 , 2 02 3 AT 6:50 PM (HT TPS : / / TH EN C LE XTU TO R. CO M/ TO P-M EDS -TO -K NOW-F O R-
NCLEX/# COMMENT-7 857 )

Those informations are very helpful

R E P LY

Krupa
NOVE MB ER 1 6 , 2 02 3 AT 10:1 3 PM (H T TPS : / / TH EN C LE XTU TO R.CO M / TO P-ME D S-TO -KN OW-FO R-
NCLEX/# COMMENT-7 838 )

Hi All,

It would be appreciated if any one can help me to crack NLCEX Exam.

Planning to give in feb 2024.
PATELKRUPA7741@GMAIL.COM (mailto:PATELKRUPA7741@GMAIL.COM)

R E P LY

Sr Delphine kohyen
OCTOBER 12 , 2 0 23 AT 8:29 PM ( HT TPS : / / TH EN C LE XTU TO R. CO M/ TO P-M EDS -TO -K NOW-F O R-
NCLEX/# COMMENT-7 628 )

I am preparing for nclex too and needs help please

R E P LY

Lise Vedel
MARCH 14 , 2 02 3 AT 1 2:1 2 PM (HT T PS: / / T HE NC L EXTUTO R .CO M/ TO P-M E DS-TO -KNOW-F O R-
NCLEX/# COMMENT-7 525 )

Hi, my name is Lise, and I will take the new generation Nclex next month. Do you have any
updates for medications? Thank you for your help.

R E P LY
Racquel Peters
FEB RUA RY 3, 2 0 2 3 AT 9 :3 8 P M ( HT T PS: / / T HE NC L EXT UTO R. CO M / TO P- MED S -TO -KN OW-FO R-
NCLEX/# COMMENT-7 520 )

Do you have an updated list for 2022-2023

R E P LY

Anissa
FEB RUA RY 3, 2 0 2 3 AT 6 :0 9 P M ( HT T PS: / / T HE NC L EXT UTO R. CO M / TO P- MED S -TO -KN OW-FO R-
NCLEX/# COMMENT-7 519 )

please email a updated list for 2022-2023

R E P LY

Daphny
NOVE MB ER 3 0 , 2 02 2 AT 4:03 A M (H T TPS : / / TH EN C LE XTU TO R.CO M / TO P-ME D S-TO -KN OW-FO R-
NCLEX/# COMMENT-7 513 )

Hello,do you a update for 2022-2023 please

R E P LY

Lavern jackson
MAY 20 , 20 2 2 AT 4 :15 PM ( HT T P S: / / T HE NC L EXTUTO R .CO M/ TO P-M E DS-TO -KNOW-F O R-
NCLEX/# COMMENT-7 503 )

Hi , how are you? Are you a tutor, can you help me to pass exam, my email is
cummy32@yahoo.com (mailto:cummy32@yahoo.com)

R E P LY

Bridgette
DECEMBER 3, 20 2 1 AT 2:02 A M (H T TPS : / / TH EN C LE XTU TO R.CO M / TO P-ME D S-TO -KN OW-FO R-
NCLEX/# COMMENT-7 495 )

Do you have an updated list for 2021?

R E P LY
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LOOK S-CONFUSING/ ) says:

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[…] nutrition and giving blood! Do you know the most common meds and what they are for? Here is my
top list of meds. Do you know how to give meds by the different routes? This by far is the most frustrating
topic […]

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