Pharmacology

Drug classifications, mechanisms of action, adverse effects, and nursing implications.

Pharmacology Fundamentals

7 topics

Absorption & Bioavailability Distribution, Metabolism & Excretion Drug Interactions & Polypharmacy Medication Reconciliation & High-Alert Medications Medication Rights & Safe Administration Nursing Responsibilities for Drug Monitoring Pharmacodynamics

Beta-Blockers

1 topic

ACE Inhibitors & ARBs

2 topics

ACE Inhibitors ARBs

CCBs

2 topics

Calcium Channel Blockers: Dihydropyridine vs Non-Dihydropyridine — Vascular vs Cardiac Selectivity Play

Dihydropyridine CCBs Non-Dihydropyridine CCBs

Diuretics

3 topics

Diuretic Classes: Loop vs Thiazide vs Potassium-Sparing — Site of Action, K+ Effect, Monitoring Play

Loop Diuretics Potassium-Sparing Diuretics Thiazide Diuretics

Cardiac Glycosides

1 topic

Digoxin Lifecycle: Therapeutic Use → Toxicity Recognition → Toxicity Management Play

Antiarrhythmics

3 topics

Antiarrhythmic Comparison: Amiodarone vs Adenosine vs Atropine — When to Use Which Play

Adenosine Amiodarone Atropine

Anticoagulants

3 topics

Anticoagulant Comparison: Heparin vs Warfarin vs DOACs — Onset, Monitoring, Reversal Play

DOACs Heparin Warfarin

Antiplatelets & Thrombolytics

2 topics

Antiplatelet Agents Thrombolytics / Fibrinolytics

Nitrates & Statins

2 topics

Nitroglycerin Statins

Vasopressors

2 topics

Vasopressor Comparison: Dopamine vs Norepinephrine vs Vasopressin — Receptor Selectivity and First-Line Use Play

Dopamine Norepinephrine & Vasopressin

Respiratory Drugs

6 topics

Asthma/COPD Inhaler Comparison: Bronchodilators vs Corticosteroids vs Leukotriene Modifiers Play

Bronchodilator Hierarchy: SABA vs LABA vs Anticholinergic — Rescue vs Maintenance

Albuterol & Short-Acting Beta-2 Agonists Inhaled Corticosteroids Ipratropium & Anticholinergic Bronchodilators Leukotriene Modifiers Long-Acting Bronchodilators Mucolytics & Expectorants

Antiepileptics

4 topics

Antiepileptic Drug Comparison: Phenytoin vs Valproic Acid vs Levetiracetam — Levels, Toxicity, Monitoring Play

Antiepileptic General Principles Levetiracetam & Newer Antiepileptics Phenytoin / Dilantin Valproic Acid / Depakote

Parkinson's & Neuro Drugs

3 topics

Parkinson's Drugs: Levodopa/Carbidopa vs Dopamine Agonists — On-Off Phenomenon, Timing Play

Alzheimer's Disease Medications Dopamine Agonists & Other Parkinson's Drugs Levodopa/Carbidopa — Sinemet

Insulins

3 topics

Insulin Types: Rapid vs Short vs Intermediate vs Long — Onset, Peak, Duration Chart Play

Insulin Administration Technique Intermediate & Long-Acting Insulin Rapid & Short-Acting Insulin

Oral & Non-Insulin Diabetes Meds

4 topics

Oral Diabetes Drugs: Metformin vs Sulfonylureas vs SGLT2 vs GLP-1 — MOA, Hypo Risk, Key Warnings Play

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Metformin / Glucophage SGLT2 Inhibitors Sulfonylureas

Thyroid & Corticosteroids

3 topics

Corticosteroid Effects: Therapeutic vs Adverse — The Same Drug, Two Faces Play

Thyroid Drug Comparison: Levothyroxine vs Antithyroid Drugs — Opposite Conditions, Opposite Monitoring Play

Antithyroid Drugs Corticosteroids Levothyroxine / Synthroid

Antidepressants

4 topics

Antidepressant Classes: SSRI vs SNRI vs TCA vs MAOI — Efficacy, Safety Profile, Critical Interactions Play

MAOIs SNRIs SSRIs TCAs

Mood Stabilizers & Antipsychotics

3 topics

Antipsychotic Comparison: Typical vs Atypical — EPS Risk vs Metabolic Risk Play

Atypical Antipsychotics Lithium Typical Antipsychotics

Anxiolytics & Sedatives

2 topics

Anxiolytic Decision: Benzodiazepines vs Buspirone — Onset, Dependence, Clinical Selection Play

Benzodiazepines Non-Benzodiazepine Anxiolytics

Anti-Infective Foundations

3 topics

Beta-Lactam Antibiotics: Penicillins vs Cephalosporins — Cross-Allergy, Generation Differences Play

Antibiotic Mechanisms of Action — Classification Cephalosporins Penicillins

FQ, AG, Vancomycin

3 topics

Nephrotoxic/Ototoxic Drug Comparison: Aminoglycosides vs Vancomycin — Peak/Trough, Monitoring, Red Flags Play

Fluoroquinolone vs Aminoglycoside — Black Box Warnings Comparison Play

Aminoglycosides Fluoroquinolones Vancomycin

Other Anti-Infectives

7 topics

Amphotericin B Anti-Tuberculosis (RIPE)Antiretroviral Therapy Antivirals Azole Antifungals Macrolides Tetracyclines

Pain Management Drugs

7 topics

Pain Ladder Decision: Opioid vs NSAID vs Acetaminophen — When to Use Which Play

Opioid Toxicity Spectrum: Therapeutic → Excessive Sedation → Respiratory Depression → Overdose Play

Acetaminophen Adjuvant Pain Medications Epidural Analgesia Naloxone / Narcan

GI & Renal Drugs

7 topics

Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents H2 Receptor Blockers Laxatives & Antidiarrheals Ondansetron / Zofran Other Antiemetics Phosphate Binders Proton Pump Inhibitors

Immune & Oncology Drugs

5 topics

Immunosuppressant Comparison: Cyclosporine vs Tacrolimus vs Mycophenolate — Transplant Drug Monitoring Play

Chemotherapy Toxicity by Organ: Cardiotoxic vs Nephrotoxic/Ototoxic vs Neurotoxic vs Myelosuppressive Play

Calcineurin Inhibitors Chemotherapy Colony-Stimulating Factors Other Immunosuppressants Targeted Therapy & Biologics

OB/Maternal Drugs

5 topics

Magnesium Sulfate Medications & Pregnancy Safety Oxytocin RhoGAM / Rh Immunoglobulin Tocolytics

Pediatric Pharmacology

1 topic

Pediatric Medication Administration

IV Therapy & Parenteral

4 topics

Blood Transfusion Central Line Care IM, SubQ & Intradermal Injection Peripheral IV Insertion & Maintenance

Comparisons

4

RAAS Drugs: ACEi vs ARBs vs Direct Renin Inhibitor Play

Antiplatelets vs Anticoagulants vs Thrombolytics — Mechanism and Clinical Selection

Insulin vs Oral Agents: When to Use Which in Diabetes Management

Antiadrenergics: Central vs Alpha-1 vs Beta Blockers Play