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EPISODE NOTES

1. Why Pharmacology Is the Gatekeeper

Largest and most feared NCLEX subsection.

Students may face 20–50+ pharm questions in a row.

Scoring under 58% on pharm practice drops first-time pass chance to ~30%.

NCLEX repeatedly tests the same 15–20 high-danger scenarios, not broad memorization.

2. The Strategy Shift: From Memorizing Everything → Knowing the Life-Threatening Red Flags

Stop memorizing hundreds of drugs.

Master the 60–70 prototypes (“Dirty 60”) and the red-flag dangers they carry.

NCLEX focuses on:

Immediate safety threats

Priority nursing actions

Reversal agents

Toxicity signs

Safe administration rules

3. The High-Yield Antidotes (Guaranteed Questions)

You will see 1–3 antidote questions on the NCLEX.

High-Alert Drug

Antidote

Heparin

Protamine sulfate

Warfarin

Vitamin K; FFP if actively bleeding

Opioids

Naloxone

Benzodiazepines

Flumazenil

Acetaminophen

Acetylcysteine

Digoxin

DigiBind

Magnesium sulfate toxicity

Calcium gluconate

Beta-blocker overdose

Glucagon

4. The “Dirty 60” Prototype Drugs

Pain / Anticoagulants

Opioids: morphine, hydromorphone, fentanyl

Anticoagulants: heparin, enoxaparin, warfarin, one DOAC (apixaban)

Endocrine / Diabetes

Insulins: regular, NPH, lispro, glargine

Metformin

Cardiac / Rhythm / BP Control

Digoxin

Amiodarone

Adenosine

Dopamine

Nitroglycerin

Metoprolol

ACE inhibitors (lisinopril, enalapril)

ARBs (losartan)

Hydralazine

Neurological

Phenytoin

Valproic acid

Levetiracetam

Magnesium sulfate (OB + seizure)

Antibiotics

Vancomycin

Gentamicin

Tobramycin

Ceftriaxone

Psych

Lithium

Major antipsychotics

Miscellaneous

Acetaminophen

Potassium chloride

Albuterol

Levothyroxine

5. The Most Common NCLEX Red-Flag Scenarios & Priority Actions

Opioids → Respiratory Rate Below 8–10

Action:

Stop infusion immediately

Give naloxone

Stay with patient

Heparin → HIT (Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia)

Red flag: platelets <100,000
Action:

Stop heparin

Label as allergic

Notify provider

Never give aspirin

ACE Inhibitors → Angioedema

Airway emergency
Action:

Stop ACE inhibitor for life

Never restart any drug in the class

Vancomycin → Red Man Syndrome

Flushing during infusion
Action:

Slow rate to 90–120 minutes

Pre-treat with antihistamine

Not a true allergy

Aminoglycosides → Ototoxicity

Ringing, hearing loss
Action:

Stop drug

Notify provider

Check peak/trough levels

Digoxin Toxicity

Red flags:

Yellow/green halos

HR <60

Severe N/V
Action: Holds dose, check dig level, notify provider

Metformin Danger Situations

Red flags:

Any imaging with IV contrast

Muscle pain + drowsiness → lactic acidosis
Action:

Hold 48 hours before & after contrast

Monitor kidneys

Magnesium Toxicity (OB)

Red flags:

Respiratory depression

Loss of reflexes
Action:

Give calcium gluconate

6. Calculations & IV Rules (Deadly NCLEX Traps)

Two formulas you must know:

Dose calculations:
Desired ÷ Have × Vehicle

IV drip rate:
Total Volume ÷ Time in minutes × Drop factor

50 calculation problems daily builds automaticity.

7. IV Push Safety Rules the NCLEX Loves

Never IV push undiluted potassium chloride (instant cardiac arrest)

Fentanyl/morphine: push over 4–5 minutes

Adenosine: must be pushed in 6 seconds, followed by rapid flush

Blood transfusion:

Two nurses verify

Stay with patient for first 15 minutes

8. The 8-Week Pharmacology Mastery Plan

Weeks 1–2: Content Only

Memorize Dirty 60

Memorize antidote list

Use Anki/Quizlet

No practice questions yet

Weeks 3–4: Math Weeks

50 dosage calcs per day

Build accuracy + speed

Weeks 5–6: Question Immersion

100 pharm questions per day

Read every rationale

Week 7: Consolidation

Watch Simple Nursing, Mark Klimek

Only focus on high-yield drug classes

Week 8: Final Prep

Mixed blocks

Track pharm separately

Goal: 65%+ (UWorld 70–80%)

Three cheat sheets to print:

Dirty 60

Antidote chart

IV push rates + insulin peaks

9. Final Thought: Lithium Toxicity

Why push fluids?
Because lithium is excreted entirely through the kidneys.
Hydration increases clearance and prevents worsening toxicity.

Need to reach out? Send an email to Brooke at [email protected]