Pharmacology Review

DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION
ADULT PHARMACOLOGY EXAM B REVIEW STUDY GUIDE

Medication administration is a critical aspect of nursing responsibilities at the New York Hospital Queens.
Therefore, every licensed nurse being considered for employment (full-time, part-time, per diem, travel,
agency, and private duty) must take and pass a Pharmacology Exam. This packet contains general
information about the exam plus practice calculation questions with answers.
About the Pharmacology Exam
Every newly employed nurse must successfully complete a Pharmacology Exam prior to employment. The
exam consists of two sections:
Section I:
Pharmacology and Abbreviations
Section II:
Conversions and Calculations
A grade of 80% or higher on each section of the exam must be achieved. You will be given only ONE
opportunity to take and pass the exam.
The study guide on pages 3 31 is provided to help you prepare for the exam. Sample conversion,
calculation, and abbreviation questions are provided. The expectations for the Pharmacology section are
outlined on pages 26-28. PLEASE BE PREPARED.
PHARMACOLOGY BOOKS, AND/OR THE STUDY GUIDE

MAY NOT BE USED DURING THE EXAM.
Taking the Exam

1.
The Pharmacology Exam must be taken PRIOR to start date and pre employment physical.
2.
You may use a calculator during the exam.
3.
EMPLOYMENT IS CONTINGENT UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE PHARMACOLOGY

EXAM.
4.
Please call Nurse Recruitment at (718) 670-1229 to schedule an exam appointment. The exam is
administered Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. in the Department of Nursing
Education located at 139-09 58 th Avenue, Third Floor, Flushing, Queens.
December 2009 Revised
DECIMAL FRACTIONS
1. A decimal fraction is equivalent to a common fraction with 10, 100, 1000 etc., in the denominator:
Example
Decimal Fraction
0.5
0.05
0.005
Common Fraction
=
=
=
5/10
5/100
5/1000
2. The number of decimal places in a decimal fraction corresponds to the number of zeros in the
denominator of the equivalent common fraction.
Example
Common Fraction
8
10
Decimal Fraction
0.8
25
100
0.25
427
1000
0.427
3. If zeros are inserted directly to the right of the decimal point in a decimal fraction, the value of the fraction
is decreased; if zeros are inserted to the right of the last digit in a decimal fraction, the value of the
fraction is unchanged:
Example
0.325
Decreased
0.00325
Unchanged
0.32500
0.325 is equal to 0.32500

0.325 is not equal to 0.00325
MOVING THE DECIMAL POINT IN DIVISION

1. Move the decimal point in the divisor as many places to the right as is necessary to make a whole
number.
Example
.
0.4 ) 8
0.4 ) 8
0.04 ) 8
0.40 ) 8
0.004 ) 8
0.004 ) 8
.
.
2. Move the decimal point in the dividend as many places to the right as was moved in the divisor.
If the dividend has no decimal point as in the example below, place one after the last figure and then
move it, adding as many zeros as necessary. Place the decimal point for the Quotient directly above that
in the decimal:
Example
0.4 ) 8
0.4 ) 8.0
.
4 ) 80.
0.04 ) 8
0.40 ) 8.00
.
40 ) 800.
0.004 ) 8
0.004 ) 8.000
.
004 ) 8000.
3. Proceed with Division

Example
20.
4 ) 80
20.
40 ) 800.
20.
400 ) 800.
MOVING THE DECIMAL POINT IN MULTIPLICATION

1. Move the decimal point in the answer as many places as there are numerals to the right of the decimal
point in the problem.
Example
10
0.5
5.0
1.0
0.5
0.50
1 place
2 places
0.001
5
0.005
10.5
0.005
0.0525
10.15
0.005
0.05075
3 places
4 places
5 places
CONVERTING FROM GRAMS TO MILLIGRAMS AND THE REVERSE

1. To change Grams to Milligrams (or liters to milliliters) move the decimal point 3 places to the RIGHT:
Example
0.5 gm
0.001 gm
1.0 Liter
=
=
=
500 mg
1.0 mg
1000 ml
2. To change Milligrams to Grams (or milliliters to liters) move the decimal point 3 places to the LEFT:
Example
500 mg
1.0 mg
1000 ml
=
=
=
0.5 gm
0.001 gm
1.0 Liter
CALCULATING DOSAGES
FORMULA I
STEPS:
1. Convert the dosage you desire and the dosage you have available to the same unit of measure.
2. Set-up problem as a proportion.
Example
Dosage
Amount
Desired dosage (D)

Available Dosage (A)
Unknown Quantity
Quantity on Hand
(X)
(1)
Desired Dosage
is the amount you wish to administer.
Available Dosage
is the amount you have on HAND.
Unknown Quantity
is the amount that contains the desired dosage and is usually the
unknown (X).
Quantity on Hand
is the amount in which the available dosage is contained.
3. Solve Problem
D
A
X
I
Proportion
D X
A I
Cross Multiplication
AX
Division
DI
Answer
4. Prove Answer
Substitute answer for X and proceed as above:
D
A
Example
Answer

1
Dosage ordered:
Available:
Tetracycline 0.5 gm po Dosage

250 mg per capsule Give
capsules.
Step 1
Convert: 0.5 gm to 500 mg
Step 2
Proportion: (D) 500 (X)

(A) 250 (1)
Step 3
Solve:
Step 4
Prove:
500 X
250 I
250 X = 500
Division
X = 2
Answer
500
250
2
1
500 2
250 1
500
Proportion
500
FORMULA II
RATIO AND PROPORTION
A ratio is simply one number compared to another.
A ratio of 1:10 is the relationship between the number 1 and 10.
A proportion consists of two ratios that are equal to each other:
The ratio 5:1 is equal to the ratio 10:2.
i.e., 5:1 = 10:2
When the term of a ratio is unknown it is expressed as an X.
i.e., 5:1 = 10:X
The two known terms are placed as the first ratio on the left side of the equation.
The unknown and the third term are placed on the right side of the equation.
Known Terms
i.e.,
5:1
Third Term
Unknown Term
10
Example
Dosage Ordered:
Dosage Available:
Benadryl 0.05 gm IM
Benadryl 25 mg per ml
Step 1
Convert
0.05 gm to 50 mg
Step 2
Proportion
Dosage Available
|
25 mg
:
Dosage Ordered
|
=
50 mg
:
1 ml
|
Quantity Available
X
|
Unknown Quantity
Step 3
Solve
Extremes
Means
|
|
25 : 1 = 50
.
Multiply the Means
and the Extremes
:
25 X
50
Division
Answer
Step 4
Prove
Extremes
Means
|
|
25 : 1 = 50
50
.
Substitute Answer
2 ml for X
: 2
50
COMPUTING RECONSTITUTED DOSAGES

Step 1
Reconstitute powder with sterile water.
Label vial with new dosage.
Note:
The reconstituted dosage

now becomes your available dosage.
Example 1
Dosage ordered:
Dosage available:
Penicillin 1,000,000 Units in 300 ml Solution

Penicillin 5,000,000 Units per vial
After adding 2.5 ml of sterile water to the powder, each 1 ml. of solution will contain 2,000,000
Units.*
How many ml will you give?
1,000,000 (D) = X
2,000,000 (A) = 1
1,000,000
2,000,000
X
1
2,000,000
X = 1,000,000
X = 0.5 ml
* Available Dosage is now 2,000,000 Units per ml

Example 2
Dosage ordered:
Dosage available:
Methicillin 500 mg
Methicillin 1 gm per vial (powder)
Reconstitute powder with 1.5 ml Sterile Water*

How many ml will you give?
Step 1
Convert 1 gm to 1000 mg
Step 2
Solve
500
1000
X
1.5
1000 X
750
0.75 ml
*Available Dosage is now 1 gm in 1.5 ml Sterile Water
OTHER PROBLEMS
Example I
Ordered:
Available:
Isuprel 0.01 mg per ml 100 ml D5W

Isuprel 2 mg per ml
How many ml of Isuprel should be added to 100 ml

D5W to give a concentration of 0.01 mg per ml?
Step 1:
Determine number of mg in total 100 ml of D5W.
100 ml
X 0.01
1.00 mg in 100 ml D5W
Step 2:
Proceed as other dosage problems
1 mg
2 mg
X
1 ml
2 X = 1
X = 0.5 ml Isuprel to be added to 100 ml D5W
to give a concentration of 0.01 mg per ml
INSULIN
The dosage of insulin is expressed in units. Insulin is supplied in 10 ml vials with a concentration of 100
units per ml. At New York Hospital Queens, insulin is administered via a U-100 syringe. The amount of
insulin ordered by a doctor is the amount to be measured into the U-100 syringe.
Example
Ordered:
Regular Insulin 10 units and N.P.H. Insulin 4 units before meals every morning.
Available:
Regular Insulin 100 units per ml. and N.P.H. Insulin 100 units per ml.
What is the total amount of units to be drawn up using a U-100 syringe?
Since the amount of insulin ordered by the doctor is the same amount drawn up in the U-100
syringe:
answer:
10 Units + 4 Units = 14 Units

14 Units to be drawn up.
10
COMPUTING INTRAVENOUS PROBLEMS

FORMULA I
(1)
Check administration set to be used:

Microdrip administers 60 drops per 1 ml.
Macrodrip administers 10 drops per 1 ml.
Y-Type Blood Set administers 10 drops per 1 ml.
(2)
For an IV administration set that delivers 60 drops/ml (microdrip), the flow rate per hour (ml per hour)
equals the drip rate per minute. There is a 1:1 ratio of the 60 minutes in an hour to the 60 drops/min.
delivered by the infusion set. Therefore, calculate the drip rate per minute by calculating the flow rate
per hour.
(3)
Proceed using the following formula:

drops/min
(Microdrip)
(X) =
Solution ordered (ml)

Number of hours
Example
Administer 1000 ml D5W over 10 hours using a microdrip:
drops/min
(X) =
1000
10
100
Answer: 100 drops/min

(4)
To calculate the drip rate for a set that delivers 10 drops/ml (Macrodrip), calculate the flow rate per hour
- which gives you the number of drops for a 60 drop/ml set, and divide that number by 6.
drops/min (X) =
(Macrodrip)
Solution ordered (ml) 6

Number of hours
Example
Administer 1000 ml over 10 hours using a macrodrip:
drops/min
(X) =
1000 6
10
100
16.6
6
11
FORMULA II
(1)

(2)
Change hours to minutes by multiplying the number of hours by 60.
(3)

Number of hours
(converted to minutes)
Number of drops to be administered per min (X)

Number of drops/ml set yields (10 or 60)
Example
1000 ml
10 X 60
X
60
1000
600
X
60
600X
60,000
100
Administer 1000 ml D5W over 10 hours using a macrodrip:

1000 ml
10 X 60
X
10
1000
600
X
10
600X
10,000
16.6
12
FORMULA III
(1) Check administration set to be used:
(2) Change hours to minutes by multiplying number of hours by 60.
(3) Proceed using ratio and proportion formula for calculating medication problems.
Number of hours :
number of drops/ml. : : solution
:
(change to minutes)
set yields
ordered (ml)
unknown (X)
quantity
Example
(10 X 60)
60
::
1000
600
60
::
1000
Multiply the Means and Extremes

600
60
|
::
1000
|
Means
Extremes
600 X
60,000
100

Administer 1000 c.c. D5W over 10 hours using macrodrip:
(10 X 60)
10
::
1000
600
10
::
1000
600 X
10,000
16.6
13
FORMULA IV
BLOOD ADMINISTRATION
(1)

Y-Type Blood Set administers 10 drops per ml.
(2)
Change hours to minutes multiplying the number of hours by 60.
(3)

Number of hours
(Converted to minutes)
Number of drops to be administered per min (X)

Number of drops/ml. set yields (10)
Example
Administer 1 Unit of Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBC) totaling 312 ml to run over 4 hours.
312 ml
4 X 60
X
10
312
240
X
10
240 X
3120
13 drops per min
Answer: 13 drops per min

Administer 1 Unit of Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBC) totaling 312 ml to run over 4 hours using a YType Blood Administration Set that yields 10 drops/ml.
(4 X 60)
10
::
312
240
10
::
312
Multiply the Means and Extremes

Means
240
|
10
|
312
.
::
Extremes
240 X
3120
13 drops/min
CALCULATING REPLACEMENTS
14
Example 1
NG Replacements
Order reads:
"Replace NG drainage with c.c. IV solution per 1 ml NG drainage q
4 hours with
D5NS with 20 mEq Potassium Chloride/Liter."
From the hours of 10 AM to 2 PM, the NG tube drained 600 ml. You must calculate the:
1) amount of IV fluid to be replaced
2) rate at which that fluid is to infuse
**Remember the basic principle that IV fluid is infused equally over the total time allotted. As the order
states that replacement is to be done every four hours, you will infuse the IV replacement fluid
evenly over that four hour time span.
Step 1
Determine the amount of IV fluid to be received as replacement.
Set-up your proportion:
0.5 ml IV replacement
1 ml NG drainage
:
X ml total replacement
600 ml NG drainage
Cross multiply
0.5 ml X 600
1X
Solve for X
300 ml
Answer: Total IV replacement fluid = 300 ml

Step 2
Determine the IV rate (drops/min.) at which the replacement fluid is to be infused. You may
use any of the formulas discussed previously.
For our example we will use Formula I only.
Total IV replacement fluid = 300 ml to be infused over 4 hours.
Formula I
A.
Using microdrip administration set

drops/min = solution ordered
number of hours
B.
Using macrodrip administration set

drops/min = solution ordered 6
number of hours
300
4
300
4
75
75
12.5
15
PRACTICE EXERCISE
Divide the following:
.
1)
2) 6
2)
20) 60
3)
200) 600
4)
5) 2
5)
0.50) 2
10) 0.2) 6
20) 0.2) 62
11) 0.20) 6
21) 0.20) 62
12) 0.200) 6
22) 0.200) 62
13) 0.5) 40
23) 4) 32.4
14) 0.50) 40
24) 40) 32.4
.
6)
0.500) 2
7)
0.4) 32.4
8)
0.40) 32.4
9)
0.400) 32.4
15) 0.500) 40
.
25) 400) 32.4
16) 8) 0.32
.
26) 0.05) 12.25

.
17) 0.8) 5.6

.
27) 0.006) 0.042

.
18) 0.004) 0.2
28) 0.15) 7.5

.
19) 0.016) 0.008
Multiply the following:
29) 1.5
2
31) 0.6
3
33) 0.2
0.5
35) 1000
0.5
30) 0.001
2.5
32) 0.0345
4.5
34) 0.25
1.25
36) 0.005
0.3
16
Express the following Metric Quantities in the Metric equivalents

1.
0.7 gm
mg
21. 6 mg
gm
2.
0.05 gm
mg
22. 30 mg
gm
3.
15 mg
gm
23. 12 mg
gm
4.
100 mg
gm
24. 0.04 gm
mg
5.
0.016 gm
mg
25. 4.1 Liter
ml
6.
1 mg
gm
26. 3 mg
gm
7.
0.0003 gm
mg
27. 60 mg
gm
8.
0.002 gm
mg
28. 0.03 gm
mg
9.
4 gm
mg
29. 0.006 gm
mg
10. 0.5 mg
gm
30. 0.01 mg
gm
11. 550 ml
Liter
31. 40 ml
ml
12. 1.6 gm
mg
32. 3 Liter
cc
13. 15.2 gm
mg
33. 0.32 Liter
ml
14. 0.018 gm
mg
34. 25 gm
mg
15. 750 ml
Liter
35. 4 mg
gm
16. 130 Liter
ml
36. 0.9 gm
mg
17. 0.8 mg
gm
37. 0.0275 gm
mg
18. 25 mg
gm
38. 1.4 gm
mg
19. 0.15 mg
gm
39. 0.01 gm
mg
20. 2.25 gm
mg
40. 1 Liter
cc
17
PRACTICE PROBLEMS:
1.
Ordered:
Available:
Give
2.
Ordered:
Available:
Draw up
3.
Ordered:
Available:
Draw up
4.
Ordered:
Available:
Draw up
5.
Ordered:
Available:
Give
6.
Ordered:
Available:
Give
7.
Ordered:
Available:
Phenobarbital Elixir 60 mg po
Phenobarbital Elixir 20 mg per 5 ml
ml
Librium 10 mg
Librium 100 mg in 2 ml
ml
Sulfisoxazole 1 gm IV
Sulfisoxazole 4 gm in 10 ml
ml
Atropine Sulfate 0.2 mg IV
Atropine Sulfate 0.4 mg per ml
ml
Compazine syrup 10 mg po
Compazine 5 mg per ml
ml
Penicillin 400,000 Units
Penicillin 200,000 Units per tablet
tablet(s)
Penicillin 3,000,000 Units IV
Penicillin 5,000,000 Units (powder) per vial
After adding 18 ml of sterile water to the powder, each 1 ml of solution
will contain 250,000 Units
Draw up
8.
9.
Ordered:
Available:
ml
Aminophylline 500 mg via IV
Aminophylline 250 mg per 10 ml ampule
Draw up
ml.
Using
ampules
Ordered:
Ampicillin 0.5 gm po
18
Available:
Ampicillin 250 mg per capsule
Give
10. Ordered:
Available:
capsules
Colace syrup 100 mg po
Colace syrup 20 mg per 5 ml
Give
11. Ordered:
Available:
ml
Pentobarbital Sodium 25 mg IM
Pentobarbital Sodium 100 mg per 2 ml Tubex
Draw up
ml.
12. Ordered:
Available
Digoxin 0.05 mg
Digoxin 0.1 mg per tablet
Give
tablet(s)
13. Ordered:
Available
Gentamycin (Garamycin) 60 mg per IV Soluset

Gentamycin 40 mg per ml
Draw up
14. Ordered:
Available:
ml
Ampicillin 500 mg per IV
Ampicillin 1 gm per vial (powder)
After adding 3.4 ml of Sterile Water to the Powder, each 1 ml of solution
will contain 250 mg.
Draw up
15. Ordered:
Available
ml
Morphine 8 mg SC
Morphine 10 mg in 1 ml
Draw up
16. Ordered:
Available
ml
1000 ml D5W over an 8 hour period
Microdrip (60 drops per ml)
Administer
17. Ordered:
Available:
1000 ml D5W over a 5 hour period

Macrodrip (10 drops per ml)
Administer
18. Ordered:
Available
drops per min
drops per min
150 ml of NS to run over 3 hours

Microdrip (60 drops per ml)
19
Administer
19. Ordered:
Available:
drops per minute
Coumadin 7.5 mg po
Coumadin 5 mg per scored tablet
Give
20. Ordered:
Available:
tablet(s)
1 Unit of Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBC) totaling 264 ml to run over 4 hours
Y-Type Blood Administration Set that yields 10 drops per ml
Administer
21. Ordered:
Available:
drops per minute
IV of 1000 ml of D5W with 15 mEq of Potassium Chloride to run over 10 hours

Macrodrip (10 drops per ml)
Administer
22. Ordered:
Available:
drops per minute
Cimetidine Elixir 600 mg po qhs

Cimetidine Elixir 300 mg per 5 ml
Give
23. Ordered:
Available:
ml
Dilantin Suspension 100 mg po
Dilantin Suspension 125 mg per 5 ml
Give
24. Ordered:
Available:
ml
Penicillin G 2,000,000 Units IV
Penicillin G 5,000,000 Units (powder) per vial
After adding 18 ml of sterile water to the powder, each 1 ml of solution
will contain 250,000 units.
Give
25. Ordered:
Available:
ml
Heparin 8,000 Units IV Soluset
a) Heparin 10,000 units in 1 ml
b) Heparin 1,000 in 1 ml
How much of each will you give?

a) Draw up
ml
b) Draw up
ml
26. Ordered:
Available:
Draw up
Gentamycin 60 mg IM
Gentamycin 80 mg per 2 ml vial
ml
20
27. Ordered:
Available:
Regular Insulin 6 Units and

NPH Insulin 8 Units Subcutaneous q am
Regular Insulin 100 Units per ml and
NPH Insulin 100 Units per ml
What is the total amount of Units to be drawn up using a U-100 syringe?
____________________________
28. Ordered:
Available:
Dopamine 1.6 mg per ml in 250 ml of D5W IV

Dopamine 400 mg per 10 ml syringe
How many ml of Dopamine should be added to 250 ml of D5W to give
a concentration of 1.6 mg per ml?
Draw up
ml
21
PHARMACOLOGY ABBREVIATION PRACTICE EXERCISE

The Pharmacology Exam contains questions identifying commonly known abbreviations that are used when
medications are ordered. The following is a list of abbreviations that can be completed as a practice exercise.
These abbreviations are only examples of some of the abbreviations that may appear on the exam. It is not an
exhaustive list, therefore, you will need to study all common abbreviations that may appear in a medication order.
Write the word(s) represented by the following abbreviations:
1. L
2. NKA _____________________________________________________________
3. gm ______________________________________________________________
4. KVO _____________________________________________________________
5. qh_______________________________________________________________
6. ac _______________________________________________________________
7. bid_______________________________________________________________
8. po _______________________________________________________________
9. qam______________________________________________________________
10.
h ______________________________________________________________
11.
q4h____________________________________________________________
12.
stat____________________________________________________________
13.
qhs ____________________________________________________________
14.
mg_____________________________________________________________
15.
Kg_____________________________________________________________
16.
NPO___________________________________________________________
17.
pr_____________________________________________________________
18.
ml_____________________________________________________________
19.
SQ____________________________________________________________
20.
prn____________________________________________________________
21.
IM_____________________________________________________________
22.
q2h____________________________________________________________
23.
min____________________________________________________________
22
CALCULATION AND CONVERSION STUDY GUIDE

ANSWER KEY
Practice Exercise:
Page 16
1)
10) 30
19) 0.5
28) 50
2)
11) 30
20) 310
29) 3.0
3)
12) 30
21) 310
30) 0.0025
4)
0.4
13) 80
22) 310
31) 1.8
5)
14) 80
23) 8.1
32) 0.15525
6)
15) 80
24) 0.81
33) 0.10
7)
81
16) 0.04
25) 0.081
34) 0.3125
8)
81
17) 7
26) 245
35) 500
9)
81
18) 50
27) 7
36) 0.0015
Practice Exercises: Page 17

1)
700 mg
11) 0.55 Liters
21) 0.006 gm
31) 40 ml
2)
50 mg
12) 1600 mg
22) 0.03 gm
32) 3000 ml
3)
0.015 gm
13) 15,200 mg
23) 0.012 gm
33) 320 ml
4)
0.1 gm
14) 18 mg
24) 40 mg
34) 25,000 mg
5)
16 mg
15) .75 L
25) 4100 ml
35) 0.004 gm
6)
0.001 gm
16) 130,000 ml
26) 0.003 gm
36) 900 mg
7)
0.3 mg
17) 0.0008 gm
27) 0.06 gm
37) 27.5 mg
8)
2 mg.
18) 0.025 gm
28) 30 mg
38) 1400 mg
9)
4000 mg
19) 0.00015 gm
29) 6 mg
39) 10 mg
20) 2250 mg
30) 0.00001 gm
40) 1000 ml
10) 0.0005 gm
23
CALCULATION AND CONVERSION STUDY GUIDE
ANSWER KEY
Practice Problems pp. 18-21
1)
15 ml
16)
125 drops per min
2)
0.2 ml
17)
33 drops per min
3)
2.5 ml
18)
50 drops per min
4)
0.5 ml
19)
1.5 or 1 tablets
5)
2 ml
20)
11 drops per min
6)
2 tablets
21)
17 drops per min
7)
12 ml
22)
10 ml
8)
20 ml. using 2 ampules
23)
4.0 ml
9)
2 capsules
24)
8.0 ml
25 ml
25)
a. 0.8 ml
10)
11)0.5 ml
b. 8.0 ml
12)
0.5 tablet or tablet
26)
1.5 ml
13)
1.5 ml
27)
14 Units
14)
2.0 ml
28)
10 ml
15)
0.8 ml
24
PHARMACOLOGY ABBREVIATIONS EXERCISE
ANSWER KEY
1)
Liter
2)
No Known Allergies
3)
Gram
4)
Keep Vein Open
5)
Every Hour
6)
Before Meals
7)
Two Times a Day
8)
By Mouth
9)
Every Morning
10)
Hour
11)
Every Four Hours
12)
Immediately
13)
Every Night
14)
Milligram
15)
Kilogram
16)
Nothing By Mouth
17)
Per Rectum
18)
Milliliter
19)
Subcutaneous
20)
As Often as Necessary/Whenever Necessary
21)
Intramuscular
22)
Every Two Hours
23)
Minute
DRUG REVIEW LIST
25
This list of medications represents some of the most frequently administered drugs at New York Hospital
Queens and is provided as a guide to help you prepare for the pharmacology test.
Minimally, your knowledge of these drugs should include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1.
Drug category/classification
Therapeutic actions
Side effects/toxic effects
Contraindications for administration
Common nursing implications/considerations for administration
Antiarrhythmics
Adenosine (Adenocard)
Amiodarone (Cordarone)
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Lidocaine HCl (Xylocaine)
Propranolol HCl (Inderal)
Verapamil (Isoptin)
2.
Cardioactive Glycosides
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
3.
Anticoagulants
Heparin
Warfarin Sodium (Coumadin)
4.
Antimicrobials/Aminoglycosides
Amphotericin B
Ampicillin (Omnipen)
Gentamicin (Garamycin)
Meropenem (Merrem)
Metronidazole (Flagyl)
Penicillin G
Vancomycin (Vancocin)
5.
Analgesics
6.
Codeine Sulfate
Meperidine HCL (Demerol)
Morphine Sulfate
Analgesics
26
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Aspirin
7.
Antipsychotics
Haloperidol (Haldol)
8.
Antidepressants
Amitriptyline HCL (Elavil)
Fluoxetine HCL (Prozac)
9.
Diuretics
Furosemide (Lasix)
Hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril)
10. Antihypertensives
Apresoline (Hydralazine)
Metoprolol (Toprol XL)
Propanolol HCL (Inderal)
Ramipril (Altace)
11. Antidiabetics
Insulin
Metformin (Glucophage)
12. Steroids
Dexamethasone (Decadron)
Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol)
Prednisone (Deltasone)
13. Hormones
Levathyroxine Sodium (Synthroid)
Oxytocin (Pitocin)
14. Gastrointestinal Agents
Docusate Sodium (Colace)
Famotidine (Pepcid)
27
Metoclopramide HCL (Reglan)

Pantoprazole (Protonix)
15. Bronchodilators
Albuterol (Proventil)
Fluticasone Salmeterol (Advair)
Ipratropium (Atrovent)
Ipratropium & Albuterol (Duoneb)
Levalbuterol (Xopenex)
Metaproterenol Sulfate (Alupent)
Terbutaline Sulfate (Brethine)
Tiotropium bromide (Spiriva)
16. Anticonvulsants
Phenytoin Sodium (Dilantin)
17. Emergency Medications (according to Advance Cardiac Life Support Standards)
Adenosine (Adenocard)
Atropine Sulfate
Bretylium Tosylate (Bretylol)
Dopamine HCL (Intropin)
Epinephrine HCL (Adrenalin)
Isoproterenol HCL (Isuprel)
Lidocaine HCL (Xylocaine)
Nitroglycerin
Sodium Bicarbonate
Verapamil HCL (Isoptin)
18. Electrolyte Replacement/Vitamins
Calcium Chloride
Calcium Gluconate
Magnesium Sulfate
Potassium (K-DUR, Potassium Chloride-IV and PO)
Potassium Phosphate
Vitamin B12
28
DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION
PHARMACOLOGY REFERENCES
Karch, A.M. (2008). Lippincotts Nursing Drug Guide. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams
and Wilkins.
Morris, D. G. (2005). Calculate with Confidence. St. Louis: Mosby and Company.
PDR Nurses Drug Handbook. (2009). Montvale, New Jersey: Thomson Reuters.
Skidmore-Roth, L. (2009). Mosbys Nursing Drug Reference. 22nd ed. St. Louis: C.V. Mosby.
Turkoski, B.B., Lance, B.R., & Bonfiglio, M.F. (2008). 9 th ed. Drug Information Handbook for
Nursing. Valley Stream, New York: Lexi-Comp.
29

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DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL

DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION

ADULT PHARMACOLOGY EXAM B REVIEW STUDY GUIDE

Pharmacology and Abbreviations

Conversions and Calculations

PHARMACOLOGY BOOKS, AND/OR THE STUDY GUIDE

Taking the Exam

You may use a calculator during the exam.

EMPLOYMENT IS CONTINGENT UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE PHARMACOLOGY

December 2009 Revised

0.325 is equal to 0.32500

MOVING THE DECIMAL POINT IN DIVISION

3. Proceed with Division

MOVING THE DECIMAL POINT IN MULTIPLICATION

CONVERTING FROM GRAMS TO MILLIGRAMS AND THE REVERSE

Desired dosage (D)

is the amount you wish to administer.

is the amount you have on HAND.

is the amount in which the available dosage is contained.

Tetracycline 0.5 gm po Dosage

Convert: 0.5 gm to 500 mg

Proportion: (D) 500 (X)

COMPUTING RECONSTITUTED DOSAGES

The reconstituted dosage

Penicillin 1,000,000 Units in 300 ml Solution

* Available Dosage is now 2,000,000 Units per ml

Reconstitute powder with 1.5 ml Sterile Water*

*Available Dosage is now 1 gm in 1.5 ml Sterile Water

Isuprel 0.01 mg per ml 100 ml D5W

How many ml of Isuprel should be added to 100 ml

10 Units + 4 Units = 14 Units

COMPUTING INTRAVENOUS PROBLEMS

Check administration set to be used:

Proceed using the following formula:

Solution ordered (ml)

Answer: 100 drops/min

Solution ordered (ml) 6

Check administration set to be used:

Change hours to minutes by multiplying the number of hours by 60.

Proceed using the following formula:

Number of drops to be administered per min (X)

Administer 1000 ml D5W over 10 hours using a macrodrip:

Multiply the Means and Extremes

Answer: 100 drops/min

Check administration set to be used:

Change hours to minutes multiplying the number of hours by 60.

Proceed using the following formula:

Number of drops to be administered per min (X)

Answer: 13 drops per min

Multiply the Means and Extremes

Answer: Total IV replacement fluid = 300 ml

Using microdrip administration set

Using macrodrip administration set

24) 40) 32.4

25) 400) 32.4

26) 0.05) 12.25

17) 0.8) 5.6

27) 0.006) 0.042

18) 0.004) 0.2

28) 0.15) 7.5

19) 0.016) 0.008

Multiply the following:

Express the following Metric Quantities in the Metric equivalents

25. 4.1 Liter