PHARMACOLOGY
Complete Master Summary & Clinical Actions
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions · Verified Rationales · High-Yield Nursing
Considerations
Davis Advantage & ATI/HESI Aligned Content Map | 2025/2026 Edition
10 Drug Classification 50 NCLEX-Style Quick-Reference
Systems Q&A with Rationales Antidote & Lab Tables
Written for nursing students preparing for Pharmacology coursework,
Med-Surg integration exams, and the NCLEX-RN.
Pharmacology Complete Master Summary | Page 1 | © All Rights Reserved
, SECTION | HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
This guide is organized by body system and drug classification, the same way pharmacology
content is tested on unit exams and the NCLEX. Each drug class includes the mechanism of
action, the nursing considerations that are actually tested, the adverse effects you must catch
early, and the patient teaching points that show up repeatedly on exams.
• Read one drug class block at a time — don't try to cover a whole section in one sitting.
• After each drug class, immediately attempt the matching practice questions in Section 11 before
moving on.
• The ★ Memory Hook in each block is designed to be the one thing you recall first during an
exam.
• Red HIGH-ALERT boxes mark black-box warnings and high-alert medications — these are the
highest-yield facts in pharmacology testing.
• Use Section 12's quick-reference tables as your final 48-hour review before any exam.
Pharmacology Complete Master Summary | Page 2 | © All Rights Reserved
,SECTION | TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 Cardiovascular Medications 4
Section 2 Respiratory Medications 6
Section 3 Endocrine & Diabetes Medications 7
Section 4 Neurological & Psychiatric Medications 9
Section 5 Pain Management Medications 11
Section 6 Gastrointestinal Medications 12
Section 7 Renal & Electrolyte Management 13
Section 8 Anti-Infective Medications 14
Section 9 Immune & Anti-Inflammatory Medications 16
Section 10 Obstetric & Maternal-Newborn Pharmacology 17
Section 11 50 NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales 18
Quick-Reference Tables (Antidotes, Lab Values, High-Alert
Section 12 26
Meds)
Section 13 Final Exam Strategy 28
Pharmacology Complete Master Summary | Page 3 | © All Rights Reserved
, SECTION 1 | CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS
A. Beta-Blockers
Mechanism of Action: Block beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart, reducing heart rate,
contractility, and oxygen demand.
Key Drugs: metoprolol, atenolol, propranolol, carvedilol
Critical Nursing Considerations:
• Check heart rate and blood pressure before every dose; hold for HR below 50-60 bpm per
protocol.
• Never stop abruptly — abrupt withdrawal can trigger rebound hypertension or rebound
tachycardia and chest pain.
• Use cautiously in patients with asthma or COPD; non-selective agents (propranolol) can trigger
bronchospasm.
• Can mask the early signs of hypoglycemia in diabetic patients (tachycardia is blunted).
Adverse Effects to Monitor:
• Bradycardia and hypotension
• Fatigue and dizziness
• Bronchospasm (non-selective agents)
• Masked hypoglycemia symptoms in diabetics
Patient Teaching Priorities:
• Teach patients to check their pulse at home and report HR under 50.
• Change positions slowly to prevent orthostatic hypotension.
• Never discontinue the medication without consulting the provider, even if feeling well.
★ MEMORY HOOK: 'Blockers Block' — think of beta-blockers as putting a block on the heart's
accelerator pedal: slower rate, less force, less oxygen burned.
Pharmacology Complete Master Summary | Page 4 | © All Rights Reserved
,B. ACE Inhibitors
Mechanism of Action: Block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, preventing
vasoconstriction and reducing aldosterone-driven sodium/water retention.
Key Drugs: lisinopril, enalapril, captopril
Critical Nursing Considerations:
• Monitor potassium levels — ACE inhibitors cause potassium retention and can precipitate
hyperkalemia.
• Watch for a persistent dry cough, the most common reason patients stop taking this class.
• Check renal function (BUN/creatinine) before and during therapy.
• Contraindicated in pregnancy — causes fetal renal damage; confirm pregnancy status before
starting in women of childbearing age.
Adverse Effects to Monitor:
• Angioedema (swelling of face/lips/tongue — medical emergency)
• Hyperkalemia
• Persistent dry cough
• First-dose hypotension
HIGH-ALERT / BLACK BOX WARNING: Contraindicated in pregnancy (Category D/X) — can
cause fetal injury or death.
Patient Teaching Priorities:
• Report any swelling of the face, lips, or tongue immediately — this signals angioedema.
• Avoid potassium supplements and salt substitutes containing potassium unless directed.
• Rise slowly from sitting or lying to reduce first-dose hypotension risk.
★ MEMORY HOOK: ACE inhibitors end in '-pril' and can cause a 'pril cough' — the dry cough is the
signature side effect.
Pharmacology Complete Master Summary | Page 5 | © All Rights Reserved
Complete Master Summary & Clinical Actions
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions · Verified Rationales · High-Yield Nursing
Considerations
Davis Advantage & ATI/HESI Aligned Content Map | 2025/2026 Edition
10 Drug Classification 50 NCLEX-Style Quick-Reference
Systems Q&A with Rationales Antidote & Lab Tables
Written for nursing students preparing for Pharmacology coursework,
Med-Surg integration exams, and the NCLEX-RN.
Pharmacology Complete Master Summary | Page 1 | © All Rights Reserved
, SECTION | HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
This guide is organized by body system and drug classification, the same way pharmacology
content is tested on unit exams and the NCLEX. Each drug class includes the mechanism of
action, the nursing considerations that are actually tested, the adverse effects you must catch
early, and the patient teaching points that show up repeatedly on exams.
• Read one drug class block at a time — don't try to cover a whole section in one sitting.
• After each drug class, immediately attempt the matching practice questions in Section 11 before
moving on.
• The ★ Memory Hook in each block is designed to be the one thing you recall first during an
exam.
• Red HIGH-ALERT boxes mark black-box warnings and high-alert medications — these are the
highest-yield facts in pharmacology testing.
• Use Section 12's quick-reference tables as your final 48-hour review before any exam.
Pharmacology Complete Master Summary | Page 2 | © All Rights Reserved
,SECTION | TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 Cardiovascular Medications 4
Section 2 Respiratory Medications 6
Section 3 Endocrine & Diabetes Medications 7
Section 4 Neurological & Psychiatric Medications 9
Section 5 Pain Management Medications 11
Section 6 Gastrointestinal Medications 12
Section 7 Renal & Electrolyte Management 13
Section 8 Anti-Infective Medications 14
Section 9 Immune & Anti-Inflammatory Medications 16
Section 10 Obstetric & Maternal-Newborn Pharmacology 17
Section 11 50 NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales 18
Quick-Reference Tables (Antidotes, Lab Values, High-Alert
Section 12 26
Meds)
Section 13 Final Exam Strategy 28
Pharmacology Complete Master Summary | Page 3 | © All Rights Reserved
, SECTION 1 | CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS
A. Beta-Blockers
Mechanism of Action: Block beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart, reducing heart rate,
contractility, and oxygen demand.
Key Drugs: metoprolol, atenolol, propranolol, carvedilol
Critical Nursing Considerations:
• Check heart rate and blood pressure before every dose; hold for HR below 50-60 bpm per
protocol.
• Never stop abruptly — abrupt withdrawal can trigger rebound hypertension or rebound
tachycardia and chest pain.
• Use cautiously in patients with asthma or COPD; non-selective agents (propranolol) can trigger
bronchospasm.
• Can mask the early signs of hypoglycemia in diabetic patients (tachycardia is blunted).
Adverse Effects to Monitor:
• Bradycardia and hypotension
• Fatigue and dizziness
• Bronchospasm (non-selective agents)
• Masked hypoglycemia symptoms in diabetics
Patient Teaching Priorities:
• Teach patients to check their pulse at home and report HR under 50.
• Change positions slowly to prevent orthostatic hypotension.
• Never discontinue the medication without consulting the provider, even if feeling well.
★ MEMORY HOOK: 'Blockers Block' — think of beta-blockers as putting a block on the heart's
accelerator pedal: slower rate, less force, less oxygen burned.
Pharmacology Complete Master Summary | Page 4 | © All Rights Reserved
,B. ACE Inhibitors
Mechanism of Action: Block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, preventing
vasoconstriction and reducing aldosterone-driven sodium/water retention.
Key Drugs: lisinopril, enalapril, captopril
Critical Nursing Considerations:
• Monitor potassium levels — ACE inhibitors cause potassium retention and can precipitate
hyperkalemia.
• Watch for a persistent dry cough, the most common reason patients stop taking this class.
• Check renal function (BUN/creatinine) before and during therapy.
• Contraindicated in pregnancy — causes fetal renal damage; confirm pregnancy status before
starting in women of childbearing age.
Adverse Effects to Monitor:
• Angioedema (swelling of face/lips/tongue — medical emergency)
• Hyperkalemia
• Persistent dry cough
• First-dose hypotension
HIGH-ALERT / BLACK BOX WARNING: Contraindicated in pregnancy (Category D/X) — can
cause fetal injury or death.
Patient Teaching Priorities:
• Report any swelling of the face, lips, or tongue immediately — this signals angioedema.
• Avoid potassium supplements and salt substitutes containing potassium unless directed.
• Rise slowly from sitting or lying to reduce first-dose hypotension risk.
★ MEMORY HOOK: ACE inhibitors end in '-pril' and can cause a 'pril cough' — the dry cough is the
signature side effect.
Pharmacology Complete Master Summary | Page 5 | © All Rights Reserved
