NCLEX Pharmacology Pack: Drug Charts, Suffix Mnemonics

NCLEX Pharmacology Pack: Drug Charts, Suffix Mnemonics &
Practice Questions


Drug Suffix Mnemonics
Essential Suffix Memory Tricks
ACE Inhibitors (-pril)
• Mnemonic: "APRIL showers bring May flowers"
• Examples: Lisinopril, Enalapril, Captopril
• Action: Block ACE enzyme → ↓ BP
ARBs (-sartan)
• Mnemonic: "SART-AN blocks angiotensin"
• Examples: Losartan, Valsartan, Olmesartan
• Action: Block angiotensin II receptors
Beta Blockers (-lol)
• Mnemonic: "LOL, your heart rate is LOW"
• Examples: Metoprolol, Propranolol, Atenolol
• Action: Block β receptors → ↓ HR, ↓ BP
Calcium Channel Blockers (-pine)
• Mnemonic: "PINE trees are tall and RELAXED"
• Examples: Amlodipine, Nifedipine, Nicardipine
• Action: Block Ca++ channels → vasodilation

, Proton Pump Inhibitors (-prazole)
• Mnemonic: "PRAise the ZOLE for stopping acid"
• Examples: Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, Lansoprazole
• Action: ↓ gastric acid production
Antibiotics (-cillin, -mycin, -floxacin)
• Mnemonic: "KILL bacteria with these suffixes"
• Examples: Penicillin, Erythromycin, Ciprofloxacin


Major Drug Categories & Charts
Cardiovascular Medications

Key Nursing
Drug Class Examples Primary Action
Considerations

ACE Lisinopril, Monitor K+, dry
↓ BP, ↓ afterload
Inhibitors Enalapril cough S/E

Losartan, ↓ BP, Less cough than
ARBs
Valsartan cardioprotective ACE-I

Metoprolol, ↓ HR, ↓ BP, ↓ Monitor HR <60,
Beta Blockers
Atenolol contractility mask hypoglycemia

Furosemide, ↓ fluid volume, ↓ Monitor electrolytes,
Diuretics
HCTZ BP I&O