NCLEX Pharmacology Snapshot — Key Drugs & Side Effects
�NCLEX Pharmacology Snapshot — Key Drugs & Side Effects
Conquer NCLEX Pharmacology — The Ultimate Drug & Side-
Effect Snapshot! ⭐ Simplified charts, case questions, and safety
rationales — all in one place.
Section Topic
1 Pharmacology in NCLEX – What You Must Know
2 Key Drug Classes + Major Side Effects
3 10 Mini Case Scenarios with Rationales
4 High-Alert Medication Safety Rules
5 Answer Key + Study Tips
10/28/2025
, 1. Pharmacology in NCLEX – What You Must Know
Pharmacology makes up nearly 15–20% of the NCLEX exam.
The test doesn’t want you to memorize every drug — it wants to know if you can connect the
side effects, actions, and safety priorities.
⭐ NCLEX Focus Areas:
High-alert meds (insulin, anticoagulants, digoxin)
Patient teaching and safety
Adverse vs. expected effects
Holding parameters (e.g., HR < 60, BP < 90)
Priority nursing actions
Tip: If a side effect can kill the patient — it’s the answer.
2. Key Drug Classes + Major Side Effects
Drug Class Common Examples Key Nursing Points Watch For
Beta Blockers Metoprolol, Atenolol Decrease HR/BP Bradycardia, hypotension,
bronchospasm
ACE Inhibitors Lisinopril, Enalapril Treat HTN, HF Cough, hyperkalemia,
angioedema
Diuretics Furosemide, HCTZ Remove excess fluid Hypokalemia, dehydration
Anticoagulants Warfarin, Heparin Prevent clots Bleeding, check INR/PTT
Insulins Lispro, Regular, NPH, Control blood sugar Hypoglycemia risk
Glargine
Opioids Morphine, Fentanyl Pain control Respiratory depression,
constipation
Antibiotics Amoxicillin, Fight infection Allergy, renal toxicity
Vancomycin
Anticonvulsants Phenytoin, Valproic Acid Prevent seizures Gingival hyperplasia, liver
issues
Antidepressants SSRIs, MAOIs Balance mood Serotonin syndrome,
hypertensive crisis
Corticosteroids Prednisone, Anti-inflammatory Hyperglycemia, infection risk
Dexamethasone
Cardiac Glycosides Digoxin Strengthen heart Bradycardia, toxicity, vision
contraction changes
Antipsychotics Haloperidol, Clozapine Control hallucinations EPS, agranulocytosis
Antiemetics Ondansetron, Prevent nausea QT prolongation, drowsiness
Metoclopramide
Bronchodilators Albuterol, Ipratropium Open airways Tremor, tachycardia
�NCLEX Pharmacology Snapshot — Key Drugs & Side Effects
Conquer NCLEX Pharmacology — The Ultimate Drug & Side-
Effect Snapshot! ⭐ Simplified charts, case questions, and safety
rationales — all in one place.
Section Topic
1 Pharmacology in NCLEX – What You Must Know
2 Key Drug Classes + Major Side Effects
3 10 Mini Case Scenarios with Rationales
4 High-Alert Medication Safety Rules
5 Answer Key + Study Tips
10/28/2025
, 1. Pharmacology in NCLEX – What You Must Know
Pharmacology makes up nearly 15–20% of the NCLEX exam.
The test doesn’t want you to memorize every drug — it wants to know if you can connect the
side effects, actions, and safety priorities.
⭐ NCLEX Focus Areas:
High-alert meds (insulin, anticoagulants, digoxin)
Patient teaching and safety
Adverse vs. expected effects
Holding parameters (e.g., HR < 60, BP < 90)
Priority nursing actions
Tip: If a side effect can kill the patient — it’s the answer.
2. Key Drug Classes + Major Side Effects
Drug Class Common Examples Key Nursing Points Watch For
Beta Blockers Metoprolol, Atenolol Decrease HR/BP Bradycardia, hypotension,
bronchospasm
ACE Inhibitors Lisinopril, Enalapril Treat HTN, HF Cough, hyperkalemia,
angioedema
Diuretics Furosemide, HCTZ Remove excess fluid Hypokalemia, dehydration
Anticoagulants Warfarin, Heparin Prevent clots Bleeding, check INR/PTT
Insulins Lispro, Regular, NPH, Control blood sugar Hypoglycemia risk
Glargine
Opioids Morphine, Fentanyl Pain control Respiratory depression,
constipation
Antibiotics Amoxicillin, Fight infection Allergy, renal toxicity
Vancomycin
Anticonvulsants Phenytoin, Valproic Acid Prevent seizures Gingival hyperplasia, liver
issues
Antidepressants SSRIs, MAOIs Balance mood Serotonin syndrome,
hypertensive crisis
Corticosteroids Prednisone, Anti-inflammatory Hyperglycemia, infection risk
Dexamethasone
Cardiac Glycosides Digoxin Strengthen heart Bradycardia, toxicity, vision
contraction changes
Antipsychotics Haloperidol, Clozapine Control hallucinations EPS, agranulocytosis
Antiemetics Ondansetron, Prevent nausea QT prolongation, drowsiness
Metoclopramide
Bronchodilators Albuterol, Ipratropium Open airways Tremor, tachycardia
