brenda
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 2
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Hi, I am new to this forum,
I have a problem here, I have an exam in 3 days and really need some help in how to study for it? Just how do I study for pharmacology, your study tips are appreciated.
I am 2 weeks behind my classroom due to the fact I have been hospitalized for 2 weeks with severe abdominal surgery and I fear that I will not be successful can you great people on this forum please help me out? any help is appreciated
These are the topics that I will be tested on
describe antilipemics
describe antihypertensives
describe medications used to treat heart failure
describe diuretics
describe antianginal agents
describe coagulation modifier agents
Describe analgesics including non steriodal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS)
describe CNS depressants
describe anti-anxiety agents
describe medications used for affective disorders
describe anipsychotics
The major area I was told was to focus on was digoxin
Please if you can help out I would be so greatful
any suggestions
any tips would be wonderful
Thank you
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| Tiff
Forum Guru
Topics: 54
Posts: 563
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Sounds like you have a really tough exam covering 2, maybe 3 very major topics. In three days, can be tough, but not completely impossible. There's no real easy way do this. Most people adopt a style that really just works for them. All I can say is to know the drug class for each of the cardiovascular drugs and their primary function. Separate the drugs by mechanism of action and side effects. Use a mnemonic for quick memorization for all the drugs in its own class. Then do the same for the the CNS/Pscyh drugs.
Digoxin is probably one of the tougher CV drugs to understand. If you're pressed for time, memorize the basics. It's a cardiac glycoside used to enhance myocardial contractility. It inhibits Na/K/ATPase. This allows for an increased calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum which in turn makes a stronger force of contraction. Also know that it can decreases ventricular rates with is helpful in arrythmias. Therefore it's also an antiarrythmic drug. Toxicity (most notable - yellow vision, diarrhea, arrhythmia) is more likely to occur in someone with low K levels. So it makes sense that K can be used to help reverse it. But it's more important to know that treatment of toxicity is not just to normalize K, but to administer lidocaine and antidig-Fab fragments.
Best thing to do is organize the all the drugs- by drug class, drug, mechanism, and side effect. Then spend a couple of days trying to memorize. Hope this helps. Good luck. 
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| P4a99
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 34
Posts: 2,285
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I'm sorry mate but this is probably not the most ideal place to post your question. This forum is meant for USMLE issues exclusively.
GL with your exam.
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2008 Step 1 Study Plan Discussion ..... I am a moderator not a source for download links. Please do not ask me for any.
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| doctor123
Forum Senior
Topics: 12
Posts: 251
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Hey Young fellow
Its a Sin to get depressed
Try USMLE Road Map. It will not get you AAAAAAAAAA but definitely between B and B + ve
DR. 123
Motivation is a key of Success, Never Let yourself down at any moment in life. You are the Best , You are the Best.
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ALLAH; guide me to the Path of Success.
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