NCLEX Pharmacology Cheat Sheet
Document Overview
This pharmacology cheat sheet provides a concise reference to high■yield medications commonly
tested on the NCLEX■RN examination. The guide is designed to help nursing students quickly review
essential drug information, including drug classifications and key nursing considerations that are
important for safe medication administration and exam preparation.
The medications in this document are organized by clinical category to make studying more structured
and efficient. Each drug is presented in a clear table format showing the drug name, pharmacological
class, and important nursing considerations that nurses must monitor when administering these
medications.
Categories included in this guide: • Opioid Analgesics • Cardiovascular Medications • Diuretics •
Anticoagulants • Respiratory Medications • Diabetes Medications • Antibiotics • Gastrointestinal
Medications • Neurological Medications • Psychiatric Medications • Emergency Medications
Opioid Analgesics
Drug Class Key Nursing Consideration
Morphine Opioid Monitor respiratory rate
Fentanyl Opioid Very potent; monitor sedation
Oxycodone Opioid Risk of constipation
Hydromorphone Opioid Monitor respiratory status
Codeine Opioid May cause drowsiness
Methadone Opioid Used for opioid dependence
Tramadol Opioid-like analgesic Risk of seizures
Nalbuphine Opioid analgesic Moderate pain treatment
Cardiovascular Medications
Drug Class Key Nursing Consideration
Metoprolol Beta blocker Hold if HR <60 bpm
Atenolol Beta blocker Monitor BP and pulse
Propranolol Beta blocker May cause bronchoconstriction
Lisinopril ACE inhibitor Monitor potassium
Enalapril ACE inhibitor Risk of cough
Losartan ARB Used if ACE inhibitors not tolerated
, Amlodipine Calcium channel blocker Monitor BP
Verapamil Calcium channel blocker Monitor HR
Diltiazem Calcium channel blocker Used for arrhythmias
Nitroglycerin Nitrate May cause hypotension
Digoxin Cardiac glycoside Check apical pulse
Atorvastatin Statin Monitor liver enzymes
Simvastatin Statin Risk of myopathy
Clopidogrel Antiplatelet Prevent clot formation
Diuretics
Drug Class Key Nursing Consideration
Furosemide Loop diuretic Monitor potassium
Bumetanide Loop diuretic Risk of dehydration
Hydrochlorothiazide Thiazide diuretic Monitor sodium
Spironolactone Potassium sparing diuretic Risk hyperkalemia
Anticoagulants
Drug Class Key Nursing Consideration
Heparin Anticoagulant Monitor aPTT
Enoxaparin LMWH Monitor bleeding
Warfarin Anticoagulant Monitor INR
Protamine sulfate Antidote Reverses heparin
Vitamin K Antidote Reverses warfarin
Respiratory Medications
Drug Class Key Nursing Consideration
Albuterol Bronchodilator Relieves bronchospasm
Salmeterol Long acting bronchodilator Maintenance therapy
Ipratropium Anticholinergic bronchodilator Used for COPD
Montelukast Leukotriene inhibitor Asthma prevention
Document Overview
This pharmacology cheat sheet provides a concise reference to high■yield medications commonly
tested on the NCLEX■RN examination. The guide is designed to help nursing students quickly review
essential drug information, including drug classifications and key nursing considerations that are
important for safe medication administration and exam preparation.
The medications in this document are organized by clinical category to make studying more structured
and efficient. Each drug is presented in a clear table format showing the drug name, pharmacological
class, and important nursing considerations that nurses must monitor when administering these
medications.
Categories included in this guide: • Opioid Analgesics • Cardiovascular Medications • Diuretics •
Anticoagulants • Respiratory Medications • Diabetes Medications • Antibiotics • Gastrointestinal
Medications • Neurological Medications • Psychiatric Medications • Emergency Medications
Opioid Analgesics
Drug Class Key Nursing Consideration
Morphine Opioid Monitor respiratory rate
Fentanyl Opioid Very potent; monitor sedation
Oxycodone Opioid Risk of constipation
Hydromorphone Opioid Monitor respiratory status
Codeine Opioid May cause drowsiness
Methadone Opioid Used for opioid dependence
Tramadol Opioid-like analgesic Risk of seizures
Nalbuphine Opioid analgesic Moderate pain treatment
Cardiovascular Medications
Drug Class Key Nursing Consideration
Metoprolol Beta blocker Hold if HR <60 bpm
Atenolol Beta blocker Monitor BP and pulse
Propranolol Beta blocker May cause bronchoconstriction
Lisinopril ACE inhibitor Monitor potassium
Enalapril ACE inhibitor Risk of cough
Losartan ARB Used if ACE inhibitors not tolerated
, Amlodipine Calcium channel blocker Monitor BP
Verapamil Calcium channel blocker Monitor HR
Diltiazem Calcium channel blocker Used for arrhythmias
Nitroglycerin Nitrate May cause hypotension
Digoxin Cardiac glycoside Check apical pulse
Atorvastatin Statin Monitor liver enzymes
Simvastatin Statin Risk of myopathy
Clopidogrel Antiplatelet Prevent clot formation
Diuretics
Drug Class Key Nursing Consideration
Furosemide Loop diuretic Monitor potassium
Bumetanide Loop diuretic Risk of dehydration
Hydrochlorothiazide Thiazide diuretic Monitor sodium
Spironolactone Potassium sparing diuretic Risk hyperkalemia
Anticoagulants
Drug Class Key Nursing Consideration
Heparin Anticoagulant Monitor aPTT
Enoxaparin LMWH Monitor bleeding
Warfarin Anticoagulant Monitor INR
Protamine sulfate Antidote Reverses heparin
Vitamin K Antidote Reverses warfarin
Respiratory Medications
Drug Class Key Nursing Consideration
Albuterol Bronchodilator Relieves bronchospasm
Salmeterol Long acting bronchodilator Maintenance therapy
Ipratropium Anticholinergic bronchodilator Used for COPD
Montelukast Leukotriene inhibitor Asthma prevention
