NURSING PHARMACOLOGY
MASTER STUDY GUIDE
2026
NCLEX-RN • ATI Proctored • HESI • NP Boards
100+ High-Yield Q&A • Drug Class Tables • NCLEX Tips • Mnemonics
Comprehensive exam-focused pharmacology notes for nursing
students
22+ Pages 8 Drug Classes PDF Format NCLEX / ATI Level
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics 3
2. Antibiotics — Drug Class Overview 4
3. Cardiovascular Drugs 6
4. Respiratory Pharmacology 8
5. Psychiatric & CNS Medications 9
6. Endocrine Pharmacology (Diabetes & Thyroid) 11
7. Pain Management & Opioids 13
8. NCLEX High-Yield Q&A; Practice (10 Questions) 14
9. Mnemonics & Memory Tricks 17
10
Quick-Reference Drug Tables & Study Tips 19
.
, SECTION 1 — PHARMACOKINETICS &
PHARMACODYNAMICS
Understanding how drugs move through the body (pharmacokinetics) and how they exert effects
(pharmacodynamics) is fundamental for every NCLEX and ATI pharmacology question.
The Four Phases: ADME
Absorption: Movement of drug from administration site into bloodstream. Affected by route, pH, food, and
first-pass metabolism.
Distribution: Spread of drug throughout body fluids and tissues. Affected by protein binding, lipid solubility, and
blood-brain barrier.
Metabolism: Biotransformation — primarily in the liver via CYP450 enzymes. Produces active or inactive
metabolites.
Excretion: Elimination — primarily renal. Monitor creatinine clearance (CrCl) for dose adjustments.
Key Pharmacokinetic Terms
Term Definition NCLEX Tip
Half-life (t½) Time for drug concentration to decrease by 50% After 5 half-lives → drug fully eliminated
Therapeutic index Ratio of toxic dose to effective dose Narrow TI drugs need blood level
monitoring
Peak level Highest drug concentration after dose Draw 30–60 min after IV infusion ends
Trough level Lowest concentration before next dose Draw just before next dose is due
First-pass effect Liver metabolism before reaching systemic IV route bypasses first-pass
circulation
■ NARROW THERAPEUTIC INDEX DRUGS — MONITOR CLOSELY
• Digoxin
• Lithium
• Warfarin
• Phenytoin
• Aminoglycosides
• Theophylline
• NCLEX PRIORITY: Always assess for toxicity signs before administering narrow TI medications.
MASTER STUDY GUIDE
2026
NCLEX-RN • ATI Proctored • HESI • NP Boards
100+ High-Yield Q&A • Drug Class Tables • NCLEX Tips • Mnemonics
Comprehensive exam-focused pharmacology notes for nursing
students
22+ Pages 8 Drug Classes PDF Format NCLEX / ATI Level
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics 3
2. Antibiotics — Drug Class Overview 4
3. Cardiovascular Drugs 6
4. Respiratory Pharmacology 8
5. Psychiatric & CNS Medications 9
6. Endocrine Pharmacology (Diabetes & Thyroid) 11
7. Pain Management & Opioids 13
8. NCLEX High-Yield Q&A; Practice (10 Questions) 14
9. Mnemonics & Memory Tricks 17
10
Quick-Reference Drug Tables & Study Tips 19
.
, SECTION 1 — PHARMACOKINETICS &
PHARMACODYNAMICS
Understanding how drugs move through the body (pharmacokinetics) and how they exert effects
(pharmacodynamics) is fundamental for every NCLEX and ATI pharmacology question.
The Four Phases: ADME
Absorption: Movement of drug from administration site into bloodstream. Affected by route, pH, food, and
first-pass metabolism.
Distribution: Spread of drug throughout body fluids and tissues. Affected by protein binding, lipid solubility, and
blood-brain barrier.
Metabolism: Biotransformation — primarily in the liver via CYP450 enzymes. Produces active or inactive
metabolites.
Excretion: Elimination — primarily renal. Monitor creatinine clearance (CrCl) for dose adjustments.
Key Pharmacokinetic Terms
Term Definition NCLEX Tip
Half-life (t½) Time for drug concentration to decrease by 50% After 5 half-lives → drug fully eliminated
Therapeutic index Ratio of toxic dose to effective dose Narrow TI drugs need blood level
monitoring
Peak level Highest drug concentration after dose Draw 30–60 min after IV infusion ends
Trough level Lowest concentration before next dose Draw just before next dose is due
First-pass effect Liver metabolism before reaching systemic IV route bypasses first-pass
circulation
■ NARROW THERAPEUTIC INDEX DRUGS — MONITOR CLOSELY
• Digoxin
• Lithium
• Warfarin
• Phenytoin
• Aminoglycosides
• Theophylline
• NCLEX PRIORITY: Always assess for toxicity signs before administering narrow TI medications.
