Pharmacology Exam 1 – 2025 Verified Study Guide with High-Yield
Concepts, NCLEX-style Questions & Detailed Answers | Must-Know
Pharmacology Topics for Nursing and Health Science Students
Formula for the amount to give
Dr. Order/On hand x Quantity (Dx/OH x Q)
IV flow rate in mL/h: less than 1 hour
total mL ordered/total min ordered x 60 mins
IV flow rate: 1hr or more
total mL ordered /total hrs ordered
Gravity IV formula
total mL x DF (drop factor) / total mins
Formula for IV Hep/insulin: units
med order in units/total units on hand x total mL (Dx/OH x Q)
Formula for IV Hep/insulin: mL
meds ordered in mL/total mL on hand x total units ordered (DX/OH x Q)
how to convert gr to mg
multiply 60
how to convert mg to gr
divide 60
1000mg = _____mL
1
1 tsp equals ____ mL
5
1 Tbs = _____mL
15
1 Tbs = ____tsp
3
1oz = _____mL
30
,1kg = _____lb
2.2
1 gr = ____mg
60
T/F: all IVFs given via gravity (gtt/min) must be rounded to a whole number?
true, cannot count half a drop or 1.3 drop
1 cup = _____mL
250
1 pt = ____mL
500
Rules of rounding for IV fluids delivered on a pump
Should be rounded to the tenths place, but if your pump does not set in decimals, ONLY THEN can you round
to the whole number
Primary IV
-purpose: fluid administration
-Larger volume and continuous (1000mL)
Secondary IV
-purpose: medication administration
-smaller volume (50 mL, 100 mL), administered intermittently
if the amount is greater than a cc (1) round to the
tenths
if the amount is less than a cc (1), round to the
hundredths
IM
intramuscular
IV
intravenous
IVPB
intravenous piggyback; a method of administering medication through an existing IV line
SQ (subcut)
subcutaneously
,po
by mouth
buc
between the gum and inner lining of the cheek
SL
sublingual (under the tongue)
ID
intradermal (into the top layers of the skin, dermis)
ac
before meals
pc
after meals
prn
as needed
stat
immediately
bid
twice daily
tid
3x daily
qid
4x daily
npo
nothing by mouth
Medication Administration Record (MAR)
A sheet used for documentation listing medications prescribed and times to be given
t/f: we should always read the med ordered 3x
true
don't open meds until you are in the
patient's room
, NEVER leave medications at
the patient's bedside
Do not put medication in your
HANDS
If someone else has prepared the medication do you still give it to the patient?
No
Always check what date on meds
expiration
If a drug is cloudy or discolored, do you still give it?
No
If a patient questions the drug or dose, always do what
check the order again
generic name
name assigned by the manufacturer who first develops a drug; it is often derived from the chemical name
(acetaminophen)
brand-name drug
a drug with a registered name or trademark (example: Tylenol)
Tall man lettering
Uppercase letters used within a drug name to highlight differences between look-alike drug names
Fixed combination drugs
Drugs composed of two or more generic medications
What does FDA stand for?
Food and Drug Administration
Function of FDA
To monitor and regulate the manufacturing and marketing of drugs
FDA ensures that drugs are
tested for harmful side effects and labels
T/F: FDA allows marketing of drugs deemed dangerous
False, they prevent it
Only drugs that FDA considers safe can be____
Concepts, NCLEX-style Questions & Detailed Answers | Must-Know
Pharmacology Topics for Nursing and Health Science Students
Formula for the amount to give
Dr. Order/On hand x Quantity (Dx/OH x Q)
IV flow rate in mL/h: less than 1 hour
total mL ordered/total min ordered x 60 mins
IV flow rate: 1hr or more
total mL ordered /total hrs ordered
Gravity IV formula
total mL x DF (drop factor) / total mins
Formula for IV Hep/insulin: units
med order in units/total units on hand x total mL (Dx/OH x Q)
Formula for IV Hep/insulin: mL
meds ordered in mL/total mL on hand x total units ordered (DX/OH x Q)
how to convert gr to mg
multiply 60
how to convert mg to gr
divide 60
1000mg = _____mL
1
1 tsp equals ____ mL
5
1 Tbs = _____mL
15
1 Tbs = ____tsp
3
1oz = _____mL
30
,1kg = _____lb
2.2
1 gr = ____mg
60
T/F: all IVFs given via gravity (gtt/min) must be rounded to a whole number?
true, cannot count half a drop or 1.3 drop
1 cup = _____mL
250
1 pt = ____mL
500
Rules of rounding for IV fluids delivered on a pump
Should be rounded to the tenths place, but if your pump does not set in decimals, ONLY THEN can you round
to the whole number
Primary IV
-purpose: fluid administration
-Larger volume and continuous (1000mL)
Secondary IV
-purpose: medication administration
-smaller volume (50 mL, 100 mL), administered intermittently
if the amount is greater than a cc (1) round to the
tenths
if the amount is less than a cc (1), round to the
hundredths
IM
intramuscular
IV
intravenous
IVPB
intravenous piggyback; a method of administering medication through an existing IV line
SQ (subcut)
subcutaneously
,po
by mouth
buc
between the gum and inner lining of the cheek
SL
sublingual (under the tongue)
ID
intradermal (into the top layers of the skin, dermis)
ac
before meals
pc
after meals
prn
as needed
stat
immediately
bid
twice daily
tid
3x daily
qid
4x daily
npo
nothing by mouth
Medication Administration Record (MAR)
A sheet used for documentation listing medications prescribed and times to be given
t/f: we should always read the med ordered 3x
true
don't open meds until you are in the
patient's room
, NEVER leave medications at
the patient's bedside
Do not put medication in your
HANDS
If someone else has prepared the medication do you still give it to the patient?
No
Always check what date on meds
expiration
If a drug is cloudy or discolored, do you still give it?
No
If a patient questions the drug or dose, always do what
check the order again
generic name
name assigned by the manufacturer who first develops a drug; it is often derived from the chemical name
(acetaminophen)
brand-name drug
a drug with a registered name or trademark (example: Tylenol)
Tall man lettering
Uppercase letters used within a drug name to highlight differences between look-alike drug names
Fixed combination drugs
Drugs composed of two or more generic medications
What does FDA stand for?
Food and Drug Administration
Function of FDA
To monitor and regulate the manufacturing and marketing of drugs
FDA ensures that drugs are
tested for harmful side effects and labels
T/F: FDA allows marketing of drugs deemed dangerous
False, they prevent it
Only drugs that FDA considers safe can be____
