Nursing Pharmacology: High-Yield Drug
Class Cheat Sheet (2025 Edition)
This summary is designed to simplify high-volume, high-stakes material often tested in
Nursing Fundamentals and NCLEX-RN® preparation. Focus on the mechanism, suffix,
and key side effects for each drug class.
1. The Five Rights of Medication Administration
These are the essential safety checks performed by every nurse before giving
medication.
1. Right Patient: Verify the patient’s identity using two identifiers (e.g., name and
birth date).
2. Right Drug: Ensure the medication order matches the label on the container
exactly.
3. Right Dose: Check the calculation and ensure the amount is safe and
appropriate for the patient’s size and condition.
4. Right Route: Verify the prescribed route of administration (e.g., oral,
intravenous, subcutaneous).
5. Right Time: Administer the medication at the ordered frequency and within the
correct time window.
o (Note: Some courses now teach 8 or 10 rights, but these 5 are the
absolute core.)
2. Critical Cardiovascular Drug Classes
Drug Mechanism of Action Key Side Effect / Nursing
Suffix
Class (Simple) Action
Dry, Hacking Cough (Most
Blocks a hormone that
common reason for
ACE -pril (e.g., constricts blood vessels,
discontinuation)
Inhibitors Lisinopril) forcing them to relax and
and Angioedema (swelling of
lowering blood pressure.
face/tongue).
Must check Apical Pulse/HR
Slows the heart rate and
Beta -lol (e.g., before giving.Hold the dose
reduces the force of
Blockers Metoprolol) if Heart Rate (HR) is less than
contractions.
60 bpm.
"Wastes" (removes)
Hypokalemia (low potassium).
Loop -ide (e.g., water and electrolytes
Must monitor K+ levels and watch
Diuretics Furosemide) from the kidneys,
for muscle cramps/weakness.
mainly Potassium (K+).
Class Cheat Sheet (2025 Edition)
This summary is designed to simplify high-volume, high-stakes material often tested in
Nursing Fundamentals and NCLEX-RN® preparation. Focus on the mechanism, suffix,
and key side effects for each drug class.
1. The Five Rights of Medication Administration
These are the essential safety checks performed by every nurse before giving
medication.
1. Right Patient: Verify the patient’s identity using two identifiers (e.g., name and
birth date).
2. Right Drug: Ensure the medication order matches the label on the container
exactly.
3. Right Dose: Check the calculation and ensure the amount is safe and
appropriate for the patient’s size and condition.
4. Right Route: Verify the prescribed route of administration (e.g., oral,
intravenous, subcutaneous).
5. Right Time: Administer the medication at the ordered frequency and within the
correct time window.
o (Note: Some courses now teach 8 or 10 rights, but these 5 are the
absolute core.)
2. Critical Cardiovascular Drug Classes
Drug Mechanism of Action Key Side Effect / Nursing
Suffix
Class (Simple) Action
Dry, Hacking Cough (Most
Blocks a hormone that
common reason for
ACE -pril (e.g., constricts blood vessels,
discontinuation)
Inhibitors Lisinopril) forcing them to relax and
and Angioedema (swelling of
lowering blood pressure.
face/tongue).
Must check Apical Pulse/HR
Slows the heart rate and
Beta -lol (e.g., before giving.Hold the dose
reduces the force of
Blockers Metoprolol) if Heart Rate (HR) is less than
contractions.
60 bpm.
"Wastes" (removes)
Hypokalemia (low potassium).
Loop -ide (e.g., water and electrolytes
Must monitor K+ levels and watch
Diuretics Furosemide) from the kidneys,
for muscle cramps/weakness.
mainly Potassium (K+).
