Nursing Education Site
Pharmacology for Nurses: Drug Guides & Study Notes
Pharmacology is one of the most challenging parts of nursing school because you have to understand how drugs work, give them safely, and remember key side effects and teaching points for NCLEX.
This page organizes our pharmacology articles, drug guides, and study notes for nurses so you can quickly review major drug classes, dosage calculations, medication safety, and nursing responsibilities before exams or clinical.
Start with the pharmacology basics and medication safety posts below to review core concepts like pharmacokinetics vs pharmacodynamics, drug classes, and the rights of medication administration.
Use the drug‑class and specific‑medication guides to focus on high‑yield meds (cardiac, respiratory, endocrine, antibiotics, psych meds, etc.) that frequently appear on NCLEX and in clinical.
Practice dosage calculations using our examples and videos so you can move confidently through exam questions and real‑world med passes.
Pharmacology Basics for Nurses (intro to ADME, pharmacokinetics vs pharmacodynamics, drug classes, side effects)
Rights of Medication Administration & Nursing Responsibilities – Nursing Pharmacology
Medication Safety and Common Medication Errors – Nursing Responsibilities & Legal Considerations
How to Study Pharmacology in Nursing School (pharm study strategies, NCLEX tips, mnemonics)
Drug Dosage Calculations for Nurses – Step‑by‑Step Guide
Dosage Calculations for Nursing Students – Practice Problems & Video Walkthroughs
IV Flow Rate and Titration Calculations – Nursing Guide
Cardiovascular Drugs for Nurses (antihypertensives, beta‑blockers, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, diuretics, anticoagulants)
Respiratory Drugs (bronchodilators, corticosteroids, mucolytics) – Nursing Pharmacology
Endocrine Drugs (insulin, oral hypoglycemics, thyroid meds, steroids) – Nursing Pharmacology
Antibiotics & Antimicrobials – Nursing Pharmacology (side effects, teaching, labs)
Psych Meds (antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics) – Nursing Pharmacology
Pain Meds (opioids, non‑opioids, adjuvants) – Nursing Pharmacology
GI Meds, Diuretics, and Other High‑Yield Drug Classes – Nursing Pharmacology
Pantoprazole (Protonix) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that lowers stomach acid by blocking the final step of acid production in the stomach’s parietal cells. It is used for GERD and erosive esophagitis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and, by provider order, peptic ulcer disease, upper GI bleeding, and stress ulcer prophylaxis. Key nursing considerations are giving it … See Nursing Diagnoses
Metformin is a biguanide antidiabetic medication commonly prescribed as the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus. It decreases glucose production in the liver and improves insulin sensitivity in body tissues. Generic names: Metformin hydrochloride Brand names: Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Fortamet, Glumetza, Riomet Pharmacologic class: Biguanide Therapeutic class: Antidiabetic, Oral hypoglycemic agent Mechanism of action: … See Nursing Diagnoses
Famotidine is a histamine-2 (H2) receptor antagonist, commonly known as Pepcid. It reduces stomach acid production and is used to treat various gastrointestinal conditions. This medication is available both as a prescription and over-the-counter drug. Generic names: Famotidine Brand names: Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Pepcid Complete, Fluxid, Heartburn Relief Pharmacologic class: Histamine-2 receptor antagonist Therapeutic class: … See Nursing Diagnoses
Dilaudid (hydromorphone) is a potent opioid analgesic used to manage moderate to severe pain. It is approximately 5-7 times more potent than morphine and requires careful nursing assessment and monitoring due to its strong effects and potential for adverse reactions. Generic name: Hydromorphone hydrochloride Brand names: Dilaudid, Dilaudid-HP, Exalgo, Hydromorph Contin (CAN), Palladone Pharmacologic class: … See Nursing Diagnoses
Furosemide, commonly known as Lasix, is a potent loop diuretic medication used to treat fluid overload and edema associated with various conditions. It works by preventing the reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the kidneys, leading to increased urine output. Generic names: Furosemide Brand names: Lasix, Furocot, Frusix, Fusid Pharmacologic class: Loop diuretic Therapeutic class: … See Nursing Diagnoses