Pharmacology for Nursing Exams
Pharmacology runs through every NCK paper, not just one subject. Questions test how drugs work, their side effects, and the nurse's responsibilities around them. Here are the high-yield drug classes and how to answer pharmacology MCQs.
High-yield drug classes
Antibiotics
Classes (penicillins, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides), allergy and resistance, nursing responsibilities.
Analgesics — opioids & NSAIDs
Morphine and pethidine effects, respiratory depression, NSAID gastric and renal cautions.
Antihypertensives
ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, diuretics, calcium-channel blockers; key side effects and monitoring.
Antidiabetic agents
Insulin types and onset/peak/duration, metformin, recognising and managing hypoglycaemia.
Anticoagulants
Heparin vs warfarin, monitoring (APTT, INR), antidotes and bleeding precautions.
Respiratory drugs
Bronchodilators and corticosteroids in asthma and COPD, inhaler technique.
Antiretrovirals (ARVs)
First-line regimens, adherence, common side effects and drug interactions.
Anti-TB & antimalarials
TB regimen phases and side effects (e.g. isoniazid, rifampicin), artemisinin-based combinations.
Psychotropic drugs
Antipsychotics, mood stabilisers and antidepressants; extrapyramidal and other adverse effects.
Drug calculations
Dosage, IV flow rates and paediatric weight-based dosing — a common source of lost marks.
What pharmacology questions test
- Mechanism of action — what the drug does and why it is given.
- Side effects and toxicity — what to watch for and report.
- Nursing responsibilities — checks before, during and after giving a drug.
- Contraindications and interactions — when a drug must not be used.
- Drug calculations — getting the dose and flow rate right.
How to revise pharmacology
Do not memorise drugs in isolation. Learn them by class — once you know how a class works, you can reason out individual drugs. Practise plenty of multiple-choice questions, drill your calculations until they are automatic, and read the explanation behind every answer. For technique, see our guide on how to answer nursing MCQs.
Practise pharmacology questions
Real exam-style questions with explanations, free for 30 days.