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We all know pharm is a tough class, but it’s something all of us nursing students have to go through! As new quarters are starting, it is always so important to look back at information from previous quarters, especially your drugs! And if you haven’t taken pharm yet, you should do everything you can to prepare yourself for what’s to come!  
 
That being said, my favorite resource to use is the Nursing Key Topics Review: Pharmacology book! This is great for anyone who has taken pharm but needs those constant refreshers or are preparing for the NCLEX®! It covers everything from pharmacologic principals, to 19 different categories of drugs! 

So how do I use this resource? 

Practice questions: The best way I retain information is practice questions! So, the fact that this book has tons of practice questions and solutions has been my saving grace! The questions also emphasize critical, practical, and relevant information that helps you absorb the material in the best way possible.  
 
Study and Test-Taking Tips: Another one of my favorite features are the study and test-taking tips throughout the book! In each chapter there is a section with a hint or trick to help you memorize the type of drug and what it does! 

NCLEX Preparation: Like I said, this book is not only for those who are new to pharmacology. Everything you learn in this class will most likely be built upon throughout your schooling. Upon graduating, the NCLEX is your next beast and it WILL have pharmacology questions. So, this book is not only great for your classes, it also makes NCLEX prep a lot easier! The answers given are not just A or B, but actual answer explanations are used to help the student retain as much as possible!  
 
Anatomy Review: There is no shame when it comes to not remembering every little detail from A&P, but when it comes to learning drugs and medications, we need to how they are going to affect the body. At the beginning of every chapter, there is an A&P review of the system relating to the content in that section.  
 
Organization: Unlike big textbooks, there are not a lot of filler words and unnecessary information. Since this is about key topics, you will get everything you really need to know. I love the bullet point lists and neat tables, it makes all the information easy to read and memorize! 
 
Studying on-the-go: Last but not least, another awesome feature about this book is the fact that it is not just a book! You can scan the QR code on the front page to access free mobile content! These online audio summaries cover every chapter and can be listened to anywhere! 

This is how I love to use my Nursing Key Topics Review: Pharmacology book, as it has made one of the hardest nursing school courses one of the easiest and most fun to learn!