Congrats to everyone who passed, I really hope I pass next month myself.
Do you all who passed have any tips on what areas to focus on the most for the rest of us? I'm about to give up on IV diluents and compatibility and HIV (I only know 7 out of 11 of combo meds)
Here are my recommendations:
- Do not forget to study the law portion since these are the "easier" questions.
- Know controlled drug schedules (and their brand/generics)
- What are the different responsibilities of clerks, techs, interns, and pharmacists? (ie who can offer to counsel? reconstitute meds?)
- Regulations with controlled substances via verbal, fax, and electronic methods
- What vaccinations can pharmacists give and to whom?
- CE requirements (smoking cessation, birth controls, ie...)
- Record keeping dates
- Know brand/generics! At the bare minimum I made sure to memorize HIV, HTN (single + combinations), DM, asthma/COPD inhalers, osteoporosis, erectile dysfunction, DL and BPH/overactive bladder/generics.
- For ID: Know the different drug classes, requires renal dose adjustments, common indications/treatments/substitution given allergy (ie how to treat uncomplicated UTI if patient has sulfa allergy?), which ones cover MRSA or pseudomonas?
- Drug monitoring requirements --> I didn't focus too much on this since its too broad. Instead, I relied on rotation and work experiences to pull me through.
These were the topics I made sure I knew going in to the exam. I only used RxPrep online (CPJE/Clinical) courses and quizlets for my preparations. The online videos and tests kept me engaged and focused, especially with the bland law portions. For those interested, I am selling both of the courses for total of $225 (active until 2/17/18) and 2017 law book for $40 (no markings + shipping included). Good luck to those that are taking the exam.
