Learning medication doses

[SlaveOfTCMC]

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I know doses are not tested on Step 2.

However, does anyone recommend learning doses during third year? For future use of course

 

[PokerDoc]

I don't recommend this. Most resident's and many attendings don't even know the exact dose for everything they prescribe. They rely on hospital formularies and programs like epocrates quite a lot.

 

[turkeyjerky]

I'd say it's prolly worthwhile to learn doses for ACLS meds, and any other drugs you think you'd need to know immediately. For other stuffy, you'll pick up doses for drugs you use frequently and look up stuff as you need it. One thing I do, is always include dosage, route and frequency for any drugs we're using in my daily notes--this forces me to become at lease a little familiar w/ this stuff.

 

[OveractiveBrain]

I'd say it's prolly worthwhile to learn doses for ACLS meds, and any other drugs you think you'd need to know immediately. For other stuffy, you'll pick up doses for drugs you use frequently and look up stuff as you need it. One thing I do, is always include dosage, route and frequency for any drugs we're using in my daily notes--this forces me to become at lease a little familiar w/ this stuff.

What becomes worth while is the medications you see or will use alot. Its a concept called the top 50. The top 50 drugs you are always going to perscribe. Vanc, Zosyn, Amoxicillin, Azithromycin, Cipro, Benadryl, Tylenol, Morphine, Dilaudid, Versed, Haldol, Metoprolol, Lisinopril, Lovenox, Aspirin, Coumadin, are just some examples. These would be worth while.

But honestly, as you are trying to learn the fundamentals for your rotations, trying to study for the shelf, and studying for step, let that nuance bull**** wait for residency. You're going to forget it all anyway in 4th year since you won't be using it.