Step 2 CK: How Do I Approach Pharm?

[colonelmustard]

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Hi all,

My Step 1 score was ok at best, and pharm was my weakness. I'm just starting to study for Step 2 CK, which I'll take in the late winter.

I have a question: What is the best way to study pharmacology for Step 2?

My sources are: Master the Boards, UWorld, and Step Up to Step 2 (which I am not using as heavily as MTB and UWorld)

I have forgotten mechanism of actions, side effects, and what to use for what.

Should I study the side effects from First Aid for Step 1?

Thanks!

 

[colonelmustard]

Anyone? Please?

 

[inep]

Anyone? Please?

It's not really that important. Know the side effects for the major drugs. Step 2 is a difficult test to study for. It's more a reflection of how much clinical experience you have had. If you have been struggling to keep up since the beginning of med school and struggled on your shelf exams, you will need A LOT of time (months) for this test. If you had 10 years prior experience as a PA and killed your shelf exam you can probably study for a few days and walk in the test and score a 260.

 

[WaylonS]

Hi all,

My Step 1 score was ok at best, and pharm was my weakness. I'm just starting to study for Step 2 CK, which I'll take in the late winter.

I have a question: What is the best way to study pharmacology for Step 2?

My sources are: Master the Boards, UWorld, and Step Up to Step 2 (which I am not using as heavily as MTB and UWorld)

I have forgotten mechanism of actions, side effects, and what to use for what.

Should I study the side effects from First Aid for Step 1?

Thanks!

For this particular topic, you should just read Secrets; none of the other books will help you learn random (mostly useless) minutia

 

[Trogghunter]

Flash card exchange.com

 

[aaru20red]

if you feel at any time in your prep that you dont remember enough pharm which is important for that particular topic i think its best to look into first aid step 1 and clear out your confusion..there is no point in trying a new source and going back to FA step 1 for a few pages wont take much time..although i wont recommend reading the pharmacokinetics and the dosing etc but adverse effects and knowing the mechanism of action should be sufficient..

 

[colonelmustard]

To what extent should I know my mechanisms of action?

Cardio drugs kill me. I've forgotten all those pages in FA about Ca channel blockers, which beta blockers are for B1, B2, etc...

Pharm is my Achilles heel.

 

[aaru20red]

you dont need too much detail in that..i find anti arrythmic drugs and antipsychotic drugs tough and they are important too..so focus on them mainly ..the rest like antibiotics etc, mtb or uw is enough for them