What to do when you suck at Pharm

[Ihateverbal]

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So, pharm is my lowest score consistently (40th percentile on UW QBank)
I don't really want to buy a new book or read a textbook (Lippincott).

The fact that I suck at pharm, makes me want to study it even LESS.

Anyone know of any high yield stuff out there to drastically improve my pharm score?

 

[rahulb]

preparation for questions on pharmacology is straightforward. memorizing all the key drugs and their characteristics (e.g., mechanisms, clinical use, and important side effects) is high yield. focus on understanding the prototype drugs in each class. avoid memorizing obscure derivatives. learn the "classic" and distinguishing toxicities of the major drugs. do not bother with drug dosages or trade names. reviewing associated biochemistry, physiology, and microbiology can be useful while studying pharmacology. there is a strong emphasis on ANS, CNS, antimicrobial, and cardiovascular agents as well as on NSAIDs. much of the material is clinically relevant. newer drugs on the market are also fair game.

 

[calespine]

haha so says the Tao

 

[future_dr_house]

preparation for questions on pharmacology is straightforward. memorizing all the key drugs and their characteristics (e.g., mechanisms, clinical use, and important side effects) is high yield. focus on understanding the prototype drugs in each class. avoid memorizing obscure derivatives. learn the "classic" and distinguishing toxicities of the major drugs. do not bother with drug dosages or trade names. reviewing associated biochemistry, physiology, and microbiology can be useful while studying pharmacology. there is a strong emphasis on ANS, CNS, antimicrobial, and cardiovascular agents as well as on NSAIDs. much of the material is clinically relevant. newer drugs on the market are also fair game.

lol, surprised you took the time to type that out.

 

[Ihateverbal]

lol
thanks
i read that...

 

[ZagDoc]

Am I the only one who isn't getting the "classics" in pharm questions? I have probably three dozen drugs annotated into my FA which weren't even listed in their class in the book.

 

[Rik825]

the kaplan pharm book is really good.... that is if you can spare the 3 days it'll take to read it carefully....

I was in a similar situation (doing poorly in pharm on UW) and since I read this book, it's become one of my higher scores.

 

[Guyton Killah]

You have no other choice but to study study and study 😱

 

[Slide]

The only drug I saw on the real thing that wasn't in FA was Baclofen. Otherwise, all the questions came out of FA.

 

[Ihateverbal]

I think the UW pharm questions are really tough....
and sometimes, the answers, I look through first Aid, and it's not even listed as a side effect at all...

Which pharm book Kaplan are you talking about? I have the 4 book series.

 

[Rik825]

It's a purple book that says "USMLE Step 1 Lecture Notes". Sorry I was vague before... I didn't realize there are multiple Kaplan pharm books out there.

Pharm was a weak point for me, so a 300+ page book was worth it. For most other people I've heard FA is enough. I guess only you know where you stand.

 

[wAyRadikull]

It's a purple book that says "USMLE Step 1 Lecture Notes". Sorry I was vague before... I didn't realize there are multiple Kaplan pharm books out there.

Pharm was a weak point for me, so a 300+ page book was worth it. For most other people I've heard FA is enough. I guess only you know where you stand.

Did you watch the kaplan dvd videos along with it? or just read it? I tried reading it, but it seems a bit weak on the explanation so i have to watch the videos along to maximize... any comments on how to go about it because watching the videos is really taking a huge chunk of my time?? Thanks.

 

[Ihateverbal]

i dont have the kaplan videos =(
any idea on where I can get it online? just would like to watch the pharm ones...

I have no idea where to go for pharm because some of the UW questions aren't really from FIRST AID, and I really have no time to want to read a new textbook or anything

 

[nectarine]

baby katzung is good if you have specific classes you're weak on and are comfortable just skimming. the book has nice outlines. downside is it is long, but each chapter is only 5ish pages so if you do Qs and use it to look up what you don't know, it could be helpful. also, a lot of FA is right out of that book (the diagrams are taken from of it and some of the sides are word for word, in the same order).

 

[Ihateverbal]

Thanks! =)

 

[ZonaRidicularis]

.

 

[Ihateverbal]

Thanks

I might take a skim at the ANS through Lippincott...I wonder if that's any good? (I already own it).

Reticularis! SEX HORMONES!

 

[SnowTown]

i suck at pharm too (and micro... and biochem...)

i'm making flashcards for drugs in 1st aid... hope that is enough

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

Pharm recall power review is $$$$

So is the section on Toxicology, especially the antidotes.