Real Life Pharmacology - Pharmacology Education for Health Care Professionals

On this podcast episode, I discuss important practice pearls and important test prep information about statins. Statins are cornerstone agents for ASCVD risk reduction, so test questions often focus on indication, intensity, and monitoring. Health care professionals should quickly identify statin intensity: high-intensity therapy (atorvastatin 40–80 mg, rosuvastatin 20–40 mg) lowers LDL by ~50% and is indicated for patients with clinical ASCVD, LDL ≥190 mg/dL, or high-risk diabetes patients age 40–75. Moderate-intensity statins (e.g., atorvastatin 10–20 mg, simvastatin 20–40 mg) are commonly tested for primary prevention.

Statin-associated muscle symptoms range from myalgias (most common, normal CK) to rare but serious rhabdomyolysis (marked CK elevation and AKI). Risk factors include high doses, advanced age, hypothyroidism, drug interactions, and renal impairment. If muscle symptoms occur, stopping the statin, ruling out secondary causes (like hypothyroidism), and rechallenging with a lower dose or different statin is often the correct clinical approach.

Drug interactions and statin selection frequently separate good from great test-takers. Lipophilic statins (simvastatin, atorvastatin, lovastatin) are more prone to muscle effects and CYP3A4 interactions, while hydrophilic statins (pravastatin, rosuvastatin) are preferred in patients with prior intolerance or complex drug regimens. Grapefruit juice, strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, and certain calcium channel blockers raise simvastatin levels—often prompting dose limits or avoidance on exams. If LDL goals aren’t met, adding ezetimibe or a PCSK9 inhibitor is the next evidence-based step.

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Medication calculations are a foundational nursing skill—and one of the most critical for patient safety. From weight-based dosing and IV drip rates to unit conversions and dose adjustments, small calculation errors can have serious consequences. In this episode, we’ll break down medication calculations in nursing pharmacology with a clear, practical approach focused on real clinical scenarios. Whether you’re building confidence, brushing up for exams, or double-checking bedside math, this discussion reinforces why accuracy, consistency, and critical thinking matter every time a medication is calculated.

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The route of administration can change everything about how a medication works—from how fast it takes effect to how safe and effective it is for a specific patient. For nurses, choosing and administering the correct route is a critical clinical responsibility that directly affects outcomes. In this episode, we’ll explore common routes of administration in nursing pharmacology, including oral, IV, subcutaneous, topical, and inhaled therapies. We’ll discuss when and why certain routes are preferred, common pitfalls to avoid, and how nursing judgment plays a key role in safe medication delivery.

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Dosage forms are more than just pills and injections—they directly impact how medications work, how quickly they act, and how safely they’re used. For nurses, understanding the differences between tablets, liquids, injectables, patches, and modified-release products is critical to proper administration and patient education. In this episode, we’ll explore common dosage forms in nursing pharmacology, why they matter, and how choosing—or administering—the wrong form can lead to errors or reduced effectiveness. This discussion connects dosage form basics to real bedside decisions nurses make every day.

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Pharmacokinetics explains what the body does to a medication—and for nurses, it’s essential to understanding how and why drugs work differently from one patient to the next. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion all influence onset, duration, and safety of therapy at the bedside. In this episode, we’ll break down pharmacokinetics with a nursing lens, tying key concepts to real-world scenarios like renal impairment, IV versus oral dosing, and timing of medication administration. The goal is to make pharmacokinetics practical, approachable, and directly relevant to everyday nursing care.

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