Guest guest Posted July 16, 2004 Report Share Posted July 16, 2004 Dear Jeanetta. . . I wish I would've found your site sooner!! I'm taking my exam in the morning, 1st time, and very anxious. I found several studying materials but mostly for the health related fields like nursing. I have asked several pharm. techs and didn't get much help, AT ALL!!! I'm strong in math, not worried about that and have taken inorganic and organic I and II, got that part covered. (Feel like I'd do better taking the PCAT)!! When it comes to basic drug names, no problem. Any hints for prefixes/suffixes that are dead ringers for what the drug is (ie. ~cillin = would be antibiotic)? Also, any hints/advice for knowing laws? Thought maybe you might have some last minute advice for me (I could just CRY that I didn't find your site sooner!!!!) Do they give you a conversion chart? I'm comfortable with the basics, ie. g to mg, but drams? grains? Are you kidding me? Are these REALLY used? Uuugghh!! Do you know what each question is worth, point value? Just so I can get an idea of how many I can miss and still pass, I'm basing it on 140 pts, not the 125. . .give myself a cushion. Any last minute hints, tips would be GREATLY appreciated!!! Hopefully I can check if you replied in the morning!! Thanks a BUNCH!!!! Amy White Kissimmee, Fl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2004 Report Share Posted July 17, 2004 Dear Amy, I am MOST interested in HOW DID YOU FIND THIS SITE??? Sounds like you just now the day before the exam found it! If this is true please let me know how. I will attempt to answer what I can: " " When it comes to basic drug names, no problem. Any hints for prefixes/suffixes that are dead ringers for what the drug is (ie. ~cillin = would be antibiotic)? " " Jeanetta's response: As a matter of fact I am working on a Tutorial of this as I type. Actually Janet Liles, a good friend and fine educator is also contributing on this one. The following are in general and not definite or 100% of the time. ending in: -pril = Ace Inhibitors to reduce high blood pressure (HTN) -olol = Beta Blockers for same indication, specifically beta - 1 blockers of NE -lone, -sone, -one are usually steroids and some are hormones such as: testosterone,progesterone some are antiinflammatories such as betmethasone, dexamethasone prednisolone and prednisone -ose = sugar lactose, sucrose, dextrose, maltose, glucose etc. -ase = enzymes that chemically breakdown what ever is in front of the 'ase', such as lactase breaks down milk sugar lactose, peptidiase breaksdown peptides which are proteins (also protease). -azole may be an antifungal such as in sulfamethoxazole or have antifungal properties such as metronidazole as well as other properties. -statin ! BE CAREFUL!! mycostatin is an antifungal, but what are known as the " statins " are pravastatin, lovastatin, atorvstatin, fluvastatin, simvastatin are antihyperlipidemics or cholesterol (fat) lowering agents. -omeprazole or the 'prazoles' are PPI's or Proton Pump inhibitors such as esomprazole -itidine = H2 Antagonists such as Tagamet or Axid (cimetidine and nizatidine respectively). If found in the middle of the word: -azo- generally has sulfer group and one should know this may cause an allergic reaction -caine- is an anesthetic, such as found in procainamide or cocaine -tropic- means growth such as Stimulating Tropic Hormones, as in corticotropic In the beginning or end: -cort antiinflammatory corticosteroid such as Hydrocort, hydrocortisone, Solu-Cortef, cortisol -cef or ceph- are usually cephalosporins, a type of antibiotic Ancef, Zinicef, cefazolin, Rocephin, ceftriaxzone Hope the above helps out! " " Also, any hints/advice for knowing laws? Thought maybe you might have some last minute advice for me (I could just CRY that I didn't find your site sooner!!!!) " " Jeanetta's response: The BEST law is this: the most stringent law applies! Stringent = Strict. Best example: california says okay to Marijuana for medical purposes of AIDS and Glaucoma, Federal Law says No Way ! Which is more stringent? Federal Law, therefore it applies to all states including California. Techs can not counsel, order controlled substances or sign for them, can not make a therapeutic switch or dose, can not take a prescription over the phone (except in the state of TN), can not accept a NEW verbal order(except in the state of TN), . Techs Can accept a recorded verbal order in TN and may be in some other states. PCTB does not usually ask about state law, unless they give you the state law in the question to compare to the federal law in order to for you to discern which is more stringent. Techs can legally accept a refill over the phone and clarification of an old order or refill. Some states do not allow this and in that case the state law would be most stringent. " Do they give you a conversion chart? I'm comfortable with the basics, ie. g to mg, but drams? grains? Are you kidding me? Are these REALLY used? Uuugghh!! " " Jeanetta's response: No they do not give you a 'chart' per se. However in some problems (only about 1 - 3) they " may " give you a conversion factor, but this is very, very rare. I only recall one such problem on my l996 exam. " " Do you know what each question is worth, point value? Just so I can get an idea of how many I can miss and still pass, I'm basing it on 140 pts, not the 125. . .give myself a cushion. Any last minute hints, tips would be GREATLY appreciated!!! " " Jeanetta's response: No I do not! NO ONE does, PTCB will not say. However each question is weighted differently according to its basic, intermediate or advanced level. The 125 out of 140 questions are counted and the maximum SCALED points are equal to 900. You must pass with a 650 or higher scaled points. 650 scaled points equates to a 72% SCALED points. To my knowledge the extra 15 questions can not go towards your score, but are 'pilot' questions to see if they will work as worded or if the questions are correct etc. " Hopefully I can check if you replied in the morning!! " Jeanetta's response: I hope you get sleep and can check out the site too! " Thanks a BUNCH!!!! Amy White Kissimmee, Fl " Jeanetta's response: You ARE MOST Welcome! I too wish you had found this site earlier. Hopefully you have a great study book . Sounds like you did a lot of study already. Please let me know how you do and if this last minute reply helped in any way! Take Care, Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS Chem Pharm TechEduator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2004 Report Share Posted July 17, 2004 Jeanetta, Did you change your mind about this? I recall all of us debating this issue a few exams back and coming to the conclusion that memorizing drug classes this way was a bad idea. I can't recall the whole thing now but from what I remember there were several drugs with the same suffix but not necessarily in the same class that were cause for conceren. Did I miss something? -- To love what you do and feel that it matters - how could anything be more fun? -- Graham .. . . for my heart rejoiced in all my labour . . . Ecclesiastes 2:10 -------------- Original message -------------- Dear Amy, I am MOST interested in HOW DID YOU FIND THIS SITE??? Sounds like you just now the day before the exam found it! If this is true please let me know how. I will attempt to answer what I can: " " When it comes to basic drug names, no problem. Any hints for prefixes/suffixes that are dead ringers for what the drug is (ie. ~cillin = would be antibiotic)? " " Jeanetta's response: As a matter of fact I am working on a Tutorial of this as I type. Actually Janet Liles, a good friend and fine educator is also contributing on this one. The following are in general and not definite or 100% of the time. ending in: -pril = Ace Inhibitors to reduce high blood pressure (HTN) -olol = Beta Blockers for same indication, specifically beta - 1 blockers of NE -lone, -sone, -one are usually steroids and some are hormones such as: testosterone,progesterone some are antiinflammatories such as betmethasone, dexamethasone prednisolone and prednisone -ose = sugar lactose, sucrose, dextrose, maltose, glucose etc. -ase = enzymes that chemically breakdown what ever is in front of the 'ase', such as lactase breaks down milk sugar lactose, peptidiase breaksdown peptides which are proteins (also protease). -azole may be an antifungal such as in sulfamethoxazole or have antifungal properties such as metronidazole as well as other properties. -statin ! BE CAREFUL!! mycostatin is an antifungal, but what are known as the " statins " are pravastatin, lovastatin, atorvstatin, fluvastatin, simvastatin are antihyperlipidemics or cholesterol (fat) lowering agents. -omeprazole or the 'prazoles' are PPI's or Proton Pump inhibitors such as esomprazole -itidine = H2 Antagonists such as Tagamet or Axid (cimetidine and nizatidine respectively). If found in the middle of the word: -azo- generally has sulfer group and one should know this may cause an allergic reaction -caine- is an anesthetic, such as found in procainamide or cocaine -tropic- means growth such as Stimulating Tropic Hormones, as in corticotropic In the beginning or end: -cort antiinflammatory corticosteroid such as Hydrocort, hydrocortisone, Solu-Cortef, cortisol -cef or ceph- are usually cephalosporins, a type of antibiotic Ancef, Zinicef, cefazolin, Rocephin, ceftriaxzone Hope the above helps out! " " Also, any hints/advice for knowing laws? Thought maybe you might have some last minute advice for me (I could just CRY that I didn't find your site sooner!!!!) " " Jeanetta's response: The BEST law is this: the most stringent law applies! Stringent = Strict. Best example: california says okay to Marijuana for medical purposes of AIDS and Glaucoma, Federal Law says No Way ! Which is more stringent? Federal Law, therefore it applies to all states including California. Techs can not counsel, order controlled substances or sign for them, can not make a therapeutic switch or dose, can not take a prescription over the phone (except in the state of TN), can not accept a NEW verbal order(except in the state of TN), . Techs Can accept a recorded verbal order in TN and may be in some other states. PCTB does not usually ask about state law, unless they give you the state law in the question to compare to the federal law in order to for you to discern which is more stringent. Techs can legally accept a refill over the phone and clarification of an old order or refill. Some states do not allow this and in that case the state law would be most stringent. " Do they give you a conversion chart? I'm comfortable with the basics, ie. g to mg, but drams? grains? Are you kidding me? Are these REALLY used? Uuugghh!! " " Jeanetta's response: No they do not give you a 'chart' per se. However in some problems (only about 1 - 3) they " may " give you a conversion factor, but this is very, very rare. I only recall one such problem on my l996 exam. " " Do you know what each question is worth, point value? Just so I can get an idea of how many I can miss and still pass, I'm basing it on 140 pts, not the 125. . .give myself a cushion. Any last minute hints, tips would be GREATLY appreciated!!! " " Jeanetta's response: No I do not! NO ONE does, PTCB will not say. However each question is weighted differently according to its basic, intermediate or advanced level. The 125 out of 140 questions are counted and the maximum SCALED points are equal to 900. You must pass with a 650 or higher scaled points. 650 scaled points equates to a 72% SCALED points. To my knowledge the extra 15 questions can not go towards your score, but are 'pilot' questions to see if they will work as worded or if the questions are correct etc. " Hopefully I can check if you replied in the morning!! " Jeanetta's response: I hope you get sleep and can check out the site too! " Thanks a BUNCH!!!! Amy White Kissimmee, Fl " Jeanetta's response: You ARE MOST Welcome! I too wish you had found this site earlier. Hopefully you have a great study book . Sounds like you did a lot of study already. Please let me know how you do and if this last minute reply helped in any way! Take Care, Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS Chem Pharm TechEduator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 18, 2004 Report Share Posted July 18, 2004 Dear and All, No I have not changed my mind about the best way to learn pharmacology is by study and not by sole rote learning of a few endings, root words or suffixes. However I will point out that formal education of pharmacology DOES include the above mentioned. In addition, even if people memorized the classification, they certainly do not have a handle on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics or Adverse Reactions, Drug Interactions, Availability, UAD, Precautions, mixing or preparation information, storage and handling etc. Indication is NOT all there is to pharmacology. I did point out again in this same post the problems with some that have the same ending such as the -azoles that are not always PPI's, in fact usually antifungals. I also qualified my post with " The following are in general and not definite or 100% of the time. " ly, being the day before the exam, I felt very few would see this post, and little chance it would help anyone. Since this post will be in the archives, come August thru October, during the next study period I felt 'okay' about posting it. I do plan some pharmacology tutorials and they will include, but not be limited to what ever endings are in common. But that alone is not pharmacology or all one would have to know about the drugs. Thank you so much for your valued input. Rest assured my TEXPERTS and Moderator will be requested AFTER such Tutorials go up to refer all pharmacology questions that CAN be answered by the tutorials to the tutorials. Otherwise they may be attempted. I believe the question or post to which you refer was during this study period most recently. I do not think you missed a beat. Respectfully, Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BSChem Pharm Tech Educator F/O > Jeanetta, > Did you change your mind about this? I recall all of us debating this issue a few exams back and coming to the conclusion that memorizing drug classes this way was a bad idea. I can't recall the whole thing now but from what I remember there were several drugs with the same suffix but not necessarily in the same class that were cause for conceren. Did I miss something? > > > > -- > To love what you do and feel that > it matters - how could anything > be more fun? -- Graham > > . . . for my heart rejoiced in > all my labour . . . Ecclesiastes > 2:10 > > > -------------- Original message -------------- > Dear Amy, > > I am MOST interested in HOW DID YOU FIND THIS SITE??? Sounds like > you just now the day before the exam found it! If this is true > please let me know how. > > I will attempt to answer what I can: > > " " When it comes to basic drug names, no problem. Any hints for > prefixes/suffixes that are dead ringers for what the drug is (ie. > ~cillin = would be antibiotic)? " " > > Jeanetta's response: > As a matter of fact I am working on a Tutorial of this as I type. > Actually Janet Liles, a good friend and fine educator is also > contributing on this one. > > > The following are in general and not definite or 100% of the time. > > ending in: > > -pril = Ace Inhibitors to reduce high blood pressure (HTN) > > -olol = Beta Blockers for same indication, specifically beta - 1 > blockers of NE > > -lone, -sone, -one are usually steroids and some are hormones such > as: testosterone,progesterone > some are antiinflammatories such as betmethasone, dexamethasone > prednisolone and prednisone > > -ose = sugar lactose, sucrose, dextrose, maltose, glucose etc. > > -ase = enzymes that chemically breakdown what ever is in front of > the 'ase', such as lactase breaks down milk sugar lactose, > peptidiase breaksdown peptides which are proteins (also protease). > > -azole may be an antifungal such as in sulfamethoxazole or have > antifungal properties such as metronidazole as well as other > properties. > > -statin ! BE CAREFUL!! mycostatin is an antifungal, but what are > known as the " statins " are pravastatin, lovastatin, atorvstatin, > fluvastatin, simvastatin are antihyperlipidemics or cholesterol > (fat) lowering agents. > > -omeprazole or the 'prazoles' are PPI's or Proton Pump inhibitors > such as esomprazole > > -itidine = H2 Antagonists such as Tagamet or Axid (cimetidine and > nizatidine respectively). > > If found in the middle of the word: > > -azo- generally has sulfer group and one should know this may cause > an allergic reaction > > -caine- is an anesthetic, such as found in procainamide or cocaine > > -tropic- means growth such as Stimulating Tropic Hormones, as in > corticotropic > > > In the beginning or end: > -cort antiinflammatory corticosteroid such as Hydrocort, > hydrocortisone, Solu-Cortef, cortisol > > -cef or ceph- are usually cephalosporins, a type of antibiotic > Ancef, Zinicef, cefazolin, Rocephin, ceftriaxzone > > > Hope the above helps out! > > " " Also, any hints/advice for knowing laws? Thought maybe you might > have some last minute advice for me (I could just CRY that I didn't > find your site sooner!!!!) " " > > Jeanetta's response: > The BEST law is this: the most stringent law applies! Stringent = > Strict. Best example: california says okay to Marijuana for medical > purposes of AIDS and Glaucoma, Federal Law says No Way ! Which > is more stringent? Federal Law, therefore it applies to all states > including California. > > Techs can not counsel, order controlled substances or sign for them, > can not make a therapeutic switch or dose, can not take a > prescription over the phone (except in the state of TN), can not > accept a NEW verbal order(except in the state of TN), . > > Techs Can accept a recorded verbal order in TN and may be in some > other states. PCTB does not usually ask about state law, unless they > give you the state law in the question to compare to the federal law > in order to for you to discern which is more stringent. > > Techs can legally accept a refill over the phone and clarification > of an old order or refill. Some states do not allow this and in that > case the state law would be most stringent. > > " Do they give you a conversion chart? I'm comfortable with the > basics, ie. g to mg, but drams? grains? Are you kidding me? Are > these REALLY used? Uuugghh!! " " > > Jeanetta's response: > No they do not give you a 'chart' per se. However in some problems > (only about 1 - 3) they " may " give you a conversion factor, but this > is very, very rare. I only recall one such problem on my l996 exam. > > > " " Do you know what each question is worth, point value? Just so I > can get an idea of how many I can miss and still pass, I'm basing > it on 140 pts, not the 125. . .give myself a cushion. Any last > minute hints, tips would be GREATLY appreciated!!! " " > > Jeanetta's response: > No I do not! NO ONE does, PTCB will not say. However each question > is weighted differently according to its basic, intermediate or > advanced level. The 125 out of 140 questions are counted and the > maximum SCALED points are equal to 900. You must pass with a 650 or > higher scaled points. 650 scaled points equates to a 72% SCALED > points. > To my knowledge the extra 15 questions can not go towards your > score, but are 'pilot' questions to see if they will work as worded > or if the questions are correct etc. > > " Hopefully I can check if you replied in the morning!! " > Jeanetta's response: > I hope you get sleep and can check out the site too! > > " Thanks a BUNCH!!!! > Amy White > Kissimmee, Fl " > > Jeanetta's response: > You ARE MOST Welcome! I too wish you had found this site earlier. > Hopefully you have a great study book . Sounds like you did a lot of > study already. > > Please let me know how you do and if this last minute reply helped > in any way! > > Take Care, > Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS Chem > Pharm TechEduator > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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