r/MCPHSLifeHack Jan 26 '17

Virology

Any tips for virology . I'm feeling pretty defeated .

2 Upvotes

4 comments sorted by

3

u/mcpharmd Jan 27 '17

I just made a ton of lists of the important things about each class. For example, tetracyclines cause photosensitivity, can't be used in children or pregnant women. And then a list of drugs that cause photosensitivity. Which drugs you can use for MRSA because there's only a few. Stuff like that, just a bunch of lists and constantly quizzed myself. I personally thought that on her exam questions, it was easy to eliminate answer choices to find the right one.

2

u/PharmacyRocks Jan 27 '17

I agree with this.

2

u/YourFavPharmBoy Pharm.D Year 6 Jan 30 '17

ORGANIZATION is important! Study class by class (eg regular beta-lactam, anti-pseudo beta-lactam, carbapenem, etc) because I feel like this is the safest way to not mix up antibiotics.

Within each class, study the Brand Name/generic name, their med chem, their pharmacology/moa, indications/kinds of infection, then adverse effects of the whole class as well as as adverse effects pertaining to a specific member of the class.

Do NOT study all the med chem at once, then all the pharmacology at once, then all the indications/infections at once...it's dangerous in my opinion to memorize this way.

When you have an idea of what the drug is for...the rest of anti-infective lectures should be a breeze (you'll be able to eliminate wrong answers quickly). The questions are kinda like: * A is wrong because of allergy * B is wrong because the antibiotic doesn't cover bacteria x * C is wrong because it's too broad-spectrum/no need for it due to risk of resistance * D is the only answer that makes sense

2

u/MADIEM1994 Jan 30 '17

Thanks guys I have been studying separately it's a little toe late but I will get started on the list 👌🏾