Pharmacology Hub | The Student Nurse

Pharmacology Hub

Clear, evidence-based medication guides aligned with NICE guidance and the BNF — built for UK student nurses on every ward.

Medication & Clinical Guides

Cardiology

Atrial Fibrillation — Anticoagulation, Rate & Rhythm Control

Recognise AF, calculate stroke risk with CHA₂DS₂‑VASc, and monitor DOACs, warfarin, and rate‑control drugs safely.

View Guide → atrial fibrillation AF anticoagulation warfarin DOAC apixaban rivaroxaban dabigatran edoxaban CHA2DS2-VASc HAS-BLED bisoprolol digoxin diltiazem verapamil amiodarone stroke prevention NICE NG180
Gastroenterology

GORD & Peptic Ulcer Disease — PPIs, H2 Blockers & H. pylori

Acid suppression, triple therapy eradication, long‑term PPI risks, and red flags needing urgent investigation.

View Guide → GORD reflux heartburn peptic ulcer gastric duodenal H. pylori PPI omeprazole lansoprazole pantoprazole esomeprazole ranitidine famotidine cimetidine triple therapy clarithromycin amoxicillin metronidazole
Musculoskeletal

Gout — Acute Management & Allopurinol Prophylaxis

NSAIDs, colchicine, and why you never start allopurinol during a flare — plus target levels and patient education.

View Guide → gout hyperuricaemia uric acid NSAID ibuprofen naproxen colchicine allopurinol febuxostat prednisolone prophylaxis renal dose urate crystals joint pain
Mental Health

Mental Health Meds — Lithium, Antipsychotics & SSRIs

Therapeutic ranges, toxicity signs, movement disorders, and spotting serious reactions before they escalate.

View Guide → lithium olanzapine risperidone quetiapine haloperidol sertraline citalopram fluoxetine venlafaxine mirtazapine valproate carbamazepine clozapine NMS serotonin syndrome toxicity levels TSH renal function
Endocrine

Steroid Safety & Adrenal Insufficiency

HPA axis suppression, sick‑day rules, recognising adrenal crisis, and tapering steroids safely.

View Guide → steroid prednisolone dexamethasone hydrocortisone adrenal insufficiency HPA axis crisis sick day rules taper withdrawal fludrocortisone Addison infection stress dose
Ward Safety

Alcohol Withdrawal — CIWA‑Ar & Management

Screening, scoring, chlordiazepoxide regimens, and protecting against Wernicke’s encephalopathy and DTs.

View Guide → alcohol withdrawal CIWA-Ar chlordiazepoxide diazepam lorazepam Wernicke’s thiamine Pabrinex delirium tremens DTs seizure benzodiazepine
Ward Safety

High-Alert Medications & Controlled Drugs

Never Events, independent double-checking, CD storage, witnessing, and legal duties — what every student nurse must know.

View Guide → high alert medications controlled drugs Never Events insulin potassium heparin morphine diamorphine fentanyl Schedule 2 Misuse of Drugs Act CD cupboard register witnessing double checking MHRA NPSA medication safety
Respiratory

COPD — Inhalers, Oxygen & Exacerbations

Oxygen targets, bronchodilators, steroids, and antibiotics — what to give, how to give it, and what to watch.

View Guide → COPD salbutamol ipratropium tiotropium salmeterol fluticasone budesonide prednisolone amoxicillin doxycycline oxygen 88-92% inhaler technique spacer LABA LAMA
Cardiology

Heart Failure — Four Pillars of Therapy

ACEi/ARNI, beta‑blockers, aldosterone antagonists, SGLT2 inhibitors — plus diuretics and fluid management.

View Guide → heart failure lisinopril perindopril losartan candesartan sacubitril valsartan bisoprolol carvedilol furosemide spironolactone dapagliflozin empagliflozin BNP NT-proBNP fluid weight
Neurology

Stroke — Recognition, Prevention & Acute Care

FAST assessment, thrombolysis windows, antiplatelets, and safe anticoagulation timing after stroke.

View Guide → stroke FAST alteplase tenecteplase aspirin clopidogrel dipyridamole warfarin DOAC atorvastatin blood pressure TIA
Renal

Acute Kidney Injury — Drug Stewardship & Protection

Staging, nephrotoxic drugs to hold, dose adjustments, and managing hyperkalaemia on every shift.

View Guide → AKI creatinine eGFR urea NSAID gentamicin vancomycin contrast ACEi ARB furosemide hyperkalaemia calcium resonium insulin dextrose salbutamol dialysis
Symptom Control

Pain — WHO Ladder & Opioid Safety

Multimodal analgesia, step‑by‑step prescribing, and recognising/reversing opioid toxicity with naloxone.

View Guide → pain paracetamol ibuprofen codeine tramadol morphine oxycodone fentanyl buprenorphine naloxone respiratory depression constipation PCA breakthrough
Emergency Care

Sepsis — Recognition & The Sepsis Six

Screening, the one‑hour bundle, antibiotic timing, fluids, and lactate monitoring — every minute counts.

View Guide → sepsis NEWS2 lactate antibiotics IV fluid tazocin co-amoxiclav gentamicin noradrenaline Sepsis Six
Renal

Chronic Kidney Disease — Prescribing & Protection

eGFR‑based dose changes, nephroprotection, and managing anaemia, bone health, and fluid balance.

View Guide → CKD creatinine anaemia erythropoietin iron phosphate binder vitamin D calcitriol dialysis fluid restriction

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