Pharmacology doesn’t have to feel overwhelming — not when you know the right mnemonics. In this episode of Think Like a Nurse, creator Brooke Wallace breaks down high-yield pharmacology concepts and the memory tricks that make them stick for good. From ADME and TRAMP to HRD, SHAKE, and T.I.R.E.D., you’ll learn how to turn memorization into true understanding. We’ll connect these mnemonics to real-world safety, clinical reasoning, and NCLEX-style questions so you can study smarter, not harder — and think like a nurse every step of the way.
Why pharmacology is the foundation of safe nursing practice
The power of mnemonics for nursing students and new grads
Breaking down ADME: absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion
Using TRAMP for medication safety: time, route, amount, medication, patient
Understanding HRD for antibiotic reactions
Remembering SHAKE for amphotericin B side effects
MORPHIN mnemonic for opioid safety
T.I.R.E.D. mnemonic for hypoglycemia symptoms
High-alert medications and the Six Rights
How to connect mnemonics to critical thinking at the bedside
Nursing pearls: safety, vigilance, and understanding before administration
NCLEX practice reflection: applying mnemonics in test scenarios