Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Nursing Students NCLEX Video

Updated:   Published

The HYPERKALEMIA "Machine" - Causes of Increased Serum K+

 M  Medications - ACE inhibitors, NSAIDS

 A  Acidosis - Metabolic and respiratory

 C  Cellular destruction - Burns, traumatic injury

 H  Hypoaldosteronism, hemolysis

 I  Intake - Excessive

 N  Nephrons, renal failure

 E  Excretion - Impaired

mnemonic-hyperkalemia-machine.jpg.be4d606a782caa054ec73b2fd5a50bc4.jpg

Specializes in maternity, ob, podiatry, dialysis.

a common pharmacology memory aid for the side effects of steroids is "The 5 S's"-sick, sad, sex, salt and sugar. Mnemonics for treatments include "MONA," which represents the steps of the stat treatment of a myocardial infarction-morphine sulfate, oxygen, nitroglycerin and aspirin. Another example is "UNLOAD FAST," which is for the treatment of congestive heart failure-upright sitting, nitroglycerin, Lasix, oxygen, aminophylline, digoxin, fluids (decrease), afterload (decrease), sodium (decrease) and tests (digoxin level, arterial blood gas, potassium).

Good luck!

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Hello all. Is there a way to print this entire thread to put in my study binder?

Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in ER.

Pitocin gets it goin, Brethine gives a breatherHot & dry- sugar highCold & clammy- need some candy

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Does anyone have any cool mnemonics to share to remember things like diseases or meds etc.,?

If you do please add them on...

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I have one for canes....

Cane

Opposite

Affected

Leg

And APGAR score components

SHIRT:

Skin color

Heart rate

Irritability (response to stimulation) grimacing, cry..

Respirations

Tone (muscle)

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Here are some from a study guide via someone on here.

It has helped me alot with pratice question, hopefully it won't let me down on my "big day"

AIRBORNE PRECAUTION (SARS is airborne/contact)

My - Measles

Chicken - Chickenpox

Hez - Herpes Zoster (Disseminated)

TB - TB

-Private room

-Negative pressure with 6-12 air exchanges per hour

-UV

-Mask, standard precautions (gown,gloves)

-N95 Mask for TB

-put own eyewear-->mask-->gown-->gloves and take off in opposite order (this applies to all infection control)

DROPLET PRECAUTION

think of SPIDERMAN!

S - Sepsis

S - Scarlet fever

S - Streptococcal pharyngitis

P - Parvovirus B19

P - Pertussis

P - Pneumonia

I - Influenza

D - Diptheria (Pharyngeal)

E - Epiglottitis

R - Rubella

M - Mumps

M - Meningitis

M - Mycoplasma or meningeal pneumonia

An - Adenovirus

-Private room

-Mask and standard precautions

CONTACT PRECAUTION- standard precautions

MRS.WEE

M - Multidrug resistant organism

R - Respiratory infection - RSV

S - Skin infections

W - Wound infections

E - Enteric infections - clostridium defficile

E - Eye infections

Skin Infections private room, gloves, gown

V - Varicella zoster

C - Cutaneous diptheria

H - Herpes simplex

I - Impetigo

P - Pediculosis

S - Scabies, Staphylococcus

Cranial Nerves

1) Olfactory

2) Optic

3) Oculomotor

4) Trochlear

5) Trigeminal

6) Abduchens

7) Facial

8) Acoustic

9) Glossopharyngeal

10) Vagus

11) Spinal Accessory

12) Hypoglossal

(This is dirty but think "Oh Oh Oh to touch and feel a girl's lady parts, So happy!" I didn't make that up! its a well known pnemonic lol)

Triage

Red-unstable, but fixable, see first

Yellow-stable, can wait for up to an hour for treatment, see second

Green- stable, can wait for a while, "walking wounded"

Black- unstable clients that probably won't make it, comfort measures

DOA- dead on arrival

Hypercalcemia:

GROANS (constipation)

MOANS (psychic moans = fatigue, lethargy, depression)

BONES (bone pain)

STONES (kidney stones)

Psychiatric OVERTONES (including depression and confusion)

Can't pick up the PHONE! (muscle weakness, lack of coordination)

Hypocalcemia = CATS go numb:

C = Convulsions

A = Arrhythmias

T = Tetany (+Trousseau and +Chvostek's)

S = Spasms, Seizures, & Stridor

Numbness in the fingers

Hypernatremia

Signs and Symptoms of Hypernatremia - FRIED

Fever, flushed skin

Restless

Increased fluid retention

Edema

Decreased urine output, dry mouth

Causes of Hypernatremia: MODEL

Medications, meals

Osmotic diuretics

Diabetes insipidus

Excessive water loss

Low water intake

Hyponatremia: SALT/ LOSS

Signs and Symptoms

Stupor/coma

Anorexia

Lethargy

Tendon reflexes decreased

Limp muscles

Orthostatic hypotension

Seizures/headache

Stomach cramps

The HYPERKALEMIA "Machine" - Causes of Increased Serum K+

M - Medications - ACE inhibitors, NSAIDS

A - Acidosis - Metabolic and respiratory

C - Cellular destruction - Burns, traumatic injury

H - Hypoaldosteronism, hemolysis

I - Intake - Excesssive

N - Nephrons, renal failure

E - Excretion - Impaired

Hyperkalemia Signs and Symptoms: MURDER

Muscle weakness

Urine - oliguria, anuria

Respiratory distress

Decreased cardiac contractility

ECG changes

Reflexes - hyperreflexia, areflexia

Treatment: KIND

Kayexalate - oral/rectal

Insulin

Na HCO3 (sodium bicarb)

Diuretics

Hypokalemia

Signs and Symptoms

6 L's

Lethargy

Leg cramps

Limp muscles

Low, shallow respirations

Lethal cardiac dysrhythmias

Lots of urine (polyuria)

Alkalosis and Acidosis

Alkalosis - has a 'k' - Kicking the pH up

Acidosis - has a 'd' - Dropping the pH down

DO NOT delegate what you can EAT!

E - evaluate

A - assess

T - teach

Addison's disease (need to "add" hormone)

Cushing's syndrome (have extra "cushion" of hormones)

addisons= down, down down up down

cushings= up up up down up

addisons= hyponatremia, hypotension, decreased blood vol, hyperkalemia, hypoglycemia

cushings= hypernatremia, hypertension, incrased blood vol, hypokalemia, hyperglycemia

No Pee, no K (do not give potassium without adequate urine output)

EleVate Veins; dAngle Arteries for better perfusion

A= appearance (color all pink, pink and blue, blue [pale])

P= pulse (>100,

G= grimace (cough, grimace, no response)

A= activity (flexed, flaccid, limp)

R= respirations (strong cry, weak cry, absent)

Hypo-parathyroid: CATS

Convulsions

Arrhythmias

Tetany

Spasms

Stridor (decreased calcium)

high Ca, low phosphorus diet

Hyper-parathyroid:

fatigue, muscle weakness, renal calculi, back and joint pain (increased calcium), low Ca, high phosphorus diet

Hypokalemia:

muscle ewakness, dysrhythmias, increase K (raisins, bananas, apricots, oranges,

beans, potatoes, carrots, celery)

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS):

-NMS is like S&M;

-you get hot (hyperpyrexia)

-stiff (increased muscle tone)

-sweaty (diaphoresis)

-BP, pulse, and respirations go up &

-you start to drool

Parkinson's=R.A.T.

R- rigidity

A- akinesia (loss of muscle mvt)

T- tremors

Txt: Levodopa

Hypoglycemia - T.I.R.E.D

T- tachycardia

I- irritability

R- restless

E- excess hunger

D- diaphoresis

I kept forgetting which was dangerous when you're pregnant; regular measles (rubeola), or

German measles (rubella), so remember:

-never get pregnant with a German (rubella)

When drawing up regular insulin & NPH together, remember:

- Nicole Richie RN (regular comes before NPH)

Tetralogy of fallot

Think DROP(child drops to floor or squats) or POSH

Defect, septal

Right Ventricular hypertrophy

Overriding aorts

Pulmonary stenosis

MAOI's that are used as antidepressants:

weird way to remember, I know. pirates say arrrr, so think; pirates take MAOI's when they're

depressed.

- explanation; MAOI's used for depression all have an arrr sound in the middle (Parnate, Marplan,

Nardil)

easy way to remember MAOI'S!

think of PANAMA!

PA - parnate

NA - nardil

MA - marplan

Have trouble remembering fhr patterns in OB? Think VEAL CHOP

V C

E H

A O

L P

V = variable decels; C = cord compression caused

E = early decels; H = head compression caused

A = accels; O = okay, not a problem!

L = late decels = placental insufficiency, can't fill

Also for ventilator alarms

HOLD

High alarm- Obstruction due to incr. secretions, kink, pt. coughs, gag or bites

Low press alarm- Disconnection or leak in ventilatior or in pt. airway cuff, pt. stops spontaneous

Breathing

Immediate tx of MI, think MONA:

M Morphine sulfate

O Oxygen

N Nitroglycerin

A ASA

Treatment of CHF, think UNLOAD FAST:

U sit Upright

N Nitro

L Lasix

O Oxygen

A Aminophylline-for lungs clear wheezing

D Digoxin

F Fluids- decrease

A Afterload - decrease

S Sodium - decrease

T Tests: dig level, ABG, K+

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There are a lot of threads on helpful mnemonics on AllNurses but aspiringpediatric's post covered some great ones! I used some of those when taking the boards. Depending on what questions the computer throws at you, they can be very helpful in remembering basic information.

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You're all welcome! I took the exam today and got the good pop-up! I sure hope I'm not the exception to the rule.

And here are some more it found on the website so you all can have them in one thread.

Signs and symptoms of cardiac tamponade (Beck's Triad): The Three D's

Distant heart sounds

Distended jugular veins

Decreased pulse pressure (think of a narrow pulse pressure as opposed to a wide one)

Atrial Arrhythmias: ABCDE

Adenosine/amiodorone or anticoagulate (if Afib/Flutter has been present >48h)

Beta blockers

Calcium channel blockers

Digoxin

Electrocardiovert (if

For ventricular arrhythmias: AL

Amiodorone

Lidocaine

Tricyclics

E ach = Elavil

V ictoms = Vivactil

A = Aventyl

T ough = Tofranil

N eurotic = Norpramin

Pulmonary Edema

M=Morphine

A=aminophylline

D=digoxin

D=diuretic

O=O2

G=Gases (ABG's)

Anti-Anxiety

L= Librium

E= Equanil

A= atarax

V= valium

S= serax (smell the flowers with leaves)

S/E of Pitocin Think of the titanic sinking in the pit of the ocean (pit ocin)

P= pressure is elevated

I= intake and output

T= tetanic contractions

O=O2 decreases in fetus

C=cardiac arrhythmia

I=Irregularity in fetal heart rate

N=N/V

ACE Inhibitor Side Effects – CRAP PILOT

C ough

R enal impairment

A naphylaxis

P alpitations

P otassium elevated

I mpotence

L eukocytosis

O rthostatic hypotension

T aste

Anti-Epileptic Side Effect – ABC 2D EF 2G 2H

A taxia

B lood dyscrasia

C left lip

D upuytrens

Vit D deficiency

E xfoliation of skin & Stevens Johnson's

F its

G I upset

G um hypertrophy

H epatitis

H airy

Barbiturate Side Effects – AB 2C 3D

A taxia

B ehavioral disturbance

C oncentration decreased

C oma

D epression

D rowsy

D iplopia

Cholinergic OD Side Effects – BLESS DUMB MW

B radycardia

L acrimation

E mesis

S alivation

S weating

D iarrhea

U rination

M iosis

B ronchorrea

Muscle Weakness

Cyclosporin Side Effects – G4HRT

G um Hypertrophy

H yperkalemia

H ypertension

Hair

R enal toxicity

T remor

Gynacomastia Causing Drugs - DISCO 2MTV

D igoxin

I soniazid

S pironolactone

C imetidine

O estrogens

M ethyldopa

M etronidazole

T CAD

V erapamil

MAOI Side Effects - The 3Hs

H epatocellular jaundice

H yperthermia

H ypertension

Propranolol, contra-indications - ABCDE

A sthma

B lock (heart)

C ardiac failure

D iabetes Mellitus (hypoglycemic shock)

E xtremities (occlusive arterial disease)

Pulmonary Edema, Non-Cardiac – POOP PNS

P hosgene

O pioids

O rganophosphates

P araquat

P henothiazines

N itrous dioxide

S alicylate

TCAD Side Effects – NO A COW

N euro

O thers

A nticholinergic

C VS

O verdose

W ithdrawal

Rat Poison - RATS PANIC or CRAP PANTS PIC

R ed squill

A rsenic

T hallium

S trychnine

P NU/Phosphorus/ZN Phosphide

A lpha naphtha thiurea (ANTU)

N orbormide

I ndanediones

C oumarin/Cholecalciferol

Rat Poison - CRAP PANTS PIC

C holecalciferol

R ed squill

A lpha naphtha thiurea (ANTU)

ZN Phosphide

P hosphorus

A rsenic

N orbormide

T hallium

S trychnine

P NU

I ndanediones

C oumarin

Steroid Side Effects - WITCH MOP GAGS CHAMP

W ound Healing Poor

I mmunosuppresion

T hin skin

C ushingoid

H eartburn

M yopathy

O steoporosis

P ath #

G astric ulcer (bleeding)

A ppetite increased

G lucose Altered

S tress Response Reduced

C ataract

H ypertension

A cne

M uscle weakness

P sychosis

Steroid Side Effects - A HIBISCUS MOOCHED WIG

A cne

H ypertension

I mmunosuppression

B ruising

I nsomnia

S triae

C ushingoid

U lcers

S kin thinning

M yopathy

O besity

O steoporosis

C ataract

H airy

E dema

D epression

W eakness (proximal muscle)

I nfection

G lycosuria

Warfarin - WEPT

W arfarin

E xtrinsic pathway

Measure PT

Class IC Antiarrhythmics - FEP

F lecainide

E ncainide

P ropafenone

Class III Antiarrhythmics - BIAS

B retylium

I butilide

A miodarone

S otalol

Beta 1 Selective Blockers – A BEAM

A cebutalol

B etaxolol

E smolol

A tenolol

M etoprolol

Gynacomastia, Drugs That Cause - "Some Drugs Create Awesome Knockers”

S pironolactone

D igistalis

C isplatin

A lcohol

K etoconozole

Drugs Causing Pulmonary Fibrosis - BABE

B leomycin

A miodarone

B usulfan

E (empty)

Drugs that Cause Hepatic Necrosis - HAVE

H alothane

A cetaminophen (liquefactive necrosis)

V alproic acid

E (empty)

Drugs Causing Agranulocytosis - The 3Cs

C lozapine

C olchicine

C arbamazepine

Drugs for All Types of Seizures (except petit mal) - CAPHE

CA rbamazepine

PHE nytoin/phenobarbital

Drugs for Petit Mal Seizures - VALET

VAL proic acid

ET hosuximide

Vancomycin - "A Red Van Drove Into The Wall"

A ntihistamines (prevents redman syndrome)

R ed man syndrome

V ancomycin

D -ala D-ala

I nhibitor

T hrombophlebitis

W all (as in cell wall)

Tuberculosis Drugs - SPIRE

S treptomycin

P yrazinamide

I soniazid

R ifampin

E thambutol

Short Acting Benzodiazepines - TOM thumb

T riazolam

O xazepam

M idazolam

Beta 2 Agonists - SMART

S almeterol

M etaproterenol

A lbuterol

R itodrine

T erbutaline

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome - LESS

L amotrigine

E thosuximide

S ulfonamides

S tevens-Johnson

Fluconazole - The 3Cs

C andidiasis

C occidiomycosis

C ryptocococcal meningitis

Class IB Antiarrhythmics - "Medical Lab Technician"

M exilietine

L idocaine

T ocainide

Lithium - LITHIUM

L eukocytosis

I nhibits PIP2, cAMP and 5' deiodinase

T eratogenic/Thiazide contraindicated

H ypothyroidism/Hyponatremia increases toxicity

I nsipidus (nephrogenic diabetes)

visUal dysfunction

M ovement disorders: CATS (Choreoathetosis, Ataxia, Tremors, Seizures)

Drugs Contraindicated During Pregnancy - FACETS

F louroquinolones

A minoglycoside

C larithromycin

E rythromycin

T etracycline

S ulfonamide

Benzodiazepines Metabolized Outside the Liver - "Outside The Liver”

O xazepam

T emazepam

L orazepam

Drugs Cuasing Megaloblastic Anemia - MAPLE

M ethotrexate

A ZT = zidovudine

P henytoin (causes folate deficiency)

L iver disease

E thanol

Amphotericin Toxicities - AMPHOTERICIN B

A nemia

M uscle spasms

P hlebitis

H eadaches/Hypotension/Hypokalemia

T hrombocytopenia

E mesis/Encephalopathy

R espiratory strida

I ncreased temperature (fever)

C hills

I mmediate hypersensitivity (anaphylaxis)

N ephrotoxicity--important!

B ronchospasm

Amphotericin Toxicities – THE BRASH PAN CHEF

T hrombocytopenia

H eadaches

E mesis

B ronchospasm

R espiratory strida

A nemia

S pasms

H ypotension

P hlebitis

A naphylaxis

N ephrotoxicity--important!

C hills

H ypokalemia

E ncephalopathy

F ever

CNS Effects of Morphine – ME CAN’T SCREAM

M ydriasis in doses causing asphyxia

E mesis

C onvulsions

A sphyxia

N ausea

T runcal rigidity (especially with fentanyl)

S edation

C ough suppression

R espiratory depression

E uphoria

A nalgesia

M yosis (but may cause mydriasis in doses causing asphyxia)

Crash Cart Meds – LEAN

L idocaine

E pinepherine

A tropine

N arcan

RN

- Invasive procedure = I AM RN EDUCATED

- Initial/Comprehensive/Baseline (assessments)

- Assess (FREQUENT/ONGOING =UNSTABLE Patients)

- MANAGING and LEADING client care environment

Ex. Clients who are in severe and Refusing Meds (needs more assessment)

- Review

- NSG Process/ NSG Judgement Use (APIE= Assessment,Planning, Implementation,Evaluation)

- Encourage

- Develop

- Use Of IV meds (ex. plasma, blood products-- these and IV are done by RN only)

- Consult/Counsel/Suggest & Update

- ADMISSION .. NEW & POST OP

- Teach

- Educate

- DISCHARGE & ADMISSION Preparation

LPN/LVN-

-Certain Invasive Task =I-SOUND STAR CROSS ++

- IM adm

- SQ adm.

- ORAL meds adm

- URINARY CATHETERIZATION

- Nitroglycerin

- DREASSING of WOUND (CHANGING & IRRIGATING) very commonly seen Q.

- SUCTIONING

- TUBE FEEDING

- Auscultate/Listen

- Routine/Standard

- Check(s)

- Reinforce/remind

- Observe

- Set up (basic equipment)

- Specimen Collection & Data Colletion

+

-Blood glucose readings

-Monitor

-Review/Teach-- Usually standard practices (hand washing/hygiene) or med administration (ie. eye drops) -- RN mostly teaches/educated and LPNs Reinforce

+

CAST & TOE Amputation are stable clients and need on going assessment and pain mgt./La Charity Book(Don’t know too..just dont deprive with it.. just follow the book

Data Collection such as LISTENING to LUNG SOUNDS & CHECKING for PERIPHERAL EDEMA_Part of LPN scope of practice: /LaCharity Book

** Don't assign LVN/LPN to do a task an nurse assistant can complete**

NURSING ASSISTANT/UAP- Unlicense assistive personnel

- Non Invasive procedure/Basic Care =SPARRTACUS GROAM +++

-SKIN CARE (ex. bed rest with a skin tear and hematoma from a fall 2 days ago, Apply and care for a client’s rectal pouch )

-POSITIONING-- Special positioning-- requires initial education by RN -- assistant will assist not teach

-AMBULATION/ Assisting with ADL (AMBULATION of FRACTURED HIP only RN& PT) ( Patienst with CHESTUBE ambulating the hall-LPN/LVN)

-RECORDING & MONITORING of V/S (BP,Pulse, Oxygen sat,)

-RANGE OF MOTION &EXERCISE

-TRANSPORT OF CLIENT

-ASSIST (Assisting for Prep for SITZ Bath)

-COLLECTION OF

-URINE &

-STOOL

-GROAM (Groaming & Hygiene Measure, Bathing & checking water temp)

+

WEIGHTING

INTAKE & OUTPUT

FEEDING

+

- Remind/Reinforce: usually reminds pt. TO do something rather than HOW to do it (skills previously taught by other health care professional or precaution measures)***

- They can detach suction and remove a foley but not connect or insert

- Gather (equipment)

+

- Measurement of ankle and bracial blood pressure for ankle brachial index calculation.(Calculated already)

( Calculation on the ankle-brachian index is responsibility of RN)

-Experienced Nsg Assistant should have been taught how to..

Monitor Apical Pulse, However, the RN should observe to be sure that s/he mastered this skills.

---La Charity Book---

NEW RN

-Education and hospital orientation includes.. SAFE administration of IV meds.

-STABLE PATIENTS

SOME KEY POINTS:

Patients that require teaching about drugs or need procedures done are NOT RN priority.

PHYSICIAN

-Informed Consent

-Medical diagnosis

-Prescriptions

-Order procedures

Avoid These Assignments for New/Float/LVN/LPN/Traveling

-New onset/sudden/acute

-New admission

-Transfer

-Newly diagnosed

-Discharge

-Require education/teaching (beyond basic skills -- tend to be complex and specific to patients on that particular unit)

- Unstable (ie. High risk of sudden respiratory failure, or requires frequent assessments and changes in therapy(like electrolyte imbalances)

Give:

- Chronic

- Routine meds/procedures

- Stable

ALL HEALTHCARE WORKERS

- Responsible for knowing about and implementing standard precautions + airborne/droplet/contact --> therefore all can teach about it or prepare a room for it

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The only one that has stuck with me from Anatomy is the sperm pathway

SEVEN UP

S - Seminal Vesicle

E - Epididmys

V - Vas Deferens

E - Ejaculatory Duct

N - (nothing - skip this letter)

U - Urethra

P - member

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WOW OMG thanx for the great information!:D

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Specializes in LTC, Med-surg.

Cranial Nerves:

Old Oliver Often Traveled Through Arches For Very Good Vacation And Holidays

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ANTI GOUT MEDS - "CAP DIE"

Colchicine - deposition of uric acid

Allopurinol - inhibits uric acid

Probenecid - excretion of uric acid

TRANESOPHAGEAL ATRESIA - "3C"

Coughing, Cyanosis, Choking

DIGOXIN TOXICITY – “VANDAB” (0.5-1.2 mg/dl)

Vomiting

Anorexia

Nausea

Diarrhea

Arrythmias

Blurred Vision

LITHIUM TOXICITY – “VANTABS” (0.5-1.2 mg/dl)

Vomiting

Anorexia

Nausea

Tremors; Tinnitus

Arrythmia

Blurred vision

Seizures ;Severe hypotension

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