helpful acrostics

For remembering the symptoms the parasympathetic nervous system produces (parasympathetic drugs, etc.)

SLUDGE

Salivation, lacrimation, Urination, Defication, GI, Emesis

OPQRST (assessment of chest pain)

onset, provokes, quality, radiating, severity, time of occurence

Never Let a Monkey Eat Bananas (# of white blood cells from greatest to least)

Neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils

SAMPLE (a very quick patient history, like you might do in the ER)

Signs/symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent past history, Last oral intake, Events leading up to the problem

AEIOU TIPS (common causes of altered mental status)

Alcohol/drugs, Endocrine, Insulin Overdose, Uremia, Trauma, Infection, Psychiatric, Shock

For remembering the symptoms the parasympathetic nervous system produces (parasympathetic drugs, etc.)

SLUDGE

Salivation, lacrimation, Urination, Defication, GI, Emesis

OPQRST (assessment of chest pain)

onset, provokes, quality, radiating, severity, time of occurence

Never Let a Monkey Eat Bananas (# of white blood cells from greatest to least)

Neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils

SAMPLE (a very quick patient history, like you might do in the ER)

Signs/symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent past history, Last oral intake, Events leading up to the problem

AEIOU TIPS (common causes of altered mental status)

Alcohol/drugs, Endocrine, Insulin Overdose, Uremia, Trauma, Infection, Psychiatric, Shock

ooooh...those are some good ones! thanks for sharing, Jill1215.

keep em comin' kids. we need all the helpful hints we can get!

So far I have learnt:

To conduct symptom analysis: PQRST provokes/palliates, quality/quantity, region/radiates, severity and timing if problems are found after doing the ROS (review of systems).

For assessment: FANCAPES - fluid intake, aeration, nutrition, communication, activity, pain, elimination, socialization. Also COLDSPA - character, onset, location, duration, severity, pattern and associated symptoms.

Phases of the nursing process, AD PIE - assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation.

Physical examination techniques: I PP (double P) AO - inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation & olfaction to thoroughly examine patient.

Edit: The general survey (study of the whole person/patient) SOME TEAMS - Symmetry, Old, Mentation, Expression, Trunk, Extremities, Appearance, Movement & Speech.

The only new one I can offer is on pain evaluation: OLD CARTS

Onset

Location

Duration

Characteristics

Aggravating factors

Relieving factors

Timing

Severity

And ADME ("add me") to remember the phases of Pharmacokinetics.

Absorbtion, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion.

The coolest thing I learned to help me remember lab values: Use a dry erase marker on a mirror to write a different range every week. (ie, Potassium or even normal blood component ranges) Each time, use a different color and different locations on the mirror/different mirrors. You can actually recall them and picture it in your mind on exams! Wipes right off too. SG

i thought of another one i just learned:

ER Priorities (and these can help prioritize for NCLEX type questions)

A airway

B breathing

C circulation

D disability (neuro test)

E exposure (environment control)

F farenheit (take temp/check all VS)/full set of VS/

five interventions:

1. ECG

2. Oximetry

3. Catheter

4. NG/OG tube

5. labs

G give comfort (measures)

H health history

I inspect (posterior surfaces)

i thought of another one i just learned:

ER Priorities (and these can help prioritize for NCLEX type questions)

A airway

B breathing

C circulation

D disability (neuro test)

E exposure (environment control)

F farenheit (take temp/check all VS)/full set of VS/

five interventions:

1. ECG

2. Oximetry

3. Catheter

4. NG/OG tube

5. labs

G give comfort (measures)

H health history

I inspect (posterior surfaces)

I use acrostics to help me learn all the time. Thanks for these! I'm still taking pre-req's/co-req's so nothing to add yet.

how 'bout "C3-4-5 keeps the diaphragm alive"