Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.
allnurses

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.
Discussion

How do you remember all the symptoms

I have a G.I. and Enodocrine Patho examination next week and the symptoms are so similar to each other. Any suggestions on how I can learn it?

Featured Replies

Mnemonics?

Repetition and memorization worked for me.

I have a G.I. and Enodocrine Patho examination next week and the symptoms are so similar to each other. Any suggestions on how I can learn it?

http://www.medicalmnemonics.com/cgi-bin/return.cfm?discipline_id=All&system_id=3&bodypart_id=All&level_lo=All&level_hi=All&clinical=All&hi_yield=All&g_rated=All&language_id=All&numrows=10&rowstart=1&searchbox=&mtype_id=All&orderresultsby=rating

http://www.medicalmnemonics.com/cgi-bin/return.cfm?discipline_id=All&system_id=1&bodypart_id=All&level_lo=All&level_hi=All&clinical=All&hi_yield=All&g_rated=All&language_id=All&numrows=10&rowstart=1&searchbox=&mtype_id=All&orderresultsby=rating

Hope the links helped :lol2:

  • Author

Thank you. I will check the links out and yes repetition always.

  • Expert

Keep in mind that the symptoms are always manifestations of what has gone wrong with the normal anatomy or physiology. Use the Critical Thinking Flow Sheet for Nursing Students that you can open and download from the bottom of my post. (If you can't open the file, let me know and I'll e-mail it to you.) The first two items on this sheet are (1) to list how the disease has altered the normal anatomical or physiological processes of the body, and (2) to list the signs and symptoms that a patient with this medical diagnosis (or disease) will have. The point is that these two lists are directly related to each other. This sheet was originally designed to be used to help in the critical thinking of putting together a care plan, but what you are being asked to learn in a pathophysiology class is just one of the first steps of this critical thinking process although you might not be told this. I'm telling you that this is what is going on. You can memorize these things, but relating the pathology (what went wrong) to what is supposed to be normal = symptoms. Learn that for each disease and you'll have a better understanding and remembering of it. Next step. . .in nursing classes you will learn about the specific medical and nursing treatments that are applied to these symptoms and why they work. It's all related. This is all part of the critical thinking that underlies the nursing process.

Here's an analogy to give you an idea of what I'm talking about:

you bought a balloon at a carnival and it was all inflated with helium and floating nicely in the air. The intact walls of the balloon held the helium in place (normal anatomy).

Balloon with helium (normal anatomy) = floating in air (normal behavior)

A few hours later it was deflated, flat and lying on the ground (symptoms). Your nasty little cousin was seen standing nearby holding a pin and laughing wickedly at you. Upon examination of the balloon you discover a tiny puncture hole in the wall of the balloon. The little brat.

hole (pathophysiology, what went wrong) = deflation (symptom)

You can memorize these things, but relating the pathology (what went wrong) to what is supposed to be normal = symptoms. Learn that for each disease and you'll have a better understanding and remembering of it.

This is so true! I find memorizing works best for things like drug endings and straight anatomy, but nothing beats understanding the physiology if you really what to remember the s/s, drug actions, interventions, etc. All the little songs and poems and stuff total mess me up. Just explain to me what is going on in the body, please.

~Mel'

I look for the difference in symptoms, when the question is asked on the test I'm almost 100% sure that is what the question will include.

I did the same for my fluid and electrolyte test. This the perfect example of conditions with similar symptoms...I always try and zone in on the symptom(s) that seperates them.

Good luck,

P2

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
Go to topic listing

Currently Reading 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications
Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.