Mnemonics for Nursing Exam Review

I have compiled several Mnemonics to help nurses from all over the world with their nursing exams.
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DRUGS THAT STAINS THE TEETH (use straw)

LINT:

LUGOL'S SOLUTION

IRON

NITROFURANTOIN

TETRACYCLINE

CRANIAL NERVES that control/innervates  the muscles of the eye

LR6 - LATERAL RECTUS : CN6

SO4 - SUPERIOR OBLIQUE : CN4

ALL3 - ALL THE REST : CN3

RADIATION TX VIA:

MENSA:

MUSTARD

ESTROGEN

NITROGEN

STEROIDS

ANTIBIOTICS

OSMOLALITY

D = D

DILUTE = DECREASE OSMOLALITY

SHOCK

HYPO-TACHY-TACHY:
HYPOTENSION
TACHYPNEA
TACHYCARDIA

INCREASE ICP (CUSHINGS TRIAD)

HYPER-BRADY-BRADY:
HYPERTENSION (WIDE PULSE PRESSURE)
BRADYCARDIA
BRADYPNEA

HYPOGLYCEMIA

TIRED:
TREMORS, TACHYCARDIA
IRRITABILITY
RESTLESSNESS
EXTREME
DIAPHORESIS

EARLY SIGNS OF HYPOXIA

RAT:
RESTLESSNESS
AGITATION
TACHYCARDIA

LATE SIGNS OF HYPOXIA

BED-C:
BRADYCARDIA
EXTREME RESTLESSNESS
DYSPNEA
CYANOSIS

CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE

MADD DOG:

MORPHINE
AMINOPHYLLINE
DOPAMINE

DIGOXIN

DIURETICS
O2
GASSES – MONITOR (ABG)

MG SO4 TOXICITY

BURP:
BP DECREASE
URINE OUTPUT DECREASE
RESPIRATORY RATE DECREASE
PATELLAR REFLEX ABSENT

SICKLE CELL DISEASE
HOPIA:

HYDRATION
OXYGENATION
PAIN
INFECTION
AVOID HIGH PLACES

PREGNANCY INDUCED HYPERTENSION, SEVERE PREECLAMPSIA

HELP:
HEMOLYSIS
ELEVATED LIVER ENZYMES
LOW
PLATELETS

GI SYMPTOMS AND TOXICITY TO DIGOXIN

VANDA:
VOMITTING
ANOREXIA
NAUSEA
DIARRHEA
ABDOMINAL PAIN

FRACTURE Management

PRICE:
PRESSURE
REST
ICE
COMPRESSION
ELEVATION

TETRALOGY OF FALLOT

DROP:
DISPLACED AORTA
RIGHT VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY
OPENING INTO THE SEPTUM (VSD)
PULMONARY STENOSIS

HYPOKALEMIA Signs and Symptoms

SUCTION:
SKELETAL MUSCLE WEAKNESS
U-WAVE ON ECG
CONSTIPATION
TOXICITY TO DIGOXIN
IRREGULAR WEAK PULSE
OTOSTASIS
NUMBNESS PARESTHESIA

NEUROVASCULAR CHECK

"5P’S"
PAIN
PULSELESSNESS
PARESTHESIA
PARALYSIS
PALLOR

VIRCHOW’S TRIAD IN DVT

VDH:
VENUS STASIS
DAMAGE TO VESSELS
HYPERCOAGUABILITY

ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURISM

"4A’s"
ASSYMPTOMATIC
ABDOMINAL MASS
ABDOMINAL PULSE
ACHES LOW BACK

ANTI TB DRUGS AND SIDE EFFECTS

RIPES:
RIFAMPICIN – RED-ORANGE URINE
ISONIAZID – PERIPHERAL NEURITIS
PYRAZINAMIDE – INCREASE URIC ACID
ETHAMBUTOL – EYE PROBLEMS
STREPTOMYCIN – OTOTOXIC

Basic MI management

BOOMAR:
Bed rest

Oxygen

Opiate

Monitoring

Anticoagulation

Reduce clot size

To Remember Immunoglobulins

GAMED:
IgG

IgA

IgM

IgE

IgD

Location of the heart valve from right to left

"A Permanently Temperamental Man"

Aortic

Pulmonary

Tricuspid

Mitral

"Cut C4, breathe no more"

The 3rd, 4th and 5th cervical spinal nerves innervate the diaphragm.

Types of Joint movements

FEEDPIPE CARDSHARP:
Flexion

Extension

Eversion

Dorsiflexion

Pronation

Inversion

Plantarflexion

Elevation

Circumduction

Abduction

Rotation

Depression

Supination

Hyperextension

Adduction

Retraction

Protraction

Cranial Nerves

"Oh Ohh Ohhh To Try And Fit A Gold Velvet So Heavenly"

Olfactory CN I

Optic CN II

Occulomotor CN III

Trochlear CN IV

Trigeminal CN V

Abducens CN VI

Facial CN VII

Auditory CN VIII

Glasopharyngeal CN IX

Vagus CN X

Spinal/Accessory CN XI

Hypoglossal CN XII

"Point and Shoot!"

For remembering that Parasympathetics are involved with erection and Sympathetics with ejaculation.

Layers of the scalp

SCALP:
Skin

Connective tissue

Aponeurosis

Loose areolar tissue

Pericranium

Carpal bones of the hand (lateral to medial)

"She Looks Too Proud, Try To Chase Her"

Proximal row:

Scaphoid

Lunate

Triquetrum

Pisiform

Distal row:

Trapezium

Trapezoid

Capitate

Hamate

Viruses causing diarrhea

ACNE CAR:

Adeno virus

Corana virus

Norwak virus

Entero virus

Calci virus

Astro virus

Rota virus

The Krebs cycle

"Can I Actually See Some Filipina Mothers"

Citrate

Isocitrate

alpha Ketoglutarate

Succinyl CoA

Succinate

Fumarate

Malate

Oxaloacetate

Stages of mitosis/meiosis including interphase as a phase

"In Philippines, Men Are Talented"

Interphase

Prophase

Metaphase

Anaphase

Telophase

Order of prevalence of White Blood Cells, most prevalent to least

"Never Let Monkeys Eat Bananas"
Neutrophils

Lymphocytes

Monocytes

Eosinophils

Basophils

10 essential amino acids

PVT. TIM HALL:
Phenylalanine

Valine

Tryptophan

Threonine

Isoleucine

Metheonine

Histidine(semi-essential)

Arginine(semi-essential)

Leucine

Lysine

Uses of Chloroquine (other than malaria)

RED LIP:

Rheumatoid arthritis

Extra intestinal amoebiasis

Discoid lupus erythematosus

Lepra reaction

Infectious mononucleosis

Photogenic reactions

Bronchodilators

TO A SIS:

Terbutaline

Orciprenaline

Adrenaline

Salbutamol

Isoprenaline

Salmeterol

Signs of Cor Pulmonale

"Please Read His Text"

Peripheral edema

Raised JVP

Hepatomegaly

Tricuspid incompetence

Portal hypertension features

ABCDE:

Ascites

Bleeding (hematemesis, piles)

Caput medusae

Diminished liver

Enlarged spleen

Key questions needed in an emergency history taking situation

AMPLE:

Allergies

Medication

Past medical history

Last meal

Events and environment related to injury

Malignancies that metastisize to bone

"Laging Panalo Kung Taga Bulacan"

Lung

Prostat

Kidney

Thyroid

Breast

Scarlet Fever

"6S's"

Streptococci causal organism

Sorethroat

Swollen tonsils

Strawberry tongue

Sandpaper rash

miliarySudamina vesicles over hands, feet, abdomen

Signs of anti-cholinergic crisis

SLUD:

Salivation

Lacrimation

Urination

Defecation

Causes of huge spleen

"3M's"

Myelofibrosis

Malaria

Myelogenous leukemia

Cardinal Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

TRAP:

Tremor

Rigidity

Akinesia and bradykinesia

Postural Instability

Days of appearance of rashes

Varicella (chickenpox) - "Very Sick Patients Must Take Double Exercise"

1st dayScarlet fever

2nd dayPox(smallpox)

3rd dayMumps

4th dayTyphus

5th dayDengue

6th dayEnteric fever(typhoid)

SIGNS OF CANCER

CAUTION US:
Change in bowel /bladder habits

A sore that doesn’t heal

Unusual bleeding/ Discharge

Thickening of lump – breast or elsewhere

Indigestion/ Dysphagia

Obvious change in wart/ mole

Nagging cough/ hoarseness

Unexplained anemia

Sudden weight loss

FOCUS OF PATIENT CARE IN CLIENTS WITH CANCER

CANCER:

Chemotherapy

Assess body image disturbance (related to alopecia)

Nutritional needs when N/V present

Comfort from pain

Effective response to Tx (Evaluate)

Rest (for patient and family)

Acid-base

"ROME" (Respiratory Opposite, Metabolic Equal)

Acidosis

» Respiratory (opposite): pH Pco2

» Metabolic(equal): pH HCO3

Alkalosis

» Respiratory (opposite): pH Pco2

» Metabolic(equal): pH HCO3

Alcohol withdrawal: clinical features

HITS:
Hallucinations (visual, tactile)

Increased vital signs and insomnia

Tremens delirium tremens (potentially lethal)

Shakes/ Sweats/ Seizures/ Stomach pains (nausea, vomiting)

Angina: precipitating factors

"4E's"

Eating

Emotion

Exertion (Exercise)

Extreme Temperatures (Hot or Cold weather)

Anorexia nervosa: clinical features

ANOREXIC:

Adolescent women/ Amenorrhea

NGT alimentation (most severe cases)

Obsession with losing weight/ becoming fat though underweight

Refusal to eat (5% die)

Electrolyte abnormalities (e.g., K+, cardiac arrhythmia)

X - ercise

Intelligence often above average/ Induced vomiting

Cathartic use (and diuretic abuse)

Appendicitis: assessment

PAINS:
Pain (RLQ)

Anorexia

Increased temperature, WBC (15,000–20,000)

Nausea

Signs (McBurney's, Psoas)

Neurovascular Occlusion: symptoms

"6 P's"
Pain

Pale

Pulseless

Paresthesia

Poikilothermic

Paralysis

Blood glucose (rhyme)

Symptom Implication

Cold and clammy . . . give hard candy

Hot and dry . . . glucose is high

Blood vessels in umbilical cord

AVA: (2 arteries and 1 vein)
Artery

Vein

Artery

Cholecystitis: risk factors

"5F's"

Female

Fat

Forty

Fertile

Fair

Cleft lip: nursing care plan (postoperative)

CLEFT LIP:
Crying, minimize

Logan bow

Elbow restraints

Feed with Brecht feeder

Teach feeding techniques; two months of age (average age at repair)

Liquid (sterile water), rinse after feeding

Impaired feeding (no sucking)

Position—never on abdomen

Cognitive disorders: assessment of difficulties

JOCAM:
Judgment

Orientation

Confabulation

Affect

Memory

Coma: Causes

A-E-I-O-U TIPS:

Alcohol, acidosis (hyperglycemic coma)

Epilepsy (also electrolyte abnormality, endocrine problem)

Insulin (hypoglycemic shock)

Overdose (or poisoning)

Uremia and other renal problems

Trauma; temperature abnormalities (hypothermia, heat stroke)

Infection (e.g., meningitis)

Psychogenic ("hysterical coma")

Stroke or space-occupying lesions in the cranium

Cushing's Syndrome: Signs and Symptoms 

"3S's"
Sugar (hyperglycemia)

Salt (hypernatremia)

Sex (excess androgens)

Diabetes: Signs and Symptoms 

"3P's"
Polydipsia (very thirsty)

Polyphagia (very hungry)

Polyuria (urinary frequency)

Low cholesterol diet

Avoid the "3C's"
Cake

Cookies

Cream (dairy, e.g., milk, ice cream)

Dystocia: etiology

"3P's"

Power

Passageway

Passenger

Dystocia: general aspects (maternal)

"3P's"
Psych

Placenta

Position

Episiotomy assessment

REEDA:

Redness

Edema

Ecchymosis

Discharge

Approximation of skin

Eye medications

Mydriatic = dilated pupils

Miotic = tiny (constricted) pupils

Hypertension: complications

"4 C’s"

CAD (coronary artery disease)

CHF (congestive heart failure)

CRF (chronic renal failure)

CVA (cardiovascular accident; now called brain attack or stroke)

Hypertension: Nursing care plan

I-TIRED:
Intake and output (urine)

Take blood pressure

Ischemia attack, transient (watch for TIAs)

Respiration, pulse

Electrolytes

Daily weight

Hypoglycemia Signs and Symptoms 

DIRE:

Diaphoresis

Increased pulse

Restless

Extra hungry

Infections during pregnancy

TORCH:
Toxoplasmosis

Other (hepatitis B, syphilis, group B beta strep)

Rubella

Cytomegalovirus

Herpes simplex virus

IUD: potential problems with use

PAINS:
Period (menstrual: late, spotting, bleeding)

Abdominal pain, dyspareunia

Infection (abnormal vaginal discharge)

Not feeling well, fever or chills

String missing

Manipulation: nursing plan, promote the

"3C’s"

Cooperation

Compromise

Collaboration

Medication administration

"Six rights"
RIGHT medication

RIGHT dosage

RIGHT route

RIGHT time

RIGHT client

RIGHT technique

Melanoma characteristics

ABCD:

Asymmetry

Border

Color

Diameter

Mental retardation: nursing care plan

"3R's"

Regularity (provide routine and structure)

Reward (positive reinforcement)

Redundancy (repeat)

Myocardial infarction: treatment

MONA:
Monitor/ Morphine

Oxygen

Nitroglycerin

Aspirin

Newborn assessment components

APGAR:
Appearance

Pulse

Grimace

Activity

Respiratory effort

Obstetric (maternity) history

GTPAL:
Gravida

Term

Preterm

Abortions (SAB, TAB)

Living children

Oral contraceptives: signs of potential problems

ACHES:
Abdominal pain (possible liver or gallbladder problem)

Chest pain or shortness of breath (possible pulmonary embolus)

Headache (possible hypertension, brain attack)

Eye problems (possible hypertension or vascular accident)

Severe leg pain (possible thromboembolic process)

Pain History Assessment

PQRST:
What Provokes the pain?

What is the Quality of the pain?

Does the pain Radiate?

What is the Severity of the pain?

What is the Timing of the pain?

OLDER SAAB:

Onset            

Location

Description (what does it feel like)

Exacerbating factors

Radiation

Severity

Associated symptoms

Alleviating factors

Before (ever experience this before)

Pain: management

"ABC’s"
Ask about the pain

Believe when clients say they have pain

Choices—let clients know their choices

Deliver what you can, when you said you would

Empower/Enable clients' control over pain

Postoperative complications: order

"4W's"
Wind (pulmonary)

Wound

Water (urinary tract infection)

Walk (thrombophlebitis)

Preterm infant: anticipated problems

TRIES:
Temperature regulation (poor)

Resistance to infections (poor)

Immature liver

Elimination problems (necrotizing enterocolitis [NEC])

Sensory-perceptual functions (retinopathy of prematurity [ROP])

Psychotropic medications: common antidepressives (tricyclics)

VENT:
Vivactil

Elavil

Norpramin

Tofranil

Schizophrenia: primary symptoms

"4A’s"
Affect

Ambivalence

Associative looseness

Autism

Sprain: nursing care plan

RICE:
Rest

Ice

Compression

Elevation

Stool assessment

ACCT:

Amount

Color

Consistency

Timing

Tracheoesophageal fistula: assessment

"3C’s"
Coughing

Choking

Cyanosis

Traction: nursing care plan

TRACTION:
Trapeze bar overhead to raise and lower upper body

Requires free-hanging weights; body alignment

Analgesia for pain, prn

Circulation (check color and pulse)

Temperature (check extremity)

Infection prevention

Output (monitor)

Nutrition (alteration related to immobility)

Transient ischemic attacks: assessment

"3T’s"
Temporary unilateral visual impairment

Transient paralysis (one-sided)

Tinnitus = vertigo

Trauma care: complications

TRAUMA:
Thromboembolism; Tissue perfusion, altered

Respiration, altered

Anxiety related to pain and prognosis

Urinary elimination, altered

Mobility impaired

Alterations in sensory-perceptual functions and skin integrity (infections)

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (alcohol-associated neurological disorder)

COAT RACK:

Wernicke's encephalopathy (acute phase) clinical features:

Confusion

Ophthalmoplegia

Ataxia

Thiamine is an important aspect of Tx

Korsakoff's psychosis (chronic phase) characteristic findings:

Retrograde amnesia (recall of some old memories)

Anterograde amnesia (ability to form new memories)

Confabulation

Korsakoff's psychosis

CARDIAC VALVES

"TRI before you BI"

Tricuspid valve is located in left heart and Bicuspid valve is located in right heart. Blood flows through the tricuspid before bicuspid.

FEMORAL HERNIA

FEMoral hernias are more common in FEMales.

HEART VALVE

"TRY PULLING MY AORTA":

Tricuspid

Pulmonary

Mitral

Aorta

PLACENTA-CROSSING SUBSTANCES

"Want My Hot Dog":

Wastes

Antibodies

Nutrients

Teratogens

Microorganisms

Hormones/ HIV

Drugs

EMERGENCY MEDICINE

ACTIVATED CHARCOAL: CONTRAINDICATIONS
CHEMICAL CamP:

Cyanide

Hydrocarbons

Ethanol

Metals

Iron

Caustics

Airway unprotected

Lithium

CAMphor

Potassium

IPECAC: CONTRAINDICATIONS

“4 C's”
Comatose

Convulsing

Corrosive

hydroCarbon

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION: CAUSES OF NEW ONSET

THE ATRIAL FIBS:
Thyroid

Hypothermia

Embolism (P.E.)

Alcohol

Trauma (cardiac contusion)

Recent surgery (post CABG)

Ischemia

Atrial enlargement

Lone or idiopathic

Fever, anemia, high-output states

Infarct

Bad valves (mitral stenosis)

Stimulants (cocaine, theo, amphet, caffeine)

ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE DELIVERABLE DRUGS

O NAVEL:
Oxygen

Naloxone

Atropine

Ventolin (albuterol)

Epinephrine

Lidocaine

MALARIA COMPLICATIONS OF FALCIPARUM MALARIA

CHAPLIN:
Cerebral malaria/ Coma

Hypoglycemia

Anaemia

Pulmonary edema

Lactic acidosis

Infections

Necrois of renal tubules (ATN)

MI IMMEDIATE TREATMENT

DOGASH:
Diamorphine

Oxygen

GTN spray

Asprin 300mg

Streptokinase

Heparin

SHOCK: SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

TV SPARC CUBE:

Thirst

Vomiting

Sweating

Pulse weak

Anxious

Respirations shallow/rapid

Cool

Cyanotic

Unconscious

BP low

Eyes blank

SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE (SAH) CAUSES
BATS:

Berry aneurysm

Arteriovenous malformation/ Adult polycystic kidney disease

Trauma (eg being struck with baseball bat)

Stroke

VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION: TREATMENT

"Shock, Shock, Shock, Everybody Shock, Little Shock, Big Shock, Momma Shock, Poppa Shock"
Shock= Defibrillate

Everybody= Epinephine

Little= Lidocaine

Big= Bretylium

Momma= MgSO4

Poppa= Pocainamide

VFIB/VTACH DRUGS USED ACCORDING TO ACLS

"Every Little Boy Must Pray"
Epinephrine

Lidocaine

Bretylium

Magsulfate

Procainamide

DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS MANAGEMENT

KING UFC:

K+ (potassium)

Insulin (5u/hour. Note: sliding scale no longer recommended in the UK)

Nasogastic tube (if patient comatose)

Glucose (once serum levels drop to 12)

Urea (check it)

Fluids (crytalloids)

Creatinine (check it)/ Catheterize

NEUROLOGICAL FOCAL DEFICITS

“10 S's”

Sugar (hypo, hyper)

Stroke

Seizure (Todd's paralysis)

Subdural hematoma

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Space occupying lesion (tumor, avm, aneurysm, abscess)

Spinal cord syndromes

Somatoform (conversion reaction)

Sclerosis (MS)

Some migraines

COMA: Conditions to rule out as a cause of coma
MIDAS:

Meningitis

Intoxication

Diabetes

Air (respiratory failure)

Subdural/ Subarachnoid hemorrhage

MALIGNANT HYPERTHERMIA TREATMENT

"Some Hot Dude Better Give Iced Fluids Fast!" (Hot dude = hypothermia):
Stop triggering agents

Hyperventilate/ Hundred percent oxygen

Dantrolene (2.5mg/kg)

Bicarbonate

Glucose and insulin

IV Fluids and cooling blanket

Fluid output monitoring/ Furosemide/ Fast heart (tachycardia)

RESUSCITATION BASIC STEPS
ABCDE:

Airway

Breathing

Circulation

Drugs

Environment

RLQ PAIN: DIFFERENTIAL
APPENDICITIS:

Appendicitis/ Abscess

PID/ Period

Pancreatitis

Ectopic/ Endometriosis

Neoplasia

Diverticulitis

Intussusception

Crohns Disease/ Cyst (ovarian)

IBD

Torsion (ovary)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Stones

HYPERNATREMIA

FRIED SALT:

Fever (low), flushed skin 

Restless (irritable) 

Increased fluid retention & increased BP 

Edema (peripheral and pitting) 

Decreased urinary output, dry mouth 

Skin flushed 

Agitation 

Low-grade fever 

Thirst

HYPERKALEMIA - Signs and Symptoms 

MURDER:

Muscle weakness 

Urine, oliguria, anuria 

Respiratory distress 

Decreased cardiac contractility 

ECG changes 

Reflexes, hyperreflexia, or areflexia (flaccid)

HYPERKALEMIA - Causes

MACHINE:

Medications - ACE inhibitors, NSAIDS 

Acidosis - Metabolic and respiratory 

Cellular destruction - Burns, traumatic injury 

Hypoaldosteronism/ hemolysis 

Intake - Excessive 

Nephrons, renal failure 

Excretion - Impaired

HYPOCALCEMIA 

CATS:

Convulsions 

Arrhythmias 

Tetany 

Spasms and stridor

BLEEDING - Signs and Symptoms 

BEEP:

Bleeding gums 

Ecchymoses (bruises) 

Epistaxis (nosebleed) 

Petechiae (tiny purplish spots)

RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION - inducing drugs

STOP breathing:

Sedatives and hypnotics 

Trimethoprim 

Opiates 

Polymyxins

PNEUMOTHORAX - Signs and Symptoms 

P-THORAX:

Pleuretic pain 

Trachea deviation 

Hyperresonance 

Onset sudden 

Reduced breath sounds (& dypsnea) 

Absent fremitus 

X-ray shows collapse

PNEUMONIA -  risk factors 

INSPIRATION: 

Immunosuppression 

Neoplasia 

Secretion retention 

Pulmonary oedema 

Impaired alveolar macrophages 

RTI (prior) 

Antibiotics & cytotoxics 

Tracheal instrumentation 

IV dug abuse 

Other (general debility, immobility) 

Neurologic impairment of cough reflex, (eg NMJ disorders)

CROUP - Signs and Symptoms 

SSS:

Stridor 

Subglottic swelling 

Seal-bark cough

SHORTNESS OF BREATH - Causes

AAAA PPPP: 

 Airway obstruction 

Angina 

Anxiety 

Asthma 

Pneumonia 

Pneumothorax 

Pulmonary Edema 

Pulmonary Embolus