Mnemonic device, is any learning technique that aids memory. To improve long term memory, mnemonic systems are used to
make memorization easier. They do so by increasing the efficiency of the
process of consolidation.
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
MURDER
Signs and Symptoms of
Increased Serum K+
M - Muscle weakness
U - Urine, oliguria,
anuria
R- Respiratory distress
D - Decreased cardiac
contractility
E - ECG changes
R - Reflexes,
hyperreflexia, or areflexia (flaccid)
HYPONATREMIA
"You
Are Fried"
F -
Fever (low grade), flushed skin
R - Restless (irritable)
I - Increased fluid retention and increased BP
E - Edema (peripheral and pitting)
D - Decreased urinary output, dry mouth
Can also use this one:
SALT
S = Skin flushed
A = Agitation
L = Low-grade fever
T = Thirst
"CATS" of
"HYPOCALCEMIA"
C - Convulsions
A- Arrhythmias
T - Tetany
S - Spasms and stridor
To remember which blood
types are compatible, visualize the letter “O” as an orb representing the
universe, because type O blood is the universal donor blood. Patients with any
blood type can receive it. But O also means “odd man out”: Patients with type O
blood can receive only type O blood. Think BEEP
to remember the signs of minor bleeding:
B: Bleeding gums
E: Ecchymoses (bruises)
E: Epistaxis (nosebleed)
P: Petechiae (tiny purplish spots)
Hypo/Hyperplasia
Having difficulty
distinguishing hypoplasia from hyperplasia? When you see plasia in any word,
think of "plastic." Plastic, in turn, means forming or developing. As
for hypo and hyper, that’s the easy part. Hypo means under, or below normal.
Hyper means excessive, or above normal. Thus, hypoplasia means
underdevelopment, and hyperplasia means overdevelopment.
A stand-up comedian who gets no laughs might say his audience has humoral
immunity. But humor is the Latin word for “liquid,” and humoral immunity comes
from elements in the blood — specifically, antibodies. Contrast this with
cellular immunity, which comes about through the actions of T cells.
"FARM" for serum
sickness: each letter stands for a key sign or symptom of serum sickness.
F: Fever
A: Arthralgias
R: Rash
M: Malaise
To remember the four
causes of cell injury, think of how the injury tipped (or TIPD) the scale of homeostasis:
T: Toxin or other lethal (cytotoxic) substance
I: Infection
P: Physical insult or injury
D: Deficit, or lack of water, oxygen, or nutrients.
When asking assessment questions, remember the American Cancer Society’s mnemonic
device CAUTION:
C: Change in bowel or bladder habits
A: A sore that doesn’t heal
U: Unusual bleeding or discharge
T: Thickening or lump
I: Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
O: Obvious changes in a wart or mole
N: Nagging cough or hoarseness.
Use the ABCD rule to assess a
mole’s malignant potential:
A: Asymmetry--Is the mole irregular in shape?
B: Border--Is the border irregular, notched, or poorly defined?
C: Color--Does the color vary (for example, between shades of brown, red,
white, blue, or black)?
D: Diameter--Is the diameter more than 6 mm?
Listening Heart Sound
APE TO MAN
Atrial, Pulmonic, Erb's point, Tricuspid, Mitral
Side effects of steroids.
The 5 S's.
Sick- easier to get sick
Sad-causes depression
Sex-increases libido
Salt-retains more and causes weight gain
Sugar-raises blood sugar
5F's... Cholecystectomy
female
fair
fat
forty
fertile
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