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Ep29 Altered Mental Status (AEIOU TIPS)
AEIOU-TIPS
Many patients experience Altered Mental Status (AMS). There are many factors that can contribute to an alteration in a patients mental status and it’s important to know them. This mnemonic will help you keep those causes in mind so you can quickly assess. Remeber, as a nurse, our first job is to ASSESS, and this mnemonic provides you with a list of things to assess when your patient does have AMS.
Alcohol/drugs
Endocrine
Insulin
Overdose
Uremia
Trauma
Infection
Psychiatric
Shock

Ep85 Hypoxia (FINES)
FINES
Feeding difficulty
Inspiratory Stridor
Nares Flares
Expiratory Grunting
Sternal Retractions

Ep84 Cleft Lip Repair (CLEFT LIP)
CLEFT LIP
Choking
Lie on back
Evaluate Airway
Feed Slowly
Teaching
Larger nipple opening
Increased incidence in males
Prevent crust formation and aspiration

Ep83 Child Abuse (CHILD ABUSE)
CHILD ABUSE
Child’s excessive knowledge of sex and abusive words
Hair growth in various lengths
Inconsistent stories from the child and parent/s
Low self-esteem
Depression
Apathy, no emotion
Bruised
Unusual injuries
Serious injuries
Evidence of old injuries

Ep82 Umbilical cord
Two areolas
One vagina
Two umbilical arteries, one umbilical vein

Ep81 Oral Birth Control Pills (ACHES)
ACHES
Abdominal Pain
Chest Pain
Headache
Eye Problems
Severe Leg Pain

Ep79 Intra Uterine Device (PAINS)
PAINS
Period (menstrual: late, spotting, bleeding)
Abdominal pain, dyspareunia (painful intercourse)
Infection (abnormal vaginal discharge)
Not feeling well, fever or chills
String missing

Ep78 Pre-Eclampsia (HELLP)
HELLP
Hemolysis
Elevated
Liver function tests
Low
Platelet count

Ep77 Fetal Wellbeing (ALONE)
ALONE
Amniocentesis
L/S Ratio
Oxytocin Test
Non-Stress Test
Estriol Level

Fetal Acceleration (VEAL CHOP) OB Nursing
VEAL CHOP (OB Nursing Mnemonic)
Variable – Cord Compression
Early – Head Compression
Accelerations – Okay
Late – Placental Insufficiency
I have to be honest here . . . OB Nursing was NEVER an interest of mine even before nursing school. While I really enjoyed the rotation and feel fortunate to have seen several live births, it’s just not for me.
Because of this, it was always harder for me to feel motivated to study for OB so I ended up relying on mnemonics a bit to stay focused. VEAL CHOP is such a helpful mnemonic that will keep fetal accelerations and decelerations clear in your mind.
What we are trying to understand with this mnemonic is when to be concerned while monitoring the fetal heart rate. Watch the video above and download the sheet below to help you keep it straight.

Ep75 Episiotomy (REEDA)
REEDA
Redness
Edema
Ecchymosis
Discharge, Drainage
Approximation

Ep74 Cyanotic Defects (4 Ts)
The 4 T’s
Tetralogy of Fallot
Truncus Arteriosus
Transposition of the Great Vessels
Tricuspid Atresia

Ep73 Manic Attack (DIG FAST)
DIG FAST
Distractibility
Indiscretion
Grandiosity
Flight of Ideas
Activity Increase
Sleep Deficit
Talkative

Ep72 Depression (SIG)
SIG
Sleep Disturbances
Interest Decreased
Guilty Feelings

Ep71 Dementia (DEMENTIA)
DEMENTIA
Make sure they don’t have problems with:
Drug and alcohol
Eyes and ears
Metabolic and endocrine disorders
Emotional disorders
Neurologic disorders
Tumors and trauma
Infection
Arteriovascular disease

Ep70 Anorexia and Bulimia
ANOREXIA
Amenorrhea
No organic factors accounts for weight loss
Obviously thin but feels FAT
Refusal to maintain normal body weight
Epigastric discomfort is common
X-symptoms (peculiar symptoms)
Intense fears of gaining weight
Always thinking of food
BULIMIA
Binge eating
Under strict dieting
Lacks control/over-eating
Induced vomiting
Minimum of two binge eating episodes
Increase/Persistent concern of body size/shape
Abuse of diuretics and laxatives
WASHED
Weight loss of 15% of original body weight
Amenorrhea
Social withdrawal
History of high activity and achievement
Electrolyte Imbalance
Depression / Distorted Body Image

Ep69 Alcoholism (5 Ds, BAD)
The 5 D’s
Denial
Dependency
Demanding
Destructive
Domineering
BAD
Brain Damage
Alcoholic Hallucinations
Death

Ep68 Dialysis (AEIOU)
Check the vowels: AEIOU
Acid-Base Problems
Electrolyte Problems
Intoxications
Overload of fluids
Uremic Symptoms

Ep67 Trauma (TRAUMATIC)
TRAUMATIC
Tissue Perfusion Problems
Respiratory Problems
Anxiety
Unstable Clotting Factors
Malnutrition
Altered Body Image
Thromboembolism- fat embolism
Infection
Coping Problems

Ep66 Truama (ABCDEFGHI)
ABCDEFGHI
Airway
Breathing
Circulation
Disability
Examine
Fahrenheit
Get Vitals
Head to Toe Assessment
Intervention

Ep65 Transient Incontinence (DIAPERS)
DIAPPERS
Delirium
Infection
Atrophic Urethra- atrophy of the urethra
Pharmaceuticals- blood pressure medication, antidepressants, diuretics, sleeping pills
Psychologic
Excess Urine Output
Restricted Mobility
Stool Impaction

Ep64 Toxicity/Sepsis (6 Ts)
The 6 T’s:
Tachycardia
Tachypnea
Tremors
Toxic look
Tiredness
Temperature (fever)

Ep63 Pulmonary Edema (MAD DOG)
Morphine – causes vasodilation resulting in decreased BP
Aminophylline – relaxes airways to make breathing easier
Digitalis – improve heart function in pulmonary edema
Diuretics (Lasix) – pull excess fluid off
Oxygen – improve oxygenation
Gases (Blood Gases/ABGs) – assesses respiratory status

Ep61 Elimination (POOPER SCOOP)
POOPER SCOOP
(Promotion)
Position
Output
Offer Fluids
Privacy
Exercise
Report Results
(Evaluation)
Size (Amount)
Consistency
Occult Blood
Odor
Peristalsis

Ep60 Pupillary reaction (PERRLA)
PERRLA
Pupils
Equally
Round and
Reactive to
Light and
Accommodate

Ep59 Pain (OPQRST)
OPQRST
Onset
Provoke or palliative
Quality or character
Region or radiation
Signs, severity, symptoms
Time of onset, duration and intensity

Ep58 Osteoporosis (ACCESS)
ACCESS
Alcohol Use
Corticosteroid Use
Calcium low
Estrogen low
Smoking
Sedentary lifestyle
ACCESS leads to OSTEOPOROSIS

Ep57 Moles (ABCDs)
ABCD’s
Asymmetry- is the mole irregular in shape?
Border- is the border irregular, notched, or poorly defined?
Color- does the color vary (for example, between shades of brown, red, white, blue, or black)?
Diameter- is the diameter more than 6 mm?

Ep56 Myocardial Infarction (MONATAS)
MONATAS
Morphine
Oxygen
Nitrates (Nitroglycerin)
Aspirin (ASA)
Thrombolytics
Anticoagulants
Stool Softeners

Ep55 Myocardial Infarction (MONA)
MONA
Morphine sulfate
Oxygen
Nitroglycerin
ASA (aspirin)

Ep54 Coronary Arteries (CAMP, AC)
I have a RIGHT to CAMP if you LEFT off the AC
Right
Coronary
Artery
Marginal artery
Posterior intraventricular artery
Left
Anterior ventricular artery
Circumflex artery

Ep52 Heart Failure (HEAD, CHOP)
Right sided:
HEAD
Hepatomegaly
Edema (Bipedal)
Ascites
Distended Neck Vein
Left Sided:
CHOP
Cough
Hemoptysis
Orthopnea
Pulmonary Congestion (crackles/rales)

Ep51 Inflammation (HIPER)
HIPER
Heat
Indurations (hardening)
Pain
Edema
Redness

Ep50 Hypoxia (RAT BED)
RAT BED
Early Hypoxia:
Restlessness
Anxiety
Tachycardia / Tachypnea
Late Hypoxia:
Bradycardia
Extreme Restlessness
Dyspnea

NRSNG Isn’t Mine . . . It’s OURS!
So . . . I guess this episode is just about 8 minutes of a few thoughts on my mind. Mostly though, I just want you all to know how much you really mean to us!
NRSNG.com isn’t mine . . . it’s OURS. And you are a part of it. Thank you for being a part of the NRSNG family!
Check out ScrubCheats at ScrubCheats.com

Ep49 Hypoglycemia (TIRED)
TIRED
Tachycardia
Irritability
Restless
Excessive Hunger
Diaphoresis / Depression

Ep48 Hypertension (4 Cs)
The 4 C’s
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary Rheumatic Fever
Congestive Heart Failure
Cerebral Vascular Accident

Ep47 Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia
Hyper – hot/dry = sugar high
Hypo- cold/clammy = needs candy

Ep46 Heart Sounds (APE To Man)
APE To Man
Aortic
Pulmonic
Erbs points
Tricuspid
Mitral

Ep43 Epiglottitis (AIR RAID)
AIR RAID
Airway Closed
Increased Pulse
Restlessness
Retractions- occur when the muscles between the ribs pull inward
Anxiety Increased
Inspiratory Stridor- high-pitched breath sound resulting from turbulent airflow in the larynx
Drooling

Ep42 Dyspnea (6 Ps)
The 6 P’s
Pulmonary Bronchial Constriction
Possible Foreign Body
Pulmonary Embolus (PE)
Pneumothorax
Pump Failure
Pneumonia

Ep40 Cranial Nerve Mnemonic
Oh Oh Oh To Touch And Feel Very Good Velvet AH!
Olfactory
Optic
Oculomotor
Trochlear
Trigeminal
Abducens
Facial
Vestibulocochlear
Glossopharyngeal
Vagus
Accessory
Hypoglossal

Ep39 Cor Pulmonale (PRHT)
Please Read His Text
Peripheral edema
Raised JVP
Hepatomegaly
Tricuspid incompetence

Ep38 Circulatory Checks (5 Ps)
The 5 P’s
Pain
Paresthesia
Paralysis
Pulse
Pallor (Paleness)

Ep37 Cholinergics Crisis (SLUD)
SLUD
Salivation
Lacrimation
Urination
Defecation

Ep36 CHF (UNLOAD FAST)
UNLOAD FAST
U sit Upright
Nitro
Lasix
Oxygen
Aminophylline
Digoxin
Fluids – decrease
Afterload – decrease
Sodium – decrease
Tests: dig level, ABG, K+

Ep35 Cardiac Valves Blood Flow (Toilet Paper My A–)
Toilet Paper My A**
Tricuspid
Pulmonic
Mitrial
Aortic

Ep34 Cancer (CAUTION UP, CANCER)
CAUTION UP
Change in bowel or bladder
A lesion that does not heal
Unusual bleeding or discharge
Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere
Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
Obvious changes in wart or mole
Nagging cough or persistent hoarseness
Unexplained weight loss
Pernicious Anemia

Ep33 Bleeding Precautions (RANDI)
RANDI
Razor Electric/Blades
Aspirin
Needles- small gauge
Decrease needle sticks
Injury (Protect from)

Ep32 Asthma (ASTHMA)
ASTHMA
Adrenergic (Albuterol)
Steroids
Theophylline
Hydration (IV)
Mask (Oxygen)
Antibiotics

Ep31 Appendicitis (PAINS)
PAINS
Pain (RLQ) – pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen
Anorexia – loss of appetite
Increased temperature, WBC (15,000-20,000)
Nausea
Signs (McBurney’s, Psoas)

Ep30 Arterial Blood Gases (Rome)
ROME
Respiratory
Opposite
Metabolic
Equal
pH | pCO2 | HCO3 | ||
Metabolic acidosis | Low | Normal | Low | Equal |
Metabolic alkalosis | High | Normal | High | Equal |
Respiratory acidosis | Low | High | Normal | Opposite |
Respiratory alkalosis | High | Low | Normal | Opposite |

Ep28 Alzheimer (5 As)
The 5 A’s
Amnesia – loss of memories
Anomia – unable to recall names of everyday objects
Apraxia – unable to perform tasks of movement
Agnosia – inability to process sensory information
Aphasia – disruption with ability to communicate

Ep27 Adrenal Gland Hormones (3 Ss)
The 3 Ss
Sugar (Glucocorticoids)
Salt (Mineralcorticoids)
Sex (Androgens)

Ep26 Vitamins (ADEK)
Take your Birth Control with water. Vitamins B and C are water soluble.
The rest of the vitamins are fat soluble.
All dogs eat kibbles
Vitamins A, D, E, K

Ep25 Steroids (6 S’s)
6 S’s
Sugar – hyperglycemia
Soggy Bones – causes osteoporosis
Sick – decreased immunity
Sad – depression
Salt – water and salt retention (hypertension)
Sex – decreased libido

Ep24: Traction (TRACTION)
TRACTION
Temperature (Extremity, Infection)
Ropes hang freely
Alignment
Circulation Check (5 Ps)
Type & Location of fracture
Increase fluid intake
Overhead trapeze
No weights on bed or floor

Ep22 Steps in the Nursing Process (AAPIE)
AAPIE (An Apple PIE)
Assessment
Analysis
Planning
Implementation
Evaluation

Ep21: Steps in the Nursing Process (ADPIE)
ADPIE (A Delicious PIE)
Assessment
Diagnosis
Planning
Implementation
Evaluation

Ep20 IADLS (SCUM)
SCUM
Shopping
Cooking and Cleaning
Using telephone or transportation
Managing money and medications

Ep19: ECG Lead Placement (BEEP)
White – right
Clouds over grass (white over green)
Smoke over fire (black over red)
Chocolate on the stomach (brown)
BEEP
Bleeding gums
Epistaxis (nose bleeds)
Ecchymosis (bruising)
Petechiae

Ep18: Canes and Walkers (COAL, WWAL)
COAL
Cane
Opposite
Affected
Leg
Wandering Wilma Always Late
Walker
With
Affected
Leg

Ep17: Body Systems (MR DICE RUNS)
MR DICE RUNS
Muscular
Respiratory
Digestive
Integumentary
Circulatory
Endocrine
Reproductive
Urinary
Nervous
Skeletal

Ep16: ADLs (BATTED)
BATTED
Bathing
Ambulation
Toileting
Transfers
Eating
Dressing

Ep15: Lidocaine Toxicity (SAMS)
SAMS
Slurred Speech
Altered Central Nervous System
Muscle Twitching
Seizures

Ep14: Emergency drugs (LEAN)
Drugs to LEAN on
Lidocaine
Epinephrine
Atropine Sulfate
Narcan

Ep13 Drug Interactions (TDCI)
TDCI (These Drugs Can Interact)
Theophylline
Dilantin
Coumadin
Ilosone (Erythromycin)

Ep12 Cholinergic, Anticholinergic (SLUDGE)
Anticholinergics- side effects
Can’t see – burred vision
Can’t pee – urinary retention
Can’t spit – dry mouth
Can’t s*** – constipation
Cholinergic Crisis – Signs and symptoms
SLUDGE
Salivation
Lacrimation
Urination
Defecation
Gastric upset
Emesis

Ep11: Bradycardia (IDEA)
IDEA
Isoproterenol
Dopamine
Epinephrine
Atropine Sulfate

Ep10: Beta blockers (1 heart, 2 lungs)
Beta 1: heart
Beta 2: lungs
You have one heart and two lungs

Ep9: Acidosis Alkalosis and pH
Alkalosis has a K, therefore it is Kicking the pH UP!
Acidosis has a D, therefore it is dropping the pH DOWN!

Ep8: Electrolyte Location (PISO)
PISO
Potassium
Inside the cell
Sodium
Outside the cell

Ep7: Hyponatremia (SALT LOSS)
SALT LOSS
Stupor/coma
Anorexia, N&V
Lethargy
Tendon Reflexes decreased
Limp muscles (weakness)
Orthostatic hypotension
Seizures/headache
Stomach cramping

Ep5: Hypercalcemia/Hypocalcemia (CATS, Groans/Moans/Bones/Stones/Overtones)
CATS of hypocalcemia
Convulsions
Arrhythmias
Tetany
Spasms and stridor
Groans, Moans, Bones, Stones, Overtones
Groans – constipation
Moans – joint pain
Bones – loss of calcium from bones
Stones – kidney stones
Overtones – psychiatric overtones (confusion, depression)

Ep4: Hypernatremia (FRIED, SWINE, SALT, MODEL)
Hypernatremia Nursing Mnemonic
You are FRIED from learning about sodium
Flushed skin
Restlessness: irritability
Increased fluid retention and increased BP
Edema: peripheral and pitting
Decreased urinary output, dry mouth
SWINE
(bacon has high amounts of sodium)
Sleepy – lethargy (typically the very first sign!)
Weakness
Irritability
Neuromuscular excitability
Edema
SALT
Skin flushed
Agitation
Low grade fever
Thirst
MODEL
Medications / Meals
Osmotic diuretics
Diabetes insipidus
Excessive water loss
Low water intake

Ep3: Hyperkalemia (MACHINE, MURDER, AIRED)
Hyperkalemia Nursing Mnemonics
The hyperkalemia MACHINE
Medications – ACE Inhibitors, NSAIDS, potassium-sparing diuretics
Acidosis – Metabolic and respiratory
Cellular destruction – burns, traumatic injury, hemolysis
Hypoaldosteronism – Addison’s
Intake- excessive
Nephrons- renal failure
Excretion – Impaired
MURDER
Muscle weakness
Urine- oliguria, anuria
Respiratory distress
Decreased cardiac contractility
ECG changes
Reflexes- hyperreflexia, or areflexia (flaccid)
AIRED
Administer IV Calcium – to immediately decrease cardiac toxicity
Increase excretion – via both stool (kayexlate) and urine (diuretics)
Remove sources of potassium – from all sources, including enteral, pareteral, IV, and PO
Enhance potassium uptake into cells – insulin, glucose, sodium bicarb, beta-adrenergic antagonists
Dialysis – emergent response for patients with lethal hyperkalemia

Ep6: Hypokalemia (6 L’s)
6 L’s
Lethargy
Leg cramps
Limp muscles
Low, shallow respirations
Lethal cardiac dysrythmias
Lots of urine (polyuria)

Ep2: Blood Types (Labs Nursing Mnemonics)
Picture type O as a huge circle, like the universe, because they are the universal donor. They can give to everyone. However, also think of them as the “odd man out” because they can only receive type O as well. They are universally odd, able to give to all but only receive from themselves!

Ep1: Welcome to the Nursing Mnemonics Podcast
Welcome, welcome, welcome . . . what is up guys?
We are at it again, dropping another valuable podcast for you to enjoy.
This will be the home of the nursing mnemonics podcast with your host Kati Kleber RN CCRN.
Do us a favor . . . will you rate and share the show??
Happy nursing!