Nursing Mnemonics Database

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

The 3 C’s

Choking

Coughing

Cyanosis

FINES

Feeding difficulty

Inspiratory Stridor

Nares Flares

Expiratory Grunting

Sternal Retractions

CLEFT LIP

Choking

Lie on back

Evaluate Airway

Feed Slowly

Teaching

Larger nipple opening

Increased incidence in males

Prevent crust formation and aspiration

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

Two areolas

One  vagina

Two umbilical arteries, one umbilical vein

ACHES

Abdominal Pain

Chest Pain

Headache

Eye Problems

Severe Leg Pain

NNN

Non-reactive

Non- Stress test is

Not good

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

HELLP

Hemolysis

Elevated

Liver function tests

Low

Platelet count

ALONE

Amniocentesis

L/S Ratio

Oxytocin Test

Non-Stress Test

Estriol Level

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.

REEDA

Redness

Edema

Ecchymosis

Discharge, Drainage

Approximation

The 4 T’s

Tetralogy of Fallot

Truncus Arteriosus

Transposition of the Great Vessels

Tricuspid Atresia

DIG FAST

Distractibility

Indiscretion

Grandiosity

Flight of Ideas

Activity Increase

Sleep Deficit

Talkative

SIG

Sleep Disturbances

Interest Decreased

Guilty Feelings

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

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

The 5 D’s

Denial

Dependency

Demanding

Destructive

Domineering

BAD

Brain Damage

Alcoholic Hallucinations

Death

Check the vowels: AEIOU

Acid-Base Problems

Electrolyte Problems

Intoxications

Overload of fluids

Uremic Symptoms

TRAUMATIC

Tissue Perfusion Problems

Respiratory Problems

Anxiety

Unstable Clotting Factors

Malnutrition

Altered Body Image

Thromboembolism- fat embolism

Infection

Coping Problems

ABCDEFGHI

Airway

Breathing

Circulation

Disability

Examine

Fahrenheit

Get Vitals

Head to Toe Assessment

Intervention

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

The 6 T’s:
Tachycardia
Tachypnea
Tremors
Toxic look
Tiredness
Temperature (fever)

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

Prostate Problems are no… FUN

Frequency

Urgency

Nocturia

POOPER  SCOOP

(Promotion)

Position

Output

Offer Fluids

Privacy

Exercise

Report Results

(Evaluation)

Size (Amount)

Consistency

Occult Blood

Odor

Peristalsis

PERRLA

Pupils

Equally

Round and

Reactive to

Light and

Accommodate

OPQRST

Onset

Provoke or palliative

Quality or character

Region or radiation

Signs, severity, symptoms

Time of onset, duration and intensity

ACCESS

Alcohol Use

Corticosteroid Use

Calcium low

Estrogen low

Smoking

Sedentary lifestyle

ACCESS leads to OSTEOPOROSIS

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?

MONATAS

Morphine

Oxygen

Nitrates (Nitroglycerin)

Aspirin (ASA)

Thrombolytics

Anticoagulants

Stool Softeners

MONA

Morphine sulfate

Oxygen

Nitroglycerin

ASA (aspirin)

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

ANT

Anemia

Neutropenia

Thrombocytopenia

Right sided:

HEAD

Hepatomegaly

Edema (Bipedal)

Ascites

Distended Neck Vein

Left Sided:

CHOP

Cough

Hemoptysis

Orthopnea

Pulmonary Congestion (crackles/rales)

HIPER

Heat

Indurations (hardening)

Pain

Edema

Redness

RAT BED

Early Hypoxia:

Restlessness

Anxiety

Tachycardia  / Tachypnea

Late Hypoxia:

Bradycardia

Extreme Restlessness

Dyspnea

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

TIRED

Tachycardia

Irritability

Restless

Excessive Hunger

Diaphoresis / Depression

The 4 C’s

Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary Rheumatic Fever

Congestive Heart Failure

Cerebral Vascular Accident

Hyper – hot/dry = sugar high

Hypo- cold/clammy = needs candy

APE To Man

Aortic

Pulmonic

Erbs points

Tricuspid

Mitral

BROW

Barley

Rye

Oats

Wheat

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

The 6 P’s

Pulmonary Bronchial Constriction

Possible Foreign Body

Pulmonary Embolus (PE)

Pneumothorax

Pump Failure

Pneumonia

BRAT

Banana

Rice

Apple

Toast

Oh Oh Oh To Touch And Feel Very Good Velvet AH!

Olfactory

Optic

Oculomotor

Trochlear

Trigeminal

Abducens

Facial

Vestibulocochlear

Glossopharyngeal

Vagus

Accessory

Hypoglossal

Please Read His Text

Peripheral edema

Raised JVP

Hepatomegaly

Tricuspid incompetence

The 5 P’s

Pain

Paresthesia

Paralysis

Pulse

Pallor (Paleness)

SLUD

Salivation

Lacrimation

Urination

Defecation

UNLOAD FAST

U sit Upright

Nitro

Lasix

Oxygen

Aminophylline

Digoxin

Fluids – decrease

Afterload – decrease

Sodium – decrease

Tests: dig level, ABG, K+

Toilet Paper My A**

Tricuspid

Pulmonic

Mitrial

Aortic

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

RANDI

Razor Electric/Blades

Aspirin

Needles- small gauge

Decrease needle sticks

Injury (Protect from)

ASTHMA

Adrenergic (Albuterol)

Steroids

Theophylline

Hydration (IV)

Mask (Oxygen)

Antibiotics

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)

ROME

Respiratory

Opposite

Metabolic

Equal

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

The 3 Ss

Sugar (Glucocorticoids)

Salt (Mineralcorticoids)

Sex (Androgens)

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

6 S’s

Sugar – hyperglycemia

Soggy Bones – causes osteoporosis

Sick – decreased immunity

Sad – depression

Salt – water and salt retention (hypertension)

Sex – decreased libido

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

RICE

Rest

Ice

Compression

Elevation

AAPIE (An Apple PIE)

Assessment

Analysis

Planning

Implementation

Evaluation

ADPIE (A Delicious PIE)

Assessment

Diagnosis

Planning

Implementation

Evaluation

SCUM

Shopping

Cooking and Cleaning

Using telephone or transportation

Managing money and medications

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

COAL

Cane

Opposite

Affected

Leg

Wandering Wilma Always Late

Walker

With

Affected

Leg

MR DICE RUNS

Muscular

Respiratory

Digestive

Integumentary

Circulatory

Endocrine

Reproductive

Urinary

Nervous

Skeletal

BATTED

Bathing

Ambulation

Toileting

Transfers

Eating

Dressing

SAMS

Slurred Speech

Altered Central Nervous System

Muscle Twitching

Seizures

Drugs to LEAN on

Lidocaine

Epinephrine

Atropine Sulfate

Narcan

TDCI (These Drugs Can Interact)

Theophylline

Dilantin

Coumadin

Ilosone (Erythromycin)

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

IDEA

Isoproterenol

Dopamine

Epinephrine

Atropine Sulfate

Beta 1: heart

Beta 2: lungs

You have one heart and two lungs

Alkalosis has a K, therefore it is Kicking the pH UP!

Acidosis has a D, therefore it is dropping the pH DOWN!

PISO

Potassium

Inside the cell

Sodium

Outside the cell

SALT LOSS

Stupor/coma

Anorexia, N&V

Lethargy

Tendon Reflexes decreased

Limp muscles (weakness)

Orthostatic hypotension

Seizures/headache

Stomach cramping

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)

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

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

6 L’s
Lethargy

Leg cramps

Limp muscles

Low, shallow respirations

Lethal cardiac dysrythmias

Lots of urine (polyuria)

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!

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!