Mnemonics in Nursing

Nursing Care for Sprains and Strains (RICE)

R- Rest

I - Ice

C - Compression

E- Elevation

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Care of Client in Traction (TRACTION)

T- Temperature (Extremity, Infection)

R - Ropes hang freely

A - Alignment

C - Circulation Check (5 P's)

T- Type & Location of fracture

I - Increase fluide intake

O - Overhead trapeze

N - No weights on bed or floor

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Steps in the Nursing Process

ADPIE (A Delicious PIE)

A-ssessment

D- iagnosis

P-lanning

I-mplementation

E-valuaton

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Acid-Base (ROME)

R-espiratory

O-pposite

M-etabolic

E-qual

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CANCER'S Early Warning Signs

CAUTION UP

C-hange in bowel or bladder

A- lesion that does not heal

U-nusual bleeding or discharge

T-hickening or lump in breast or elsewhere

I-ndigestion or difficulty swallowing

O-bvious changes in wart or mole

N-agging cough or persisten hoarseness

U-nexplained weight loss

P-ernicious Anemia

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CANCER Interventions

C-omfort

A-ltered Body Image

N-utrition

C-hemotherapy

E-valuate response to meds

R-espite for caretakers

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Hypoglycemia (TIRED)

- an abnormal decrease of blood in the sugar

T-achycardia

I-rritability

R-estless

E-xcessive Hunger

D-iaphoresis/ Depression

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Adrenal Gland Hormones (SSS)

S-ugar (Glucocorticoids)

S-alt (Mineralcorticoids)

S-ex (Androgens)

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Pulmonary Edema (MAD DOG)

M-Morphine

A-Aminophylline

D- Digitalis

D-Diuretics (Lasix)

O- Oxygen

G- ases (Blood Gases ABG's)

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5 P's of Circulatory Checks

P-Pain

P-Paresthesia

P-Paralysis

P-Pulse

P-Pallor (Paleness)

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Hypertension Nursing Care (DIURETIC)

D-aily Weight

I- ntake and Output (I & O)

U- rine Output

R-esponse of BP

E-lectrolytes

T-ake Pulses

I-schemic Episodes (TIA)

C-omplications: 4C's

Evalution of Episiotomy Healing (REEDA)

R- Redness

E- Edema

E - Ecchymosis

D - Discharge, Drainage

A - Approximation

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Evalution of Episiotomy Healing (REEDA)

R- Redness

E- Edema

E - Ecchymosis

D - Discharge, Drainage

A - Approximation

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Post-Partum Assessment (BUBBLE)

B-reasts

U-terus

B-owels

B-ladder

L-ochia

E-pisiotomy/lateration/C-section incision

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Tracheal Esophageal Fistula (3 C's)

C- Choking

C- Coughing

C - Cyanosis

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Cleft Lip - Post Op Care (CLEFT LIP)

C-hoking

L-ie on back

E-valuate Airway

F-eed Slowly

T-eaching

L-arger nipple opening

I-ncidence incerase in males

P-revent crust formation and aspiration

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Situations requiring Crisis Situation: RAPE

R- Ruthless

A- Abusive

P- Personal

E- Experience

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Warning Signs of a Child Abuse/ Neglect: CHILD ABUSE

C-hild's excessive knowledge on sex & abusive words

H-air growth in various lengths

I-nconsistent stories from the child & parent/s

L-ow self-esteem

D-epression

A-pathy, no emotion

B-ruised

U-nusual injuries

S-erious injuries

E-vidence of old injuries not reported

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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

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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)

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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)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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

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PERRLA

Pupils Equally Round and Reactive to Light and Accomodation

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Learning the Systems of the Body?

MR DICE RUNS

M= Muscle

R= Respiratory

D=Digestive

I= Integumentary

C= Circulatory

E= Endocrine

R= Reproductive

U= Urinary

N= Nervous

S= Skeletal

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Trouble figuring out which eye is which?

OS is left eye

OD is the right eye

You can remember which one is the right eye (OD), because you can make the D into an R - You just have to draw to stick legs on the bottom of the D. Write it down on paper, you'll see what I mean (it's hard to show you when all I can do is type)

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S/S of Hyponatremia

S tupor/coma

A norexia, N&V

L ethargy

T endon reflexes decreased

L imp muscles (weakness)

O rthostatic hypotension

S eizures/headache

S tomach cramping

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Immediate treatment of MI, think MONA:

M Morphine sulfate

O Oxygen

N Nitroglycerin

A ASA

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Treatment of CHF, think UNLOAD FAST:

U sit Upright

N Nitro

L Lasix

O Oxygen

A Aminophylline

D Digoxin

F Fluids- decrease

A Afterload - decrease

S Sodium - decrease

T Tests: dig level, ABG, K+

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Assistive devices -- Canes:

C Cane

O Opposite

A Affected

L Leg

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Signs of a Cholinergic Crisis, think SLUD:

S Salivation

L Lacrimation

U Urination

D Defication

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Memory Trick:Need to remember which kind of beta blocker has which action?

B1 Blocks the heart (you have only one heart)

B2 Blocks the lungs (you have two lungs)

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fetal accelerations and decelerations!!!

Just remember VEAL CHOP

Variable Cord compression

Early Head compression

Accelerations OK

Late Placental insufficiency

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Heart sounds:

S3= Heart fail-ure (3 syllables)

S4=Hy-per-ten-sion (4 syllables)

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effects of anticholinergics:

Can't see

Can't pee

Can't spit

Can't --defecate

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Nine-point Postpartum Assessment...

BUBBLEHER

B- Breasts

U- Uterus

B- Bladder

B- Bowel function

L- Lochia

E- Episiotomy

H- Homan's sign

E- Emotional Status

R- Respiratory System

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The 5 P's of circulation loss in a limb.

Pain, Pallor, Pulselessness, Parasthesia, Poikilothermia

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side effects & adverse reactions to immunizations:

F- Fever

I- Itching

S- Stiffness

H- Headache

E- Edema

R- Redness

F- Fussy

L- Localized Tenderness

A- Appetite decrease

G- General Aches Pains

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HYPERNATREMIA

"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

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"CATS" of "HYPOCALCEMIA"

C - Convulsions

A- Arrhythmias

T - Tetany

S - Spasms and stridor

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Remember that here in the USA you D drive on the right side of the road.

O= optical

A= auditory

AD - right ear

AS - left ear

AU - both ears

OD - right eye

OS - left eye

OU - both eyes

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Mneumonic device for remembering questions to ask emergency room admits:

Car? (circumstances of event)

Please (precipitating events)

Listen (location of event)

To This: (Time of event)

Watch (when symptoms appeared)

Underage (unconsciousness after injury?)

Alcoholics (arrival time in ER)

Heading (hospital admits previously?)

Home (previous history/health status)

And (allergies)

Maybe (medications)

Flattening (fears for safety)

My (meal, time of last)

Poodle (period, time of last menstrual)

Dog (primary doctor, name and location of)

Tonight (tetanus, date of last immunization)

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Everyone knows to make the ABCD (airway breathing circulation and neurologic disability) assessment first. Then as soon as possible, further assessment/intervention is done, which includes:

His (health history)

Head (head to toe assessment)

Is (insert monitoring devices -- caths, ECG, arterial lines)

So (splints for fractures)

Wide (wound care)

Olivia (other interventions)

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The pathophysiology of ARDS:

Assault on the respiratory system

Respiratory distress

Decreased lung compliance

Severe respiratory failure

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Diagnostic criteria of ARDS

Acute onset

Ratio (PaCO2/FiO2) <200 span="">

Diffuse infiltration

Swan-Ganz wedge pressure (PAWP) <18mm hg="" span="">

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Complications of thrombolytic therapy: The 3 B's

Bleeding

Brady's (dysrhythmias)

Bloodclots (d/t excessive thrombin)

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Complications of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB): The 3 H's

Hypothermia (to decrease O2 consumption)...Effects SVR (vasoconstriction) and causes myocardial depression (decreases contractility)

Hemodilution (to improve macrocirculation)...fluid shifting (third-spacing), e-lyte imbalances (K+, Mg+ & Ca++ often need replacing!)

Heparinzation (to prevent clots in circuit)...monitor aPTT.

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Signs and symptoms of cardiac tamponade (Beck's Triad): The Three D's

Distant heart sounds

Distended jugular veins

Decreased pulse pressure (think of a narrow pulse pressure as opposed to a wide one)

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Atrial Arrhythmias: ABCDE

Adenosine/amiodorone or anticoagulate (if Afib/Flutter has been present >48h)

Beta blockers

Calcium channel blockers

Digoxin

Electrocardiovert (if <48h span="">

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For ventricular arrhythmias: AL

Amiodorone

Lidocaine

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NSAID Drugs

N - Naproxen

S - Salicylates

A - Advil

I - Ibuprofen

D - Diclofenac

S - Sulinclac

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8 A's for Hepatotoxic Drugs (Check SGPT/SGOT)

Antituberculosis

Anticonvulsant

S - sodium Luminal

G - gabapentin

P - phenytoin

T - tegretol

Anticancer

Aspirin

Alcohol

Antifamily (contraceptice pills)

Acetaminophen

Aflatoxins

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Parkinson's Medications: "Ali Loves Boxing Matches"

A-Amantadine

L- Levodopa

B- Bromocriptine

M-MAO inhibitors

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The 4 H's that invalidate a neuro exam:

Hypotension

Hpoxia

Hypoglycemia

Hypothermia*

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Pinpoint pupils: Drugs, drops & nearly dead

Drugs: opiates

Drops: meds for glaucoma

Nearly dead: damage in the pons area of the brainstem

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Dilated pupils: Fear, Fits & Fast Living

Fear: panic, extreme anxiety

Fits: seizures

Fast Living: cocaine, crack, phencyclidine (PCP)

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ADLs (Activity of Daily Living)

BATTED

B-athing

A-mbulation

T-oileting

T-ransfers

E-ating

D-ressing

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IADLS (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living) SCUM

S-hopping

C-ooking and Cleaning

U-sing telephone or transportaiton

M-anaging money and medications

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Bleeding Precautions (RANDI)

R- Razor Electric/ Blades

A- Aspirin

N- No needles (esp. in small gauge)

D- Do decrease in needle sticks)

I - Injury (Protect from)

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Canes and Walkers (COAL)

C- Cane

O- Opposite

A- Affected

L- Leg

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Canes and Walkers (WWAL)

Wandering Wilma's Always Late

W- Walker

W- With

A- Affected

L - Leg

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Common Causes of Transient Incontinence (DIAPPERS)

D-elirium

I-nfection

A-trophic Urethra

P-harmaceuticals

P-sychologic

E-xcess Urine Output

R-estricted Mobility

S-tool Impaction

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Promotion of Normal Elimination (POOPER SCOOP)

P-osition

O-utput

O-ffer Fluids

P-rivacy

E-xercise

R-eport Results

S-ize (Amount)

C-onsistency

O-ccult Blood

O-dor

P-eristalsis

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Emergency Trauma Assessment

(ABCDEFGHI)

A-irway

B-reathing

C-irculation

D-isability

E-xamine

F-ahrenheit

G-et Vitals

H-ead to Toe Assessment

I-ntervention

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Trauma Surgery (AMPLE)

after initial assessment

A-llergies

M-edications

P-ast Medical History

L-ast Meal

E-vents Surrounding Injury

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Trauma Surgery (AMPLE)

after initial assessment

A-llergies

M-edications

P-ast Medical History

L-ast Meal

E-vents Surrounding Injury

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6 P's of Dyspnea

P- Pulmonary Bronchial Constriction

P- Possible Foreign Body

P- Pulmonary Embolus

P- Pneumothorax

P- Pump Failure

P- Pneumonia

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Lidocaine Toxicity (SAMS)

S-lurred Speech

A-ltered Central Nervous System

M-uscle Twitching

S-eizures

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TDCI (These Drugs Can Interact)

T - Theophyline

D - Dilantin

C - Coumadin

I - losone (Erythromycin)

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Serious Complications of Oral Birth Control Pills (ACHES)

A- Abdominal Pain

C - Chest Pain

H - Headache

E - Eye Problems

S - Severe Leg Pain

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Emergency Drugs to LEAN on

L- Lidocaine

E - Epinephrine

A- Atropine Sulfate

N - Narcan

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Drugs for Bradycardia & low BP (IDEA)

I - Isoproterenol

D - Dopamine

E - Epinephrine

A - Atropine Sulfate

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Cholinergic Crisis (SLUD)

S-alivation

L-acrimation

U-rination

D-efecation

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Depression Assessment (SIG)

S-leep Disturbances

I-nterest Decreased

G-uilty Feelings

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Energy Decreased (CAPS)

C-oncentration decreased

A-ppetite

P-sychomotor function decreased

S-uicidal Ideations

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5 A's to Alzheimer Diagnosis

A-mnesia

A-nomia

A-praxia

A-gnosia

A-phasia

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Major Symptoms of a Manic Attack (DIG FAST)

D- Distractibility

I - Indiscretion