Mnemonics, Safety & Abbreviations
68 mnemonics · 5 clinical pitfalls · 33 banned abbreviations
AVPU
AVPU
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AVPU — AVPU
Rapid assessment of level of consciousness. Work from best (A) to worst (U).
SAMPLE
SAMPLE History
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SAMPLE — SAMPLE History
Obtain key elements of patient history during secondary survey.
DCAP-BTLS
DCAP-BTLS
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DCAP-BTLS — DCAP-BTLS
Remember soft tissue injuries to assess after trauma.
CAGE
CAGE Questionnaire
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CAGE — CAGE Questionnaire
Two 'yes' responses indicate possible alcoholism; 'yes' to Eye-opener alone is highly suggestive of dependence.
ABCDEFGHI
ABCDEFGHI Trauma Assessment
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ABCDEFGHI — ABCDEFGHI Trauma Assessment
Systematic approach to trauma patient from primary to secondary survey.
CAUTION
CAUTION – Cancer Warning Signs
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CAUTION — CAUTION – Cancer Warning Signs
Recognize early warning signs of cancer; does not confirm cancer but warrants investigation.
BALD CHASM
BALD CHASM Family History
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BALD CHASM — BALD CHASM Family History
Recall diseases to inquire about in family history.
LMNOP
LMNOP Breast Assessment
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LMNOP — LMNOP Breast Assessment
Systematic breast assessment for masses and abnormalities.
OPQRSTU
OPQRSTU Pain Assessment
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OPQRSTU — OPQRSTU Pain Assessment
Comprehensive pain assessment tool.
CREAM
CREAM – Aortic Regurgitation Causes
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CREAM — CREAM – Aortic Regurgitation Causes
Recall common causes of aortic regurgitation.
SAD
SAD – Aortic Stenosis Symptoms
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SAD — SAD – Aortic Stenosis Symptoms
Classic triad of symptoms in aortic stenosis.
ABC'S
ABC'S – Aortic Arch Branches
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ABC'S — ABC'S – Aortic Arch Branches
Remember branches of the aortic arch.
TPMA
Toilet Paper My Ass – Heart Valves (Right to Left)
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TPMA — Toilet Paper My Ass – Heart Valves (Right to Left)
Order of heart valves from right to left side.
ABCDE
ABCDE – Atrial Arrhythmia Treatment
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ABCDE — ABCDE – Atrial Arrhythmia Treatment
Management options for atrial arrhythmias.
PIRATES
PIRATES – Atrial Fibrillation Causes
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PIRATES — PIRATES – Atrial Fibrillation Causes
Recall causes of atrial fibrillation.
3 D's
Beck's Triad (3 D's) – Cardiac Tamponade
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3 D's — Beck's Triad (3 D's) – Cardiac Tamponade
Classic physical exam findings in cardiac tamponade.
LMNOP
LMNOP – CHF Treatment
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LMNOP — LMNOP – CHF Treatment
Acute management of congestive heart failure.
FAILURE
FAILURE – CHF Exacerbation Causes
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FAILURE — FAILURE – CHF Exacerbation Causes
Identify triggers for heart failure exacerbation.
DARTH VADER
Darth Vader – MI Complications
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DARTH VADER — Darth Vader – MI Complications
Remember potential complications after myocardial infarction.
RAMP
RAMP – Exercise ECG Contraindications
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RAMP — RAMP – Exercise ECG Contraindications
Contraindications to exercise stress testing.
FROM JANE
FROM JANE – Endocarditis Signs
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FROM JANE — FROM JANE – Endocarditis Signs
Recognize clinical manifestations of infective endocarditis.
Heart Block Poem
Heart Block Poem
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Heart Block Poem — Heart Block Poem
Identify heart blocks on ECG.
INFARCTIONS
INFARCTIONS – MI Treatment
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INFARCTIONS — INFARCTIONS – MI Treatment
Comprehensive management of acute myocardial infarction.
PATCH MED
PATCH MED – PEA Causes
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PATCH MED — PATCH MED – PEA Causes
Recall reversible causes of pulseless electrical activity.
ELEVATION
ELEVATION – ST Elevation Causes on ECG
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ELEVATION — ELEVATION – ST Elevation Causes on ECG
Differential diagnosis for ST elevation on ECG.
AW HEAD
AW HEAD – Right-Sided Heart Failure Manifestations
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AW HEAD — AW HEAD – Right-Sided Heart Failure Manifestations
Recognize signs of right ventricular failure.
DO CHAP
DO CHAP – Left-Sided Heart Failure Manifestations
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DO CHAP — DO CHAP – Left-Sided Heart Failure Manifestations
Recognize signs of left ventricular failure and pulmonary congestion.
DAD BOND CLASH
DAD BOND CLASH – Heart Failure Management
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DAD BOND CLASH — DAD BOND CLASH – Heart Failure Management
Comprehensive medical management of heart failure.
5 C's
5 C's – Hypertension Complications
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5 C's — 5 C's – Hypertension Complications
Remember end-organ damage from uncontrolled hypertension.
MONA TASS
MONA TASS – Immediate MI Treatment
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MONA TASS — MONA TASS – Immediate MI Treatment
Immediate interventions for MI (order not prioritized).
BEE CAB SCORE
BEE CAB SCORE – MI Nursing Management
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BEE CAB SCORE — BEE CAB SCORE – MI Nursing Management
Nursing care plan for patient with myocardial infarction.
SAMS
SAMS – Lidocaine Toxicity
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SAMS — SAMS – Lidocaine Toxicity
Recognize signs of lidocaine toxicity (level >5 mcg/mL).
TRAMP
TRAMP – Medication Administration Checklist
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TRAMP — TRAMP – Medication Administration Checklist
Five rights of medication administration (mnemonic variation).
SEA CASH
SEA CASH – Oral Contraceptive Serious Complications
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SEA CASH — SEA CASH – Oral Contraceptive Serious Complications
Signs that may indicate serious complications from oral birth control pills requiring medical attention.
LEAN
LEAN – Emergency Drugs
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LEAN — LEAN – Emergency Drugs
Common emergency drugs in hospital settings.
IDEA
IDEA – Drugs for Bradycardia & Hypotension
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IDEA — IDEA – Drugs for Bradycardia & Hypotension
Medications to treat symptomatic bradycardia and hypotension.
CHIC
CHIC – Thiazide Indications
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CHIC — CHIC – Thiazide Indications
Recall conditions where thiazide diuretics are indicated.
ALBM
ALBM – Parkinson's Medications
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ALBM — ALBM – Parkinson's Medications
Common drug classes for Parkinson's disease.
SLAP
SLAP – Ventricular Arrhythmia Drugs
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SLAP — SLAP – Ventricular Arrhythmia Drugs
Antiarrhythmic medications for ventricular arrhythmias.
HELLP
HELLP Syndrome
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HELLP — HELLP Syndrome
Life-threatening complication of pre-eclampsia; only treatment is delivery.
BUBBLE-HE
BUBBLE-HE – Postpartum Assessment
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BUBBLE-HE — BUBBLE-HE – Postpartum Assessment
Comprehensive postpartum maternal assessment.
NNN
NNN – Fetal Non-Stress Test Interpretation
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NNN — NNN – Fetal Non-Stress Test Interpretation
Interpretation of nonstress test: reactive is normal, nonreactive is concerning.
APGAR
APGAR Score
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APGAR — APGAR Score
Rapid assessment of newborn at 1 and 5 minutes after birth.
ALONE
ALONE – Fetal Wellbeing Tests
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ALONE — ALONE – Fetal Wellbeing Tests
Assess fetal wellbeing antepartum.
REEDA
REEDA – Episiotomy Healing
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REEDA — REEDA – Episiotomy Healing
Evaluate healing of episiotomy or vaginal tear.
VEAL CHOP
VEAL CHOP – Fetal Heart Rate Decelerations
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VEAL CHOP — VEAL CHOP – Fetal Heart Rate Decelerations
Interpret fetal heart rate patterns on monitoring.
PRE
PRE – Preeclampsia Classic Triad
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PRE — PRE – Preeclampsia Classic Triad
Classic signs of preeclampsia after 20 weeks.
MS MAID
MS MAID – Anesthesia Machine/Room Check
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MS MAID — MS MAID – Anesthesia Machine/Room Check
Pre-anesthesia equipment checklist.
DOPE
DOPE – Endotracheal Intubation Complications
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DOPE — DOPE – Endotracheal Intubation Complications
Troubleshooting poor bilateral breath sounds after intubation.
MALES
MALES – General Anesthesia Equipment
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MALES — MALES – General Anesthesia Equipment
Equipment check before inducing general anesthesia.
SPACE DIGS
SPACE DIGS – Major Depression Episode Characteristics
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SPACE DIGS — SPACE DIGS – Major Depression Episode Characteristics
Recall major depressive episode symptoms.
SIG E CAPS
SIG E CAPS – DSM-5 Criteria for Major Depressive Disorder
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SIG E CAPS — SIG E CAPS – DSM-5 Criteria for Major Depressive Disorder
Diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder (DSM-5).
DABGA
Kubler-Ross Stages of Dying
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DABGA — Kubler-Ross Stages of Dying
Stages of grief and dying process (may not occur linearly).
HERO
HERO – Middle Adolescence Characteristics (14-17 years)
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HERO — HERO – Middle Adolescence Characteristics (14-17 years)
Typical developmental characteristics of middle adolescence.
CHAP
CHAP – Narcolepsy Symptoms
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CHAP — CHAP – Narcolepsy Symptoms
Classic tetrad of narcolepsy symptoms; often young male presentation ('chap').
SAD PERSONS
SAD PERSONS – Suicide Risk Screening
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SAD PERSONS — SAD PERSONS – Suicide Risk Screening
Assess suicide risk; higher score indicates greater risk.
PLANE
PLANE – Causes of Impotence
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PLANE — PLANE – Causes of Impotence
Recall etiologies of erectile dysfunction.
KNIVES
KNIVES – Diabetes Complications
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KNIVES — KNIVES – Diabetes Complications
Remember long-term complications of diabetes mellitus.
O TOM CAT
O TOM CAT – Cavernous Sinus Contents
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O TOM CAT — O TOM CAT – Cavernous Sinus Contents
Structures passing through cavernous sinus.
LHS
LHS – Celiac Trunk Branches
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LHS — LHS – Celiac Trunk Branches
Branches of the celiac trunk (coeliac trunk).
I Like To Rise So High
I Like To Rise So High – Tributaries of Inferior Vena Cava
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I Like To Rise So High — I Like To Rise So High – Tributaries of Inferior Vena Cava
Recall tributaries that drain into the inferior vena cava.
DATES
DATES – Posterior Mediastinum Contents
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DATES — DATES – Posterior Mediastinum Contents
Structures in the posterior mediastinum.
WANT My Hot Dog
WANT My Hot Dog – Placenta-Crossing Substances
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WANT My Hot Dog — WANT My Hot Dog – Placenta-Crossing Substances
Remember substances that cross the placental barrier.
STEVE
STEVE – Male Reproductive Path
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STEVE — STEVE – Male Reproductive Path
Track of sperm from production to ejaculation.
FLAG TOP
FLAG TOP – Anterior Pituitary Hormones
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FLAG TOP — FLAG TOP – Anterior Pituitary Hormones
Recall hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis).
PRICE
PRICE – Fracture Treatment
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PRICE — PRICE – Fracture Treatment
Initial management of fractures and soft tissue injuries.
STING
STING – Hyperthyroidism Symptoms
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STING — STING – Hyperthyroidism Symptoms
Recall clinical manifestations of hyperthyroidism.
DIG FAST
DIG FAST – Mania Symptoms (Bipolar Disorder)
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DIG FAST — DIG FAST – Mania Symptoms (Bipolar Disorder)
Recall symptoms of a manic episode.