Nursing Mnemonics: Everything Made EASY Part 1 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) "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: 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

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, thats 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 Use the ABCD rule to assess a moles 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? When asking assessment questions, remember the American Cancer Societys mnemonic device CAUTION: C: Change in bowel or bladder habits A: A sore that doesnt 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. 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.

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 R Respiratory O Opposite ph > PCO2 < Alkalosis ph < PCO2 > Acidosis M Metabolic E Equal ph> HCO3 > Alkalosis ph< HC03 < Acidosis

A ASA 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+ Assistive devices -- Canes: C Cane O Opposite A Affected L Leg Signs of a Cholinergic Crisis, think SLUD: S Salivation L Lacrimation U Urination D Defication Memory Trick:Need to remember

B2 Blocks the lungs (you have two lungs) CRAINIAL NERVES. im pretty sure most of you heard of these. Nerves Functions I Olfactory -Oh -Sensory -Some II Optic- Oh -Sensory -Say III Occulomotor -Oh -Motor -Mary IV Trochlear -To -Motor -Money V Trigeminal -Touch -Both -But VI Abducens -And -Motor -My VII Facial -Feel -Both -Brother VIII Acoustic (vestoblochlear) -A Sensory -Says IX Glosopharyngeal -Green -Both -Bad X Vagus -Veggie -Both -Business XI Spinal Accessory- Soon At -Motor Mary XII Hypoglosal -Harvest- Motor Money

Immediate tx of MI, think MONA: M Morphine sulfate O Oxygen N Nitroglycerin

which kind of beta blocker has which action? B1 Blocks the heart (you have only one heart)