This is a list of mnemonics used in medicine and medical science, categorized and alphabetized. A mnemonic is any technique that assists the human memory with information retention or retrieval by making abstract or impersonal information more accessible and meaningful, and therefore easier to remember; many of them are acronyms or initialisms which reduce a lengthy set of terms to a single, easy-to-remember word or phrase.
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This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources. |
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Main article: List of anatomy mnemonics |
MS MAID:
DOPE:
MALES:
"Little Boys Prefer Toys":
"Ears, nose, hose, fingers, and toes"
"Digital PEN" – digits, penis, ear, nose
SPACE DIGS:
"SIG E CAPS":
"Death always brings great acceptance":
HERO:
CHAP:
Delta waves during Deepest sleep (stages 3 and 4, slow-wave)
dREaM during REM sleep
PLANE:
MED:
2 S's:
More detail with 2 more S's:
"The rhythm nearly proved contagious":
In increasing order:
"TIM HALL PVT. (Ltd.) always argue and never (get) tire":
†Note that this initialism uses single letters for each amino acid that are not the same as the standard single-letter codes commonly used in molecular biology to uniquely specify each amino acid; for example, though phenylalanine is represented here by the letter "P", it is formally represented by the letter "F" in most other contexts, and "P" is instead used to formally represent proline.
"Muscles LIVe fast":
"The fat (fat-soluble vitamins) cat lives in the ADEK (vitamins A, D, E, and K)."[3]
A FOLIC DROP:
ABCD:
"Viagra pills cause a major hardon tendency":
"'On The Hill, LIL' Transformers":
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Main article: list of cardiology mnemonics |
LMNOP:[4]
THE ATRIAL FIBS:[4]
Secret little TIP (about) blood clots:[4]
Signs/symptoms of PE (3)
PE is the most likely diagnosis (3)
Tachycardia >100bpm (1.5)
Iimmobilisation/surgery in the last 4 weeks (1.5)
Previous DVT/PE
Blood in sputum (haemoptysis) (1)
Active cancer (1)
Two tier score: PE likely > 4
PET-MAC[5]
Under 8, intubate.[6]
4 C's:[4]
PQRST(EKG waves):[4]
DOGASH:[4]
ITCHPAD[4]
Infarction
Tension pneumothorax
Cardiac tamponade
Hypovolemia/hypothermia/hypo-,hyperkalemia/hypomagnesmia/hypoxemia
Pulmonary embolism
Acidosis
Drug overdose
SOAP ME
Suction
Oxygen
Airway equipment
Positioning
Monitoring & medications
EtCO2 & other equipment[7]
Rapid sequence intubation medications (RSI) (CCRx)
Very calmly engage the respiratory system
Vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg[8]
Cisatracurium 0.2 mg/kg[8]
Etomidate 0.3 mg/kg[8]
Rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg-1.2 mg/kg[8]
Succinylcholine 1 mg/kg[8]
TV SPARC CUBE:[4]
Thirst
Vomitting
Sweating
Pulse weak
Anxious
Respirations shallow/rapid
Cool
Cyanotic
Unconscious
BP low
Eyes blank
RN CHAMPS (Alternatively: "MR. C.H. SNAP", or "NH CRAMPS"):
Respiratory
Neurogenic
Cardiogenic
Hemorrhagic
Anaphylactic
Metabolic
Psychogenic
Septic[9]
BATS:[4]
Berry aneurysm
Arteriovenous malformation/adult polycystic kidney disease
Trauma
Stroke
HEAD HEART VESSELS:[4]
CNS causes include HEAD:
Hypoxia/hypoglycemia
Epilepsy
Anxiety
Dysfunctional brain stem (basivertebral TIA)
Cardiac causes are HEART:
Heart attack
Embolism (PE)
Aortic obstruction (IHSS, AS or myxoma)
Rhythm disturbance, ventricular
Tachycardia
Vascular causes are VESSELS:
Vasovagal
Ectopic (reminds one of hypovolemia)
Situational
Subclavian steal
ENT (glossopharyngeal neuralgia)
Low systemic vascular resistance (Addison's, diabetic vascular neuropathy)
Sensitive carotid sinus
P-THORAX[10]
Pleuritic pain
Tracheal deviation
Hyperresonance
Onset sudden
Reduced breath sounds (and dyspnea)
Absent fremitus
X-ray shows collapse
Non-pharmacological analgesia.[11]
| Non-Pharmacological Analgesic Strategies | |
|---|---|
| Psychological Interventions | |
| T | Therapeutic Touch (e.g. hand-holding) |
| W | Warn about painful interventions |
| E | Explain what is, or is about to, happen |
| E | Eye contact |
| D | Defend (patient) dignity |
| Physical Interventions | |
| S | Stabilise fractures |
| A | Apply dressings to cover burns |
| S | Soft surface (avoid rigid spinal boards or stretchers) |
| H | Hypothermia avoidance |
Shock, shock, shock, everybody shock, little shock, big shock, momma shock, poppa shock:[4]
Shock= Defibrillate
Everybody= Epinephrine
Little= Lidocaine
Big= Bretylium
Momma= MgSO4
Poppa= Procainamide
KNIVES:[12]
Kidney – nephropathy
Neuromuscular – peripheral neuropathy, mononeuritis, amyotrophy
Infective – UTIs, TB
Vascular – coronary/cerebrovascular/peripheral artery disease
Eye – cataracts, retinopathy
Skin – lipohypertrophy/lipoatrophy, necrobiosis lipoidica
4 T's:
Teratoma
Thymoma
Testicular-type
T-cell / Hodgkin's lymphoma
Risk is 30% at age 30. Risk is 40% at age 40, and so on.
BLAB:
Bone
Liver
Adrenals
Brain
ABCDEF:
Achalasia
Barret's esophagus
Corrosive esophagitis
Diverticuliis
Esophageal web
Familial
SPEECH:
Superior vena cava syndrome
Paralysis of diaphragm (phrenic nerve)
Ectopic hormones
Eaton-Lambert syndrome
Clubbing
Horner syndrome/ hoarseness
ABCDE:
Asymmetry
Border irregular
Colour irregular
Diameter usually > 0.5 cm
Elevation irregular
PROGNOSIS:
Presentation (time & course)
Response to treatment
Old (bad prog.)
Good intervention (i.e. early)
Non-compliance with treatment
Order of differentiation (>1 cell type)
Stage of disease
Ill health
Spread (diffuse)
"Go look for the adenoma please":
Tropic hormones affected by growth tumor are:
GnRH
LSH
FSH
ACTH
Prolactin function
To assess abdomen, palpate all 4 quadrants for DR. GERM:
Distension: liver problems, bowel obstruction
Rigidity (board like): bleeding
Guarding: muscular tension when touched
Evisceration/ ecchymosis
Rebound tenderness: infection
Masses
AEIOU TIPS
Alcohol
Epilepsy, electrolytes, and encephalopathy
Insulin
Overdose, oxygen
Underdose, uremia
Trauma, temperature
Infection
Psychogenic, poisons
Stroke, shock[13]
One two, put on my shoe - S1/2 roots for Achilles reflex (foot plantarflexion)
Three four, kick the door - L3/4 roots for patellar reflex (knee extension)
Five six, pick up sticks - C5/6 roots for brachioradialis and biceps brachii reflexes (elbow flexion)
Seven eight, shut the gate - C7/8 roots for triceps brachii reflex (elbow extension)
OPQRST (Works well for cardiac, and respiratory patients.)[14]
Onset of the event
Provocation or palliation
Quality of the pain
Region and radiation
Severity
Time
VEAL CHOP
| FHR Pattern: | Variable | Early deceleration | Acceleration | Late deceleration |
| Meaning: | Cord compression | Head compression | O2 | Placental insufficiency |
5 P's:
Pain
Pallor
Paresthesia
Pulse
Paralysis[16]
DCAP-BTLS
Deformities & discolorations
Penetrations & punctures
Swelling & symmetry
BP-DOC
Bleeding
Pain
Deformities
Open wounds
OTIS CAMPBELL
Organophosphates
Tricyclic antidepressants
Isoniazid, insulin
Sympathomimetics
Camphor, cocaine
Amphetamines
Methylxanthines
PCP, propoxyphene, phenol, propranolol
Benzodiazepine withdrawal, botanicals
Ethanol withdrawal
Lithium, lidocaine
Lindane, lead[17]
ABCDEFGHI:
Acute renal failure
Brain [increased ICP]
Cardiac [inferior MI]
DKA
Ears [labyrinthitis]
Foreign substances [paracetamol, theo, etc.]
Glaucoma
Hyperemesis gravidarum
Infection [pyelonephritis, meningitis]
"All patients take meds":
Reading from top left:
Aortic
Pulmonary
Tricuspid
Mitral
Scale types is 3 V's:
Visual response
Verbal response
Vibratory (motor) response Scale scores are 4,5,6:
Scale of 4: see so much more
Scale of 5: talking jive
Scale of 6: feels the pricks (if testing motor by pain withdrawal)
"Assessed mental state to be positively clinically unremarkable":
Appearance and behaviour [observe state, clothing...]
Mood [recent spirit]
Speech [rate, form, content]
Thinking [thoughts, perceptions]
Behavioural abnormalities
Perception abnormalities
Cognition [time, place, age...]
Understanding of condition [ideas, expectations, concerns]
Signs and symptoms
Allergies
Medications
Past medical history, injuries, illnesses
Last meal/intake
Events leading up to the injury and/or illness
Onset of symptoms
Provocation/pallitive
Quality or character of pain
Region of pain or radiation
Signs, symptoms and severity
Time of onset, duration, intensity
CLORIDE FPP
Character: sharp or dull pain
Location: region (joint) of origin
Onset: sudden vs. gradual
Radiation:
Intensity: how severe (scale 1–10), impact on ADLs (activities of daily living), is it getting better, worse or staying the same?
Duration: acute vs. chronic
Events associated: falls, morning stiffness, swelling, redness, joint clicking or locking, muscle cramps, muscle wasting, movement limitation, weakness, numbness or tingling, fever, chills, trauma (mechanism of injury), occupation activities, sports, repetitive movements
Frequency: intermittent vs. constant, have you ever had this pain before?
Palliative factors: is there anything that makes it better? (rest, activity, meds, heat, cold)
Provocative factors: is there anything that makes it worse? (rest, activity, etc.)[18]
SOCRATES:
Site
Onset
Character
Radiation
Alleviating factors/ associated symptoms
Timing (duration, frequency)
Exacerbating factors
Severity
Alternatively, signs and symptoms with the 'S'
PLOTRADIO
Past history
Location
Onset/offset
Type/character (of pain)
Radiation
Aggravating/alleviating factors
Duration
Intensity
Other associated symptoms
9 F's:
Fat
Feces
Fluid
Flatus
Fetus
Full-sized tumors
Full bladder
Fibroids
False pregnancy
12 P's
Psychological (mental) status
Pupils: size, symmetry, reaction
Paired ocular movements
Papilloedema
Pressure (BP, increased ICP)
Pulse and rate
Paralysis, paresis
Pyramidal signs
Pin prick sensory response
Pee (incontinent)
Patellar reflex
Ptosis
"Breakfast is fast, dinner is slow, both go down":
Bobbing is fast
Dipping is slow
In both, the initial movement is down.
3AM:
3rd nerve palsy
Anti-muscarinic eye drops (e.g. to facilitate fundoscopy)
Myotonic pupil
ABC:
Appearance (SOB, pain, etc.)
Behaviour
Connections (drips, inhalers, etc. connected to patient)
"A VITAMIN C"
Acquired
Vascular
Inflammatory (infectious and non-infectious)
Trauma/ toxins
Autoimmune
Metabolic
Idiopathic
Neoplastic
Congenital
"Absent reflexes should get paediatrics professors mad"
Absent: asymmetrical tonic neck reflex
Reflexes: rooting reflex
Should: suck reflex
Get: grasp reflex
Paediatrics: placing reflex
Professors: parachute reflex
Mad: Moro reflex
BALD CHASM:
Blood pressure (high)
Arthritis
Lung disease
Diabetes
Cancer
Heart disease
Alcoholism
Stroke
Mental health disorders (depression, etc.)
"I'm a people person"
Inspection
Auscultation
Percussion
Palpation
MJ THREADS:
Myocardial infarction
Jaundice
Tuberculosis
Hypertension
Rheumatic fever/ rheumatoid arthritis
Epilepsy
Asthma
Diabetes
Strokes
VAMP THIS:
Vices (tobacco, alcohol, other drugs, sexual risks)
Allergies
Medications
Preexisting medical conditions
Trauma
History of hospitalizations
Immunizations
Surgeries
SMASH FM:
Social history
Medical history
Allergies
Surgical history
Hospitalizations
Family history
Medications
SOAP:
Subjective: what the patient says.
Objective: what the examiner observes.
Assessment: what the examiner thinks is going on.
Plan: what they intend to do about it
LADDERS:
Living situation/ lifestyle
Anxiety
Depression
Daily activities (describe a typical day)
Environmental risks / exposure
Relationships
Support system / stress
"6 students and 3 teachers go for CAMPFIRE":
Site, size, shape, surface, skin, scar
Tenderness, temperature, transillumination
Consistency
Attachment
Mobility
Pulsation
Fluctuation
Irreducibility
Regional lymph nodes
Edge
RETARD HEIGHT:
Rickets
Endocrine (cretinism, hypopituitarism, Cushing's)
Turner syndrome
Achondroplasia
Respiratory(suppurative lung disease)
Down syndrome
Hereditary
Environmental (postirradiation, postinfectious)
IUGR
GI (malabsorption)
Heart (congenital heart disease)
Tilted backbone (scoliosis)
S&S:
Sign: I (the examiner) can detect attributes/reactions without patient description
Symptom: patient only can sense attributes/feelings
FED TACOS:
Food
Exercise
Drugs
Tobacco
Alcohol
Caffeine
Occupation
Sexual activity
INVESTIGATIONS:
Iatrogenic
Neoplastic
Vascular
Endocrine
Structural / mechanical
Traumatic
Inflammatory
Genetic / congenital
Autoimmune
Toxic
Infective
Old age / degenerative
Nutritional
Spontaneous / idiopathic
PAST MIDNIGHT:
Psychological
Autoimmune
Spontaneous/idiopathic
Toxic
Metabolic
Inflammatory
Degenerative
Neoplastic
Infection
Genetic
Hematological
Traumatic
VITAMIN CDEF:
Vascular
Infective/inflammatory
Traumatic
Autoimmune
Metabolic
Iatrogenic/idiopathic
Neoplastic
Congenital
Degenerative/developmental
Endocrine/environmental
Functional
LMNOP:
Lump
Mammary changes
Nipple changes
Other symptoms
Patient risk factors
SPIKES:
Setting up
Perception
Invitation
Knowledge
Emotions
Strategy and summary
AEIOU[19]
Acidosis (refractory to treatment)
Electrolyte abnormalities (refractory to treatment, e.g. hyperkalemia)
Ingestions (e.g. methanol, ethylene glycol, lithium, salicylates)
Overload (volume overload refractory to IV diuresis)
Uremia (presenting with pericarditis, bleeding, encephalopathy)
St. VITUS'S DANCE:[4]
Sydenhams
Vascular
Increased RBC's (polycythemia)
Toxins: CO, Mg, Hg
Uremia
SLE
Senile chorea
Drugs
APLA syndrome
Neurodegenerative conditions: HD, neuroacanthocytosis, DRPLA
Conception related: pregnancy, OCP's
Endocrine: hyperthyroidism, hypo-, hyperglycemia
DREAMS:[4]
Dominantly inherited, mostly
Reflexes decreased
Enzymes normal
Apathetic floppy baby
Milestones delayed
Skeletal abnormalities
DEMENTIA:[4]
Drugs/depression
Elderly
Multi-infarct/medication
Environmental
Nutritional
Toxins
Ischemia
Alcohol
"Ataxic GAAit"
Guanine
Adenine
Adenine [20]
HEADS:[4]
Hypertension/ hyperlipidemia
Elderly
Atrial fib
Diabetes mellitus/ drugs (cocaine)
Smoking/sex (male)
Horny PAMELA:
Ptosis
Anhydrosis
Miosis
Enophthalmos
Loss of ciliary-spinal reflex
Anisocoria
DANISH:
Pinpoint pupils are caused by opioids and pontine pathology
CAFÉ SPOT:
Wet, wobbly, wacky:
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Main article: List of pathology mnemonics |
Some drugs create awesome knockers
Spironolactone
Digitalis
Cimetidine
Alcohol
Ketoconazole[21]
Conduct disorder is seen in children. Antisocial personality disorder is seen in adults.
AWESOME:
Affect flat
Weight change (loss or gain)
Energy, loss of
Sad feelings/ suicide thoughts or plans or attempts/ sexual inhibition/ sleep change (loss or excess) / social withdrawal
Others (guilt, loss of pleasure, hopeless)
Memory loss
Emotional blunting
UNHAPPINESS:
Understandable (such as bereavement, major stresses)
Neurotic (high anxiety personalities, negative parental upbringing, hypochondriasis)
Agitation (usually organic causes such as dementia)
Pseudodementia
Pain
Importuniing (whingeing, complaining)
Nihilistic
Endogenous
Secondary (i.e. cancer at the head of the pancreas, bronchogenic cancer)
Syndromal
DIMES & 3Ps:
Drugs (or withdrawal)
Infection (PUS = Pneumonia, UTI, Skin)
Metabolic (e.g. Na, Ca, TSH)
Environmental
Structural
Pain
Pee
Poo
I WATCH DEATH[22]
Infections – PUS, CNS
Withdrawal – alcohol, sedatives, barbiturates
Acute metabolic changes – pH, hypo/hyper Na, Ca, acute liver or renal failure
Trauma – brain injury, subdural hematoma
CNS – post-ictal, stroke, tumour, brain mets
Hypoxia – CHF, anemia
Deficiencies – thiamine, niacin, B12 (e.g. chronic G and T alcoholics)
Endocrinopathies – hypo-/hyper-cortisol, hypoglycemia
Acute vascular – hypertensive encephalopathy, septic hypotension
Toxins and Drugs – especially anti-cholinergics, opioids, benzodiazepines
Heavy metals
PINCH ME
Pain
Infection
Nutrition
Constipation
Hydration
Medication
Electrolytes
"The sad tale of Erikson Motors":
Mr. Trust and MsTrust had an auto they were ashamed of. She took the initiative to find the guilty party. She found the industry was inferior. They were making cars with dents [identity] and rolling fuses [role confusion]. Mr. N.T. Macy [intimacy] isolated the problem, General TVT absorbed the cost. In the end, they found the tires were just gritty and the should have used de- spare!
ASEPTIC:
Appearance
Speech
Emotion (objective/subjective)
Perceptions
Thoughts
Insight
Cognition
DIG FAST:
Distractibility
Indiscretion (DSM-IV's "excessive involvement in pleasurable activities")
Grandiosity
Flight of ideas
Activity increase
Sleep deficit (decreased need for sleep)
Talkativeness (pressured speech)
Must have 3 of MANIAC:
Mouth (pressure of speech)/ Moodl
Activity increased
Naughty (disinhibition)
Insomnia
Attention (distractibility)
Confidence (grandiose ideas)
Sleep terrors and Sleepwalking occur during Slow-wave sleep (stages 3 & 4).Nightmare occurs during REM sleep (and is remembered).
"Depressed patients seem anxious, so call psychiatrists":
Depression and other mood disorders (major depression, bipolar disorder, dysthymia)
Personality disorders (primarily borderline personality disorder)
Substance abuse disorders
Anxiety disorders (panic disorder with agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder)
Somatization disorder, eating disorders (these two disorders are combined because both involve disorders of bodily perception)
Cognitive disorders (dementia, delirium)
Psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, delusional disorder and psychosis accompanying depression, substance abuse or dementia)
4 A's:
Ambivalence
Affective incongruence
Associative loosening
Autism
WITHDraw IT:
Withdrawal
Interest or Important activities given up or reduced
Tolerance
Harm to physical and psychosocial known but continue to use
Desire to cut down, control
Intended time, amount exceeded
Time spent too much
"Pamela found our rotation particularly exciting; very highly commended mainly 'cus she arouses":
Patient details
Film details
Objects (e.g. lines, electrodes)
Rotation
Penetration
Expansion
Vessels
Hila
Costophrenic angles
Mediastinum
Cardiothoracic ratio
Soft tissues and bones
Air (diaphragm, pneumothorax, subcut. emphysema)
Preliminary is ABCDEF:
AP or PA
Body position
Confirm name
Date
Exposure
Films for comparison
Analysis is ABCDEF:
Airways (hilar adenopathy or enlargement)
Breast shadows / bones (rib fractures, lytic bone lesions)
Cardiac silhoutte (cardiac enlargement) / costophrenic angles (pleural effusions)
Diaphragm (evidence of free air) / digestive tract
Edges (apices for fibrosis, pneumothorax, pleural thickening or plaques) / extrathoracic tissues
Fields (evidence of alveolar filling) / failure (alveolar air space disease with prominent vascularity with or without pleural effusions)
"If you see holes on chest X-ray, they are weird":
Wegener's granulomatosis (now known as granulomatosis with polyangiitis)
Embolic (pulmonary, septic)
Infection (anaerobes, pneumocystis, TB)
Rheumatoid (necrobiotic nodules)
Developmental cysts (sequestration)
Histiocytosis
Oncological
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis
Environmental, occupational
Sarcoid
Alternatively: L=Left atrial myxoma
CRITOE:
Capitellum
Radial head
Internal epicondyle
Trochlea
Olecranon
External epicondyle
"Blood can be very bad":
Blood
Cistern
Brain
Ventricles
Bone
ABCD:
Anterior: look for swelling
Bones: examine each bone for fractures
Cartilage: look for slipped discs
Dark spots: ensure not abnormally big, or could mean excess blood
LOSS:
Loss of joint space
Osteopyhtes
Subcondral sclerosis
Subchondral cysts
"WW 2" (World War II):
Water is white in a T2 scan.
Conversely, a T1 scan shows fat as being whiter.
BREASTS:
Beryllium
Radiation
Extrinsic allergic alveolitis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Sarcoidosis
TB
Siliconiosis
LEMON
PIPPA
ASTHMA
CAT items: CHEST SEA
To aid memory, think of the chest (or lungs) floating in a sea of yellow sputum, which is commonly seen in COPD.
A TEA SHOP
A CHEST
LMNOP:
Lasix
Morphine
Nitro
Oxygen
Position/positive pressure ventilation[25]
The following may or may not fit properly into one of the above categories. They are being stored in this section either temporarily or permanently. Categorize them if needed.
SLUDGE and the Killer B's:
Salivation
Lacrimation
Urination
Diaphoresis, diarrhea
Gastrointestinal cramping
Emesis
Bradycardia
Bronchospasm
Bronchorrhea[26]
also known as DUMBBELLS
Diarrhea
Urination
Miosis
Bradycardia
Bronchospasm
Emesis
Lacrimation
Loss of muscle strength
Salivation/sweating
Cheyne-Stokes breathing sounds like "chain smokes"
Drugs causing gynaecomastia: DISCO
Isoproterenol
Dopamine
Epinephrine
Atropine sulfate[citation needed]
C3, 4, 5 keeps the diaphragm alive[27]
7 P's
Preparation
Preoxygenation
Pretreatment
Paralysis with induction
Positioning
Placement of tube
Postintubation management[28]
LEAN/NEAL
Lidocaine hydrochloride
Epinephrine
Atropine Sulfate
Naloxone hydrochloride[29]
FAT RN:
Fever
Anemia
Thrombocytopenia
Renal
Neuro changes[30]
SOAP BRAIN MD
Serositis
Oral ulcers
Arthritis
Photosensitivity, pulmonary fibrosis
Blood cells
Renal, Raynaud's
ANA
Immunologic (anti-Sm, anti-dsDNA)
Neuropsych
Malar rash
Discoid rash however, not in order of diagnostic importance.