Mnemonics and Acronyms for

Nursing School
Nursing School Study and Memory Tricks

AIDS/HIV
AIDS and HIV Acronyms and Mnemonics

HIV Prevention: Wrap, Glove and Don’t Shoot

 Wrap it up (condom use in patients engaging in risky sexual practices)

 Glove it up, and (health care workers need to wear gloves when exposure to blood,
semen, or other bodily fluids is possible)…
 Don’t shoot up (intravenous drug users must not share needles)

HIV Transmission: Vertical Versus Horizontal

 Vertical: From mother to infant during birth; a baby comes out vertically from the pelvis
 Horizontal: Through body fluids; sexual intercourse occurs in a horizontal position

HIV and AIDS Risk Assessment: AIDS

 A | Afraid that you have been exposed

 I | Intravenous drug use
 D | Diagnostic features of HIV infections; e.g.: reoccurring thrush infections)
 S | Sexual behaviors of high risk; example: Multiple partners and unprotected sex, sex
industry worker

HIV Body Fluid Transmission: BBB 3-Point Mantra

 B | Blood
 B | Bodily sex fluids
 B | Breast milk

HIV Drugs: ZZLSD

 Z | Zidovudine
 Z | Zalcitabine
 L | Lamivudine
 S | Stavudine
 D | Didanosine

HIV Drugs: The 3 DEN ladies of NNRT

  Dela: Delavirdine
 Efa: Efavirenz
 Nevira: Nevirapine

HIV Drugs: We don’t want our patients to RIP

 RALFSINA are Inhibitors of Protease (Protease Inhibitors)

 RALFSINA: Ritonavir, Amprenavir, Lopinavir, Fosamprinavir, Saquinavir, Indinavir,
Nelfinavir, Azatanavir

Assessment
Nursing Assessment Acronyms and Mnemonics

Pain Assessment | OLD CART

 O | Onset
 L | Location
 D | Duration
 C | Characteristics
 A | Aggravating factors
 R | Radiation
 T | Treatment (what the patient has already tried in the past and if it helped)

Pain Assessment | PQRST

 P | Pre-evolution (what brought it on; eg: Unknown, injury, strain, other event)
 Q | Quality (stabbing, radiating, dull, tingling, sharp)
 R | Region
 S | Severity, using a numerical scale of 0/10
 T | Timing: When it started, how long, if it’s new onset

Cardiovascular
Cardiovascular System Acronyms and Mnemonics

Angina | Precipitating Factors: 4 E’s

 E1 | Exertion: physical activity and exercise

 E2 | Eating
 E3 | Emotional distress
 E4 | Extreme temperatures: hot or cold weather

Arterial Occlusion: 4 P’s

 P1 | Pain
  P2 | Pulselessness or absent pulse
 P3 | Pallor
 P4 | Paresthesia

Blood Pressure Formula: BP = CO x SVR

 Blood Pressure
 Cardiac Output
 Systemic Vascular Resistance

Congestive Heart Failure Treatment: MADD DOG

 M | Morphine
 A | Aminophylline
 D | Digoxin
 D | Dopamine
 D | Diuretics
 O | Oxygen
 G | Gasses (Arterial blood gasses [ABGs] monitoring)

Cor Pulmonale Signs and Symptoms: Please Read His Text

 P | Peripheral edema
 R | Raised JVP
 H | Hepatomegaly
 T | Tricuspid incompetence

Coronary Arteries Location: Right CAMP Left ARC (I have a Right to CAMP if you Left
an ARC)

 Right = Right
 Coronary
 Artery
 Marginal Artery
 Posterior Interventricular Artery
 Left = Left
 Anterior Interventricular Artery
 Circumflex Artery

Endocarditis: FAME

 Fever
 Anemia
 Murmur = think Endocarditis

Heart Murmur Causes: SPAMS

  S | Stenosis of a valve
 P | Partial obstruction
 A | Aneurysms
 M | Mitral regurgitation
 S | Septal defect

Heart Sounds: All People Enjoy the Mall

 A | Aortic: 2nd right intercostal space

 P | Pulmonic: 2nd left intercostal space
 E | Erb’s Point: 3rd left intercostal space
 T | Tricuspid: 4th left intercostal space
 M | Mitral or Apex:  5th left intercostal space

Hypertension Care: DIURETIC

 D | Daily weight
 I | I/Os
 U | Urine output*
 R | Response of blood pressure
 E | Electrolytes
 T | Take pulse (tachycardia may occur in response to hypotension)
 I | Ischemic episodes or TIAs
 C | Complications: CVA, CAD, CHR, CRF

*Note: Excessive urination may indicate that diuretics dose are too high and lead to dehydration.
Decreased urine output may be associated with impaired renal function. Declined renal function
is often the first non-cardiac sign of a cardiac issue.

Myocardial Infarction Nursing Management: BOOMAR

 B | Bed rest
 O | Oxygen therapy
 O | Opioids: morphine
 M | Monitoring: vitals, arterial blood gases, cardiac enzymes, and other blood work
 A | Anticoagulation therapy
 R | Reduce clot size

Myocardial Infarction Treatment: MONA (or ON AM for the correct order)*

 M | Morphine
 O | Oxygen
 N | Nitroglycerin
 A | Aspirin
*The correct order of MONA interventions is oxygen, nitroglycerin, aspirin, and then morphine.
This can be remembered by the mnemonic: ON AM (I am ON fire in the AM as I am a morning
person)

Shortness of Breath (SOB) Causes: AAAAPPPP

 A | Airway obstruction
 A | Angina
 A | Anxiety
 A | Asthma
 P | Pneumonia
 P | Pneumothorax
 P | Pulmonary Edema
 P | Pulmonary Embolus

Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) Probability: The 4 T’s*

1. T | Thrombocytopenia present (low platelet count): >50% fall in platelet levels = Higher
probability of it being HIT
2. T | Timing of platelet count fall: Drop occurs during the 5-10 days after heparin use (most
common time period for reaction to occur) or drop occurs rapidly (less than 1 day) and
heparin exposure occurred within past 30 days = Higher probability of it being HIT
3. T | Thrombosis or other sequelae. Proven thrombosis or presence of skin necrosis, or an
acute systemic reaction following administration of a heparin bolus = Higher probability
of it being HIT
4. T | Thrombocytopenia, other causes. No other evident = Higher probability of it being
HIT

*Thrombocytopenia is a low platelet level. There are various etiologies that may be responsible,
but one cause is heparin-induced (AKA: HIT), which is an immune mediated reaction following
drug exposure. The 4 T’s is used to predict the probability that the thrombocytopenia is
associated with heparin use.

Tetralogy of Fallot: PROVe

 P: Pulmonary stenosis (narrowed pulmonary artery)

 R: Right ventricular hypertrophy (enlarged right ventricle)
 O: Overriding aorta (malposition of the aorta over both ventricles)
 V: Ventricular septal defect
 e*

*The lowercase “e” is intentionally left blank as its purpose it to serve as a filler for the
mnemonic

Ventricular Arrhythmias Drugs: AL

  A | Amiodorone
 L | Lidocaine

Critical Care
Critical Care Acronyms and Mnemonics

Advanced Life Support Drugs: LEAN

 L | Lidocaine
 E | Epinephrine
 A | Atropine
 N | Narcan

Compartment Syndrome Signs and Symptoms: 5 P’s

1. P | Pain
2. P | Pallor
3. P | Pulse declined or absent
4. P | Pressure increased
5. P | Paresthesia

Emergent Syncope: CRAPS (Like the Vegas Gambling Game)

 C | Cardiac
 R | Ruptured AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm, AKA: “Triple A”)
 A | Aortic stenosis
 P | Pulmonary embolism (PE)
 S | Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Shock Characteristics: HYPO-TACHY-TACHY

 Hypotension
 Tachycardia (elevated heart rate of 100 bpm or > at rest* in adults)
 Tachypnea (elevated respiration rate)

* #NurseHack: The Significance of Tachycardia | Tachycardia is an anticipated finding in an

individual who is exerting his or herself; for example, the heart rate can easily reach 160 while
working out on cardio equipment at the gym. In a clinical setting, tachycardia is typically used to
reference an individual with an elevated pulse while at rest, or not exerting his or herself
physically.

Shock Signs and Symptoms: CHORD ITEM

 C | Cold, clammy skin

 H | Hypotension
  O | Oliguria
 R | Rapid, shallow breathing
 D | Drowsiness, confusion
 I | Irritability
 T | Tachycardia
 E | Elevated or reduced central venous pressure
 M | Multi-organ damage

Shock Differential: CHORD

 C | Cardiac
 H | Hypovolemia
 O | Obstructive (tension pneumothorax, tamponade, PE)
 R | Respiratory/medical (hypoxia, acidosis, hypothermia, hyperkalemia, OD)
 D | Distributive (spinal shock, anaphylaxis, sepsis)

Shock Types: SHRIMP CAN

 S | Septic
 H | Hemorrhagic
 R | Respiratory
 I | Insulin- hypoglycemia from insulin overdose or extreme hyperglycemia – diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA)
 M | Metabolic
 P | Psychogenic
 C | Cardiogenic
 A | Anaphylactic
 N | Neurogenic

Shock Types: RN CHAMPS

 R | Respiratory
 N | Neurogenic
 C | Cardiogenic
 H | Hemorrhagic
 A | Anaphylactic
 M | Metabolic
 P | Psychogenic
 S | Septic

Trauma Complications: TRAUMATIC

 T | Tissue perfusion issues

 R | Respiratory problems
 A | Anxiety
 U | Unstable clotting factors (eg: Disseminated intravascular clotting or DIC)
  M | Malnutrition
 A | Altered body image (especially if a body part is amputated or facial deformations are
involved)
 T | Thromboembolism
 I | Infection
 C | Crush syndrome and coping problems

Trauma Survey: AMPLE (following initial assessment)

 A | Allergies
 M | Medications
 P | Previous medical history
 L | Last meal
 E | Events surrounding the injury or what happened

Diabetes
Diabetes Acronyms and Mnemonics

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) Treatment: KING UFC

 K | K+ (potassium)
 I | Insulin
 N | Nasogastric tube: if the patient is comatose
 G | Glucose: once serum levels drop
 U | Urea: monitoring
 F | Fluids: crystalloids
 C | Creatinine: monitor and catheterize

Exercise Regimen for Patients with Diabetes: FIT

 F | Frequency: 3 times a week

 I | Intervals: 30 minutes a day
 T | Time

Hyperglycemia Versus Hypoglycemia

 HYPER | Hot N’ dry: Sugar high

 HYPO | Cold N’ clammy: Need some candy

Hypoglycemia Causes and Characteristics: RE-EXPLAIN

 RE | REnal failure
 EX | EXogenous
 P | Pituitary
 L | Liver failure
  A | Alcohol
 I | Infection
 N | Neoplasm

Hypoglycemia Signs: TIRED

 T | Tachycardia
 I | Irritability
 R | Restlessness
 E | Excessive hunger
 D | Depression and diaphoresis

Mixing 2 Types of Insulin in 1 Syringe: Clear, Cloudy, Cloudy, Clear

 Clear before cloudy

 Cloudy before clear

Diagnostics/Labs
Diagnostic and Lab Value Acronyms and Mnemonics

Acid Base: ROME

 R | Respiratory (acidosis and alkalosis)

 O | Opposite: pH ↓ & CO2 ↑ = Acidosis; pH ↑ CO2 ↓= Alkalosis
 M | Metabolic (acidosis and alkalosis)
 E | Equal: pH ↓ & HCO3 ↓ = Acidosis; pH ↑ & HCO3 ↑= Alkalosis

Calcium: 8.5-10

 Children’s bones grow strong between ages 8 ½ -10

 This is a way to remember the range of normal calcium values in the blood serum

CBC (Complete Blood Count) Components: HELPR

 H | H/H (Hemoglobin/Hematocrit)
 E | Erythrocytes (RBCs)
 L | Leukocytes (WBCs)
 P | Platelets
 R | R/R* (reticulocytes/RBC indices)#

*Unlike H/H (which stands for hemoglobin/hematocrit), R/R is NOT a term typically used to
describe reticulocytes/RBC indices…it’s just used for the purpose of this mnemonic. #RBC
indices involve components that are used to describe the shape, size, and other characteristics of
the RBCs…They’re important for differentiating the type of anemia.
Potassium: 3.5 -5 POTS

 Children age 3½ -5 like to play with POTS (example: making mud pies)
 This is a way to remember the normal range of potassium values

Lab Values from Lowest to Highest: Miss Piggy & Kermit Came Home on Cloud Nine

 Miss: Magnesium = 1.5-2.5

 Piggy: Phosphate = 2.5-4.5
 &
 Kermit: (K) Potassium = 3.5-5.5
 Came: Calcium = 8.5-10.5
 Home: HCO2 = 22-26
 On: Oxygen Saturation = 95-100%
 Cloud: Chloride = 95-104
 Nine: (Na) Sodium = 135-145

Order of the Draw: My Purse Gets Big*

 M | Marble
 P | Purple
 G | Green
 B | Blue

* There’s a ‘male version’ of this mnemonic…Use your imagination guys!

White Blood Cells (WBC) Values: Never Let Monkeys Eat Bananas

 N | Neutrophil: 50-70%
 L | Lymphocytes: 25-35%
 M | Monocytes:4-6%
 E | Eosinophils:1-3%
 B | Basophils: 0.4-1%

White Blood Cells (WBC) Values: Never Let Mom Eat Beans

 N | Neutrophil: 50-70%
 L | Lymphocytes: 25-35%
 M | Monocytes:4-6%
 E | Eosinophils:1-3%
 B | Basophils: 0.4-1%

Medical Diagnosis: MIDNIT*

 M | Metabolic
 I | Inflammatory
  D | Degenerative
 N | Neoplastic
 I | Infectious
 T | Trauma

*For Medical Doctors, Doctors of Osteopathy (DO), and mid-level providers (Nurse
Practitioners and Physician Assistants). RNs do NOT make medical diagnoses! (We make
nursing diagnoses.)

Electrolytes
Electrolytes Acronyms and Mnemonics

Hypernatremia Signs and Symptoms: FRIED SALT

 F | Flush skin and fever (low-grade)

 R | Restless, irritable, anxious, confused
 I | Increased blood pressure and fluid retention
 E | Edema: peripheral and pitting
 D | Decreased urine output and dry mouth
 S | Skin flushed
 A | Agitation
 L | Low-grade fever
 T | Thirst

Hypernatremia Causes: MODEL

 M | Meals (high intake) and medications

 O | Osmotic diuresis
 D | Diabetes Insipidus
 E | Excessive loss of water
 L | Low intake of water

Hypocalcaemia Signs and Symptoms: CATS

 C | Convulsions
 A | Arrhythmias
 T | Tetany
 A | Stridor and spasms

Hyperkalemia (High K+) Causes: MACHINE

 M | Meds: ACE inhibitors, NSAIDS, Diuretics (potassium sparing)

 A | Acidosis: Metabolic and respiratory
 C | Cellular destruction: Burns, traumatic injury
 H | Hypoaldosteronism and hemolysis
  I | Intake: Excessive dietary consumption (eg: Salt replacements products that contain
potassium)
 N | Nephrons: Renal failure
 E | Excretion: Impaired (unable to excrete K+ normally)

Hyperkalemia Signs and Symptoms: MURDER

 M | Muscle cramps that progress to weakness or even paralysis

 U | Urine abnormalities: Oliguria or anuria (output less than 30 mL/hour or no output)
 R | Respiratory distress
 D | Decreased cardiac contractility
 E | EKG changes
 R | Reflexes: Hyperreflexia or areflexia (flaccidity)

Hyperkalemia Treatment: C BIG K DROP

 C | Calcium
 B | Bicarbonate
 I | Insulin
 G | Glucose
 K | Kayexalate
 D | Diuretics and dialysis

Hypokalemia Signs and Symptoms: A SIC WALT

 A | Alkalosis
 S | Shallow Respirations
 I | Irritability
 C | Confusion and drowsiness
 W | Weakness and fatigue
 A | Arrhythmias: tachycardia or bradycardia, irregular rhythm
 L | Lethargy
 T | Thready Pulse
 (Other signs: decreased intestinal mobility, vomiting, and ileus)

Hypokalemia Causes and Characteristics: SUCTION

 S | Skeletal muscle weakness

 U | U-wave on EKG
 C | Constipation
 T | Toxicity to digoxin
 I | Irregular and weak pulse
 O | Otostasis
 N | Numbness paresthesia

Hypokalemia Signs and Symptoms: 6 L’s

  L | Lethargy
 L | Leg cramps
 L | Limp muscles
 L | Low, shallow respirations
 L | Lethal cardiac dysrhythmias
 L | Lots of urine (polyuria)

Endocrine
Endocrine System Acronyms and Mnemonics

Adrenal Hormones: SSS | Salt, Sugar, Sex

 S | Sugar: Glucocorticoids = Glucose control, stress and immunity (Memory Trick: When
you’re stressed, you eat too much sugar and you get sick)
 S | Salt: Mineralocorticoids = Fluid/electrolyte balance and blood pressure regulation
(Memory Trick: You drink mineral water in order to stay hydrated and keep your
electrolytes and blood pressure balanced)
 S | Sex: Androgens (testosterone and estrogen) = Sex drive/development (Memory Trick:
Androgen + Estrogen = Drives sex, which is how humans are developed)

Acute Pancreatitis Etiology: GET SMASH’D

 G | Gallstones
 E | Ethanol
 T | Trauma
 S | Steroids
 M | Mumps
 A | Autoimmune (PAN)
 A | Scorpion bites
 H | Hyperlipidemia
 D | Drugs… such as azathioprine and diuretics

Cushing’s Disease (Symptoms/Etiology/Patho): CUSHING

 C: Central obesity and moon face

 U: Urinary levels of free cortisol and glucose increased
 S: Suppressed immunity, skin changes (skin thin, striae)
 H: Hypercortisolism, hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypernatremia, hypertension,
hirsutism
 I: Infections. Iatrogenic cause = Excessive use of corticosteroids
 N: Non-iatrogenic cause = Neoplasms (benign pituitary or adrenal tumor that secretes
cortisol)
 G: Gynecomastia, glucose intolerance, growth delay, growth of hair

Cushing’s Disease Signs/Symptoms: CUSHING

  C: Central obesity/moon face
 U: Urine high in cortisol and glucose
 S: Skin changes
 H: Hyperglycemia, hypernatremia, hypertension, hirsutism
 I: Infections
 N: Neoplasm observed in MRI (on the adrenal or pituitary gland)
 G: Gynecomastia

Fundamentals
Nursing Fundamentals Acronyms and Mnemonics

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): BATTED

 B | Bathing
 A | Ambulation
 T | Toileting (+ Urinary/Fecal Continence)
 T | Transfers
 E | Eating
 D | Dressing

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): TED BUG

 T | Transferring
 E | Eating/feeding
 D | Dressing
 B | Bathing
 U | Urinary/fecal continence
 G | Grooming

Bleeding Precautions: RANDI*

 R | Razor blades and electric blades

 A | Anticoagulants/Aspirin (don’t give them-contraindicated)
 N | Needles: Particularly smaller gauges (which are larger in diameter)
 D | Decrease number of needle sticks (Example: Mix 2 insulin types in one syringe, if
compatible, for only one stick)
 I | Injury risk prevention (use of assistive ambulatory devices, remove floor rugs from
home, reduce clutter, clear hallways)

Bleeding Precautions: HACH (Reasons for Need)

 H | Heparin
 A | Anemic (severe)
 C | Coumadin (generic name: Warfarin)
 H | Hemophilia or other clotting disorder
Cane Ambulation: COAL

 C | Cane
 O | Opposite
 A | Affected
 L | Leg

Care Planning- Determining Interventions: The 3 C’s

1. C | Collaboration: Between interdisciplinary team (IDT) members

2. C | Cooperation: Patient must agree
3. C | Compromise: Between RN and MD, patient and IDT

Hypertension Complications: The 4 C’s

1. C | Coronary artery disease (CAD)

2. C | Congestive heart failure (CHF)
3. C | Chronic renal failure (CRF)
4. C | Cardiovascular accident (CVA): brain attack or stroke

Hypertension Nursing Interventions: I TIRED!*

 I: Intake and output (I/O’s of urine)

 T: Take blood pressure
 I: Ischemia attack, transient (TIAs)-monitors for signs
 R: Respiration/pulse monitoring
 E: Electrolytes (obtain orders for blood work and monitor values) and edema (sign of
fluid overload)
 D: Daily weights (preferably at same time each morning, on same scale, in clothes of
similar weight)

*Or mix it up for “I TRIED.”

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs): SCUUMM

 S | Shopping
 C | Cooking
 U | Using the telephone
 U | Using transportation (driving, public, or ability to independently arrange
transportation services)
 M | Money management
 M | Medication management

Pain Assessment: PQRST

 P | Provokes: What Provokes the pain

  Q | Quality: What is the Quality of the pain?
 R | Radiate: Does the pain Radiate?
 S | Severity: What is the Severity of the pain? (Use a numerical scale)
 T | Timing: What is the Timing (onset/duration) of the pain?

Pain Management: ABCDE

 A | Assess for pain and ask about the pain

 B | Believe the patient’s account of pain description (subjective data)*
 C | Choices: Inform patients of their options for pain relief
 D | Deliver therapeutic interventions when you said you would (timing/integrity to word)
 E | Empower and enable the patient to have pain control

*Pain is an exception in the nursing assessment as subjective data (the patient’s own report) is
the most reliable and important factor (in most other cases, objective data is considered to be
the best quality)…

Stool Assessment: FACT

 F | Frequency
 A | Amount
 C | Color and consistency
 T | Timing

Walker Ambulation: Wandering Wilma’s Always Late

 W | Walk
 W | With
 A | Affected
 L | Leg

Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal System Acronyms and Mnemonics

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome): ABCS

 A | Abdominal distension
 B | Bloating
 C | Constipation and diarrhea (alternating cycles)
 S | Stools with mucus

RLQ Pain: APPENDICITIS

 A | Appendicitis or abscess
 P | Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or period
  P |Pancreatitis
 E | Ectopic pregnancy or endometriosis
 N | Neoplasia
 D | Diverticulitis
 I | Intussusception
 C | Crohn’s disease or cyst (ovarian)
 I | Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
 T | Torsion (ovary)
 I | Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
 S | Stones, kidney (renal calculi)

Hepatobiliary (Liver/Gallbladder)
Hepatic System Acronyms and Mnemonics

Cholestasis/Cholelithiasis Risk Factors: The Five F’s

1. F | Fat: BMI > 30

2. F | Female: Gender prevalent
3. F | Forties: > age of 40*
4. F | Fertile: OB/GYN history of one or more children
5. F | Fair: More frequent in Caucasians

*If the patient is diagnosed at a young age and cholestasis/cholelithiasis runs in the family, swap
out “Forty” for “Familial,” as in family history

Pneumobilia Versus Portal Venous Gas (Appearance Upon Diagnostic Imaging): PP and
CC

 PP | Portal venous gas: Peripheral

 CC | Common bile duct gas: Central

Portal Hypertension Symptoms: ABCDE

 A | Ascites
 B | Bleeding (hematemesis, piles)
 C | Caput medusa
 D | Diminished liver
 E | Enlarged spleen

Home Health/Hospice
Home Health and Hospice Acronyms and Mnemonics

BREAKS: 6-Step Protocol for Breaking Bad News

  Step 1 | B: Background
 Step 2 | R: Rapport
 Step 3 | E: Explore
 Step 4 | A: Announce
 Step 5 | K: Kindling
 Step 6 | S: Summarize

Home Health Nursing Manager: CAME (Role)

 C | Clinician: Provides for patient assessment and problem solving via nursing
interventions
 A | Advocate: Works to protect the rights of the patient and deals with issues such as
insurance negotiation
 M | Manager: Manages home health care cases, including distribution of staff support,
resources (supplies, equipment), and paperwork for reimbursement of services (OASIS
forms and more)
 E | Educator: Educating patients in the home setting is crucial the hospital environment
may not permit adequate time for thorough teaching

SPIKES Protocol for Delivering Bad News

 Step 1 | S: Set up the interview

 Step 2 | P: Perception assessment
 Step 3 | I: Invitation
 Step 4 | K: Knowledge and information
 Step 5 | E: Emotions and empathy
 Step 6 | S: Strategize and summarize

Immunology
Immune System Acronyms and Mnemonics

Hypersensitivity Reactions Types: ACID

 Type 1 | A: Anaphylaxis
 Type 2 | C: Cytotoxic mediated
 Type 3 | I: Immune complex mediated
 Type 4 | D: Delayed hypersensitivity

Postoperative Fever Etiologies: 5 W’s

 W | Wind: Pneumonia and atelectasis

 W | Wound: Wound and surgical incision site infections
 W | Water: Urinary tract infection
 W | Walking: Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus
  W | Wonder-drugs: Especially anesthetics

Musculoskeletal
Musculoskeletal System Acronyms and Mnemonics

Fracture Treatment: PRICE

 P | Pressure
 R | Rest
 I | Ice
 C | Compression
 E | Elevation

Musculoskeletal Injury Assessment: 5 P’s

1. P | Pain
2. P | Pulse
3. P | Paresthesia
4. P | Paralysis
5. P | Pallor

Traction Patient Care: TRACTION

 T | Temperature of extremity is assessed for signs of infection

 R | Ropes hang freely
 A | Alignment of body and injured area
 C | Circulation check (5 P’s)
 T | Type and location of fracture
 I | Increase fluid intake
 O | Overhead trapeze
 N | No weights on bed or floor

Neurological
Neurological System Acronyms and Mnemonics

Autonomic Nervous System Response: Stress Versus Peace 

 Stress = Sympathetic: fight or flight

 Peace = Parasympathetic: rest and digest

Cholinergic Crisis: SLUD

 S | Salivation
 L | Lacrimation
  U | Urination
 D | Defecation

Cushing’s Triad- Increased Intracranial Pressure (ICP): HYPER-BRADY-BRADY

 Hypertension
 Bradycardia
 Bradypnea

Dementia and Delirium Causes: DEMENTIA

 D | Diabetes
 E | Ethanol
 M | Medication
 E | Environmental (example: lead poisoning)
 N | Nutritional
 T | Trauma
 I | Infection and sepsis
 A | Alzheimer’s disease

Remember: Delirium is has a rapid onset and is temporary while dementia is progressive and
often secondary to chronic neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Huntington’s Disease Pathophysiology and Etiology: HUNT 4 DATE

 HUNTington’s on chromosome 4
 With cauDATE nucleus involvement

Meningeal Spaces: Eat Some Darn Sunflower Seeds (ESS)

 Epidural space: located between the dura mater and the skull
 SubDural space: located between the arachnoid membrane and dura mater
 Subarachnoid Space: located between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater

Meninges: PAD (an Inner to Outer PAD Covers the Brain)

 P | Pia matter: innermost brain cover; comes into direct contact with the brain
 A | Arachnoid membrane: middle cover; cerebrospinal fluid (CFS) lies underneath
 D | Dura matter: outermost brain cover; protects the meningeal arteries and veins

Meningococcal Meningitis Complications: SAD REP

 S | Sepsis, shock, and subdural effusion

 A | Ataxia and abscess of the brain
 D | DIC and deafness
 R | Retardation*
  E | Epilepsy
 P | Paralysis

*Please don’t use this term.

Miosis Causes: CPR ON SLIME

 C | Clonidine
 P | Phenothiazines
 R | Resting (deep sleep)
 O | Opiates
 N | Narcotics
 S | Stroke (pontine hemorrhage)
 L | Lomotil (diphenoxylate)
 I | Insecticides
 M | Mushrooms/ Muscarinic (inocybe, clitocybe)

Parkinson’s Disease Cardinal Signs: TRAP

 T | Tremor
 R | Rigidity
 A | Ataxia/akinesia and bradykinesia
 P | Postural Instability

Sensory- the 5 Senses in Medical Terms: GOOTA (like the Cheese*)

 Gustatory (taste)
 Occipital (vision)
 Olfactory (smell; aka: nosmia)
 Tactile (touch; aka: kinesthetic)
 Auditory (hearing; aka: aural)

*The actual cheese is spelled “gouda”

Vertigo Causes: VOMITS

 V | Vestibulitis
 O | Ototoxic drug
 M | Meniere’s disease
 I | Injury
 T | Tumor
 S | Spinning (benign positional vertigo)

Obstetrics (OB)
Obstetrics/Labor and Delivery Acronyms and Mnemonics
Postpartum Assessment: BUBBLE-HE

 B | Breasts
 U | Uterus
 B | Bladder
 B | Bowels
 L | Lochia
 E | Emotional status
 H | Hemorrhoids, hematoma, and anal fissures
 E | Episiotomy

Fetal Heart Monitoring: VEAL CHOP

 V | Variability = C | Compression
 E | Early Decelerations = H | Head
 A | Accelerations =  O | Oxygenation
 L | Late Decelerations = P | Placental insufficiency

Gestational Diabetes, Newborn Assessments Findings: HARM

 H | Hypoglycemic: The infant has lost the intrauterine “sugar IV”

 A | Alert: Some neonates will appear very alert at delivery
 R | Reddish skin tone
 M | Macrosomic: Large for the gestational age (over 4,000 grams or 8.8 pounds at birth)

HELLP Syndrome | Hemolysis, Hepatic Enzymes, Low Platelets: HELLP

 H | Hemolysis
 E | Elevated
 L | Liver Enzymes
 L | Low
 P | Platelets

Magnesium Sulphate Toxicity Signs: BURP

 B | Blood pressure decrease

 U | Urine output decrease
 R | Respiratory rate decrease
 P | Patellar reflex absent

Postpartum Perineal Assessment: REEDA

 R | Redness
 E | Edema
 E | Ecchymosis
 D | Discharge
  A | Approximation

Shaken Baby Syndrome Risks: PURPLE

 P | Peak of crying/Post-partum depression

 U | Unexpected pregnancy (unplanned/unprepared)
 R | Resist soothing
 P | Pain like crying, even in absence of painful stimuli
 L | Long-lasting
 E | Evening (colic most prevalent)

Tocolytic Drugs* or Uterine Relaxants: It’s Not My Time

 I | Indomethacin (NSAID)
 N | Nifedipine (calcium channel blocker)
 M | Magnesium Sulphate
 T | Terbutaline (adrenergic agonist)

*Drugs for tocolysis, or to delay premature delivery.

Viral Prenatal Testing: TORCH

 T | Toxoplasmosis
 O | Other viruses
 R | Rubella
 C | Cytomegalovirus
 H | Hepatitis A and B

Oncology
Oncology Acronyms and Mnemonics

Cancer: Early Warning Signs | CAUTION UP

 C | Change in bowel or bladder

 A | A lesion that does not heal
 U | Unusual bleeding or discharge
 T | Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere
 I | Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
 O | Obvious appearance changes in mole or wart
 N | Nagging cough or persistent hoarseness
 U | Unexplained weight loss
 P | Pernicious anemia

Leukemia Signs and Symptoms: ANT

  A | Anemia and decreased hemoglobin
 N | Neutropenia and increased risk of infection
 T | Thrombocytopenia and increased risk of bleeding

Pediatric (Peds)
Pediatric Acronyms and Mnemonics

Diarrhea: Causes of Chronic Cases in Peds | 5 C’s

1. C | Cow’s milk intolerance (lactose intolerance)

2. C | Celiac disease
3. C | Colitis (ulcerative)
4. C | Cystic fibrosis
5. C | Crohn’s disease

Down’s Syndrome Characteristics (Etiology/Pathophysiology): DOWN

 D | Decreased alphafetoprotein and unconjugated estriol

 O | One extra chromosome (21)
 W | Women over 40
 N | Nondisjunction during maternal meiosis

Down’s Syndrome Characteristics: CHILD HAS A PROBLEM

 C | Congenital heart disease and cataracts

 H | Hypotonia and hypothyroidism
 I | Increased gap between 1st and 2nd toe
 L | Lung issues and leukemia risks x 2
 D | Delayed development and duodenal atresia
 H | Hirschsprung’s disease and hearing loss
 A | Alzheimer’s disease
 S | Slanted eyes, short limbs, and short neck
 P | Protruding tongue and palmar crease
 R | Round face and rolling eye or nystagmus
 O | Occiput flat and oblique eye fissure
 B | Brushfield spot and brachycephaly
 L | Low nasal bridge and language problem
 E | Epicanthic fold and ear folded
 M | Mental retardation and myoclonus

Hypoxia Signs in Neonates and Infants: FINES

 F | Feeding difficulty
 I | Inspiratory stridor
 N | Nares flaring
  E | Expiratory grunting
 S | Sternal retractions

Scarlet Fever: 6 S’s

1. S | Streptococci causal organism

2. S | Sore throat
3. S | Swollen tonsils
4. S | Strawberry tongue
5. S | Sandpaper rash
6. S | Sudamina (military) vesicles: Over hands, feet, abdomen

Sickle Cell Anemia Crisis Treatment: HOPS

 H | Hydration via IV normal saline (NS) solution

 O | Oxygen supplementation
 P | Pain management
 S | Soothe (stay calm)

Pharmacology (Pharm)
Pharmacology Acronyms and Mnemonics

6 Rights of Drug Administration- Patients Do Drugs Round The Day: PPDRTD

 Right Patient
 Right Medication
 Right Dose
 Right Route
 Right Time
 Right Documentation

6 Rights of Drug Administration: DR. TIMED

 Right Dose
 Right Route
 Right Time
 Right Individual
 Right Medication
 Right Expiration date*
 Right Documentation

*Some students are taught to include “right effect” as well: the expected outcomes of treatment

Antihypertensives: ABC
  A | ACE Inhibitors
 B | Beta Blocker (LOLs)
 C | Calcium Channel Blockers

Bradycardia Drugs: IDEA*

 I | Isoproterenol
 D | Dopamine
 E | Epinephrine
 A | Atropine

Think of Idea = Light bulb = Energy = Increasing speed of heart to treat bradycardia

Bronchodilators: TO A SIS

 T | Terbutaline
 O | Orciprenaline
 A | Adrenaline
 S | Salbutamol
 I | Isoprenaline
 S | Salmeterol

IM Gluteal Injection: Shut UP and BUTT OUT (or ouch!)

 Location | The UPper OUTer quadrant of the BUTTock (gluteus muscle)

 Rationale | Or ouch! = This technique avoids hitting the sciatic nerve

Interactions: These Drugs Can Interact

 T: Theophyline
 D: Dilantin
 C: Coumadin
 I: Ionone (Erythromycin)

Lidocaine Toxicity: SAMS

 S | Seizures
 A | Altered central nervous system
 M | Muscle twitching
 S | Slurred speech

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: NSAIDS

 N | Naproxen
 S | Salicylates (Aspirin)
 A | Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Allopurinol (for gouty arthritis)
  I | Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
 D | Diclofenac
 S | Sulinclac

Tuberculosis Drugs: PERIS*

 P | Pyrazinamide (Rolab-Pyrazinamide, Pyrazide, Rozide, Isopas)

 E | Ethambutol (Purderal, Rolab-Ethambutol)
 R | Rifampin (Rifacap 150, Rifacap 450, Rimactane 600, Rifinah 300)
 I | Isoniazid (Lennon-Isoniazid, Be-tabs Isoniazid, Norstan-Isoniazid)
 S | Streptomycin (Aminoglycoside: streptomycine, streptomycin sulfate or streptomycin
nitrate)

*Americans: Think of someone saying “Paris” with a French accent

Tuberculosis Drugs (and Major Side Effects): RIPES

 R | Rifampicin: Red-orange secretions and urine

 I | Isoniazid: Peripheral neuritis
 P | Pyrazinamide: Increased uric acid
 E | Ethambutol: Visual problems
 S | Streptomycin: Ototoxic

Psych/Mental Health
Psychiatric/Mental Health Acronyms and Mnemonics

Alcohol Use Screening: CAGE

 C | Cut back: Has anyone ever suggested that you cut back on drinking?
 A | Annoyed: Has anyone ever expressed being annoyed at your drinking habits?
 G | Guilt: Do you ever feel guilty about your drinking?
 E | Eye opener: Do you ever feel the urge to have a morning drink (referred to as an “eye
opener”)?
 S | Shakes: Do you ever experience “The Shakes” when you don’t have a drink? (More
common in the morning)

Altered Mental Status: DIM TOP (as in his head ain’t right!)

 D | Drugs: Prescription, illicit, accidental overdose, and toxicity of unknown origin

 I | Infections: Meningitis, encephalitis, sepsis, urinary tract infections, and others
 M | Metabolic: Hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, and other imbalances
 T | Trauma: Head, c-spine, and blood loss
 O | Oxygen deficit: CNS hypoxia, metabolic
 P | Psychological: Diagnosis of exclusion
Bipolar Disorder Manic Episode Signs: DIG FAST

 D | Distractibility
 I | Indiscretion, impatience, and irritability
 G | Grandiosity
 F | Flight of ideas and energy
 A | Activity increase
 S | Sleep deficit/Sexually hypoactive
 T | Talkative- excessively

Depression Assessment Signs: CAPS

 C | Concentration impaired or decreased

 A | Appetite changes
 P | Psychomotor function decreased
 S | Suicidal ideations and sleep disturbances

Depression: Assessment Findings | SIGN

 S | Sleep disturbances
 I | Interest decreased
 G | Guilty feelings
 N | No energy

Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Worry WARTS

 W: Wound up
 W: Worn-out
 A: Absentmindedness
 R: Restless
 T: Touchy (as in increased emotional sensitivity)
 S: Sleepless

Major Depressive Disorder: SIG E CAPS

 S | Suicidal thoughts
 I | Interests decreased
 G | Guilt
 E | Energy decreased
 C | Concentration decreased
 A | Appetite disturbance
 P | Psychomotor changes
 S | Sleep disturbances

OARS: Motivational Interviewing

  O | Open-ended questions
 A | Affirmations
 R | Reflections
 S | Summaries

Psych Assessment: Always Send Mail Through Post Office

 A | Appearance
 S | Speech
 M | Mood and Memory
 T | Thoughts
 P | Perception
 O | Orientation

Schizophrenia: Primary Symptoms | 4 A’s

1. A | Affect
2. A | Ambivalence
3. A | Associative looseness
4. A | Autism (autistic-like behavior; including limited affection/difficulty making
interpersonal connections with others)

Suicide Attempt Warning Signs: IS PATH WARM?

 I: Ideation
 S: Substance abuse
 P: Purposelessness
 A: Anxiety
 T: Trapped
 H: Hopelessness
 W: Withdrawal
 A: Anger
 R: Recklessness
 M: Mood Changes

Public/Community Health
Public and Community Health Acronyms and Mnemonics

The 3 Epidemiological Health Models: WEB

 W | Web of Causation Epidemiological Health Model

 E | Epidemiological Triangle Health Model
 B | BEINGS Epidemiological Health Model

Epidemiological Health Model: BEINGS  

  B | Biological and behavioral factors
 E | Environmental factors
 I | Immunological factors
 N | Nutritional factors
 G | Genetic factors
 S | Services, social factors, and spiritual factors

Renal (Kidney)
Renal (Kidney) Acronyms and Mnemonics

Patients Who Require Dialysis: AEIOU (The Vowels)

 A | Acid base imbalance

 E | Electrolyte imbalances
 I | Intoxication
 O | Overload of fluids
 U | Uremic symptoms (Uremia = Toxins in the blood)

Reproductive
Reproductive Health Acronyms and Mnemonics

Intrauterine Device (IUD) Complications: PAINS 

 P | Period irregularities: Too much/little/sporadic (late, spotting, heavy bleeding)

 A | Abdominal pain/dyspareunia (painful intercourse)
 I | Infection: Pelvic- abnormal vaginal discharge
 N | Not feeling well: Fever or chills
 S | String missing (inspected for once/month by patient)

Oral Birth Control Pills Complications: ACHES

 A | Abdominal pain
 C | Chest pain
 H | Headache
 E | Eye problems
 S | Severe leg pain (DVT)
 P | Pulmonary embolism

Hormonal Birth Control Complications: CHEAT

 C | Chest pain
 H | Headaches
 E | Eye problems
 A | Acne/Abdominal pain
  T | Thrombi: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE)

Respiratory
Respiratory System Acronyms and Mnemonics

Asthma Management: ASTHMA

 A | Adrenergics: Albuterol and other bronchodilators

 S | Steroids
 T | Theophylline
 H | Hydration: Intravenous fluids
 M | Mask: Oxygen therapy
 A | Antibiotics (for associated respiratory infections)

Dyspnea: The 6 “P’s”

 P1 | Pump failure
 P2 | Pulmonary embolus
 P3 | Pulmonary bronchial constriction
 P4 | Possible obstruction from a foreign body
 P5 | Pneumonia
 P6 | Pneumothorax

Epiglottitis: AIR RAID

 A | Airway Closed
 I | Increased Pulse
 R | Restlessness
 R | Retractions
 A | Anxiety Increased
 I | Inspiratory Stridor
 D | Drooling

Hypoxia: RAT (signs of early) BED (signs of late)

 R | Restlessness
 A | Anxiety
 T | Tachycardia and tachypnea
 B | Bradycardia
 E | Extreme restlessness/passed out
 D | Dyspnea

Pneumothorax Signs: P-THORAX

 Pleuretic pain (pain in the actual lungs- not cardiac chest pain)
  Trachea deviation
 Hyperresonance
 Onset sudden
 Reduced breath sounds (& dyspnea)
 Absent fremitus
 X-ray shows collapsed lung

Respiratory Depression Inducing Drugs: STOP

 S | Sedatives and hypnotics

 T | Trimethoprim
 O | Opiates: Examples- Oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine
 P | Polymyxins

Urinary
Urinary System Acronyms and Mnemonics

Urinary Catheter (Foley) Documentation: DASP

 D | Description of urine: color, clarity, sediments, odor

 A | Amount of urine: measured in milliliters (mLs)
 S | Size of catheter: the diameter of the tubing
 P | Procedure performed: example- placement of a new foley, foley care, or foley removal

Transient Incontinence Causes: DIAPERS

 D | Delirium
 I | Infection
 A | Atrophic urethra
 P | Pharmaceuticals and psychological
 E | Excess urine output
 R | Restricted mobility
 S | Stool impaction

Stroke
Stroke Acronyms and Mnemonics

Stroke Signs: FAST

 F | Face
 A | Arms
 S | Speech
 T | Time
Stroke Etiology and Management: The 10 P’s

1. P | Pump (structural, functional, or rhythm of heart can cause/complicate stroke.

Telemetry and echocardiography used for workup)
2. P | Pressure (hypertension is #1 stroke risk. Brain receives systolic pressure)
3. P | Perfusate (blood in the brain must have enough volume, oxygen, and glucose + good
consistency. Prone to clotting if too viscous)
4. P | Pipes (arteries carry blood to brain; if blocked by plagues or clots, it’s an ischemic
stroke; if busted, it’s hemorrhagic)
5. P | Plumbing (how the arteries communicate in the brain- impacts extent of damage from
loss of affected artery)
6. P | Perfusion (movement/flow of blood through brain is detected via diagnostic imaging)
7. P | Parenchyma (imaging used to view brain tissue and determine type/source of injury)
8. P | Penumbra (the part of the brain with insufficient flow but is not dead yet)
9. P | Physical rehabilitation and recovery
10. P | Prevention

Urinary
Urinary System Acronyms and Mnemonics

BPH Symptoms: WISE (Obstructive) FUN (Irritative)

 W | Weak urinary stream

 I | Intermittent flow
 S | Straining to urinate
 E | Emptying incomplete
 F | Frequency (>8 times in 24 hrs)
 U | Urgency (the strong need to urinate immediately)
 N | Nocturia (frequency of urination at night)

BPH, Factors that Increase Risk: FAE SIGN

 F | Family History
 A | Androgens
 E | Estrogens
 S | Stromal-epithelial interactions
 I | Inflammation
 G | Growth factors
 N | Neurotransmitters

BPH, Indications for Surgical Management: SHITRR

 S | Stones (recurrent)
 H | Hematuria (recurrent)
 I | Infections (reoccurring)
  T | Therapeutic failure of meds
 R | Retention (failed TOV)
 R | Renal insufficiency

Prostatitis, Possible Causes: MIMIC Dick PAIN

 M | Multi-factorial
 I | Intraductal reflux
 M | Microbiologic cause
 I | Immunologic alteration
 C | Chemical-induced inflammation
 Dick | Dysfunctional voiding
 P | Psychological cause
 A | Altered prostatic host defenses (CATPUBES)
 I | IC-like cause
 N | Neural dysregulation

Prostatitis, Altered Prostatic Host Defenses: CAT PUBES

 C | Catheter
 A | Anal sex (unprotected)
 T | TURP
 P | Phimosis
 U | UTIs
 B | Blood groups
 E | Epididymitis (acute)
 S | Secretory dysfunction

About NurseMonics
Mnemonics and Acronyms

A mnemonic is a concise phrase in which each letter stands for a word. An example of a
mnemonic is MONA (morphine, oxygen, nitroglycerin, and aspirin). The word mnemonic
originates from the Greek term “memory aid.” Mnemonics can be used as a valuable resource to
assist nursing students in the studying process. An acronym is an word or term in which each
letter of the phrase is combined into an abbreviation. An example of an acronym is HELLP for
HELLP Syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets).

Learning Styles that Benefit

Mnemonic and acronym memory tricks can be helpful to many people, especially students with
visual and aural (auditory) learning styles. While taking an exam, visual learners may utilize
these techniques by closing their eyes and picturing the image or by visualizing the term in front
of them. Aural learners can use memory tricks by verbalizing them out loud to themselves (or by
listening to another person speak them), then mentally recalling the experience during an exam.
Although they’re traditionally associated with visual and auditory learning, they can also provide
value to individuals with other learning styles.
Reading/writing learners can capitalize upon mnemonics and acronyms by…well, reading and
writing them. Creating flashcards or composing and regularly reviewing a digital list (eg: Word
document) are great ways implementation techniques. Students with a tactile learning style can
benefit from mnemonics and acronyms by creating a project such as a scrapbook or another
hands-on activity that associates each concept with a kinesthetic element (note: It’s the process
of hands-on creation that best serves this type of learner).