Emergency Medicine Mnemonics

[abdallah_ibrahim]

"HI POTASSIuM"

Causes of Hyperkalaemia:

H: Hypoaldosteronism (Addison's Disease)
I: Iatrogenic (excess infusion)
P: Pottasium-sparing diuretics (e.g. spironolactone)
O: Oliguria
T: Tissue destruction (rhabdomyolysis, burns)
A: Acidosis
S: Spurious (lab error)
S: Suxamethonium (inducing agent in anaesthesia)
I: Ingestion ( potassium iodide, bananas, citrus)
M: Massive blood transfusion.



"TV SPARC CUBE":

Signs and symptoms of Shock:

T: Thirst
V: Vomiting
S: Sweating
P: Pulse weak
A: Anxious
R: Respirations shallow/rapid
C: Cold extremeties
C: Cyanotic
U: Unconscious
B: BP low
E: Eyes blank


"Every Little Boy Must Pray":

Drugs used in Vfib/Vtach according to ACLS:

E: Epinephrine
L: Lidocaine
B: Bretylium
M: Magsulfate
P: Procainamide


"TEAM"

Reducing an anteriorly dislocated shoulder (Kocher's manoeuvre) :

T: Traction.
E: External rotation.
A: Adduction.
M: Medial rotation.


"I AM SCARED"

considerations in RTAs (road traffic accidents) :

I: Impact; e.g. head-on, rear-end.
A: Automobile; versus pedestrian, push bike or motorcycle.
M: Medical history.
S: Speed.
C: Compartment intrusion.
A: Age.
R: Restraints; lap and shoulder, airbag, infant or child seat.
E: Ejection - Extrication.
D: Death; e.g. at scene, within same vehicle.


"APPENDICITIS"

causes of right iliac fossa pain:

A: Appendicitis - Abscess.
P: PID - Period pains.
P: Pancreatitis.
E: Ectopic pregnancy - Endometriosis.
N: Neoplasia.
D: Diverticulitis.
I: Intussusception.
C: Crohn's disease - Cyst (ovarian).
I: IBD.
T: Torsion (ovary).
I: Irritable bowel syndrome.
S: Stones (urolithiasis).


"DIE"

causes of heart block:

D: Drugs; e.g. digoxin, beta blockers..
I: Ischaemia; ischaemic heart diseases i.e MI
E: Electrolytes disturbances e.g. hyperkalaemia



"ATHEROMA"

risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and considered risk factors of MI when the patient is presented with chest pain:

A: Age; more than 65 years old.
T: Tobbaco; heavy smokers.
H: Hypertension - Hyperlipidaemia - Hyperglycaemia.
E: Ethanol; i.e alcohol consumption.
R: Reduced physical activity.
O: Obesity - Oral contraceptive pills.
M: Male gender - Menopause.
A: Atherosclerosis.

any patient has 3 or more risk factors is considered as high risk patient and a complete work up is indicated.




"LOAD"

drugs to be given before intubation:

L: Lidocaine; to decrease the sympathetic discharge and ICP.

O: Opioid; (fentanyl 5.0 mcg/kg) also, to decrease the sympathetic discharge and ICP.

A: Atropine; in paediatrics, to avoid bradycardia.

D: Defasciculating agents e.g. vecuronium, rocuronium.. given 3 to 5 minutes prior to administration of succinylcholine.