Nursing Mnemonics
Medications/Pharm
Pathophysiology
Nursing Managment/Assessment
Lab Interpretation
100
RICE
What is Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation?
100
This widely used over-the-counter medication (also sold under common brand names) is taken to reduce fever and relieve mild to moderate pain, but must be used cautiously in patients with liver disease, and overdose can lead to serious liver toxicity.
What is acetaminophen/tylenol?
100
!! DAILY DOUBLE !!
This condition is identified when a patient’s body temperature rises above normal, such as a reading of 38.6°C, indicating an abnormally elevated body temperature.
What is hyperthermia?
100
In nursing assessment, these key measurements are routinely monitored to evaluate a patient’s basic physiological status, including heart rate, breathing, circulation, and temperature.
What are vital signs (temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation)?
100
This electrolyte imbalance is identified on lab interpretation by elevated serum potassium levels, often associated with ECG changes such as peaked T waves and risks of cardiac arrhythmias.
What is hyperkalemia?
200
SOAPIE
What is Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan, Intervention, and Evaluation ?
200
!! DAILY DOUBLE!!
This loop diuretic (commonly known by a well-known brand name) is used to treat fluid overload in conditions like heart failure and edema, but can cause electrolyte imbalances such as low potassium and is contraindicated in severe dehydration.
What is furosemide/lasix?
200
This condition is identified in nursing assessment through persistently elevated blood pressure readings and requires ongoing monitoring of vital signs to prevent complications such as stroke or heart disease.
What is hypertension?
200
In an emergency situation where a patient is found on the floor, this initial priority assessment framework guides immediate evaluation and intervention.
What are ABCs (assessing airway, breathing, and circulation)?
200
In lab interpretation for suspected heart failure and cardiac involvement, these commonly assessed tests help evaluate cardiac strain and injury. (2 answers)
What are BNP (or ANP), CBC, and troponin?
300
PQRST
What is Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, and Timing?
300
This atypical antipsychotic (commonly known by a well-known brand name) is used to treat conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder, but may cause sedation, weight gain, and metabolic side effects, and should be used cautiously in patients at risk for diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
What is quetiapine/seroquel?
300
In nursing assessment, this group refers to three commonly confused cognitive conditions often screened together in older adults.
What are the 3 D’s (delirium, dementia, and depression)?
300
In cardiac assessment, this refers to the six standard auscultation areas used to evaluate heart sounds across different valve regions.
What are apical, pulmonic, Erb’s point, tricuspid, mitral, and epigastric?
300
In lab interpretation for suspected infection, these tests are commonly used to assess for inflammation, immune response, and potential sources of infection. (2 answers)
What are urinalysis/culture, CBC, and CRP?
400
PERRLA
What is Pupils, Equal, Round, Reactive to Light, and Accommodation?
400
This low molecular weight anticoagulant is used to prevent and treat blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis, but increases the risk of bleeding and is used cautiously in patients with thrombocytopenia or active bleeding. (Needs cosign)
What is dalteparin/fragmin?
400
This stage of a pressure injury is characterized by full-thickness skin loss, where adipose (fat) tissue may be visible, but bone, tendon, or muscle are not exposed.
What is Stage 3?
400
This abnormal lung sound is characterized by soft, high-pitched, brief discontinuous popping sounds, often heard at the end of inspiration and associated with fluid in the alveoli.
What are fine crackles?
400
This lab value range for hemoglobin commonly indicates the need for a blood transfusion, depending on patient condition and symptoms.
What is 70–85 g/L hemoglobin?
500
SAMPLE
What is Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past Medical History, Last Oral Intake, Events?
500
This vasodilator is used to treat hypertension and heart failure, but may cause reflex tachycardia and drug-induced lupus–like syndrome, and should be used cautiously in patients with coronary artery disease.
What is hydralazine/apresoline?
500
This acute coronary syndrome presents with new or worsening chest pain that may occur at rest or with minimal exertion, is not fully relieved by rest or nitroglycerin, and occurs without ST-segment elevation or elevated cardiac biomarkers.
What is unstable angina?
500
!! DAILY DOUBLE !!
In safe medication administration, this refers to the ten essential checks nurses follow to ensure accuracy and patient safety.
What are right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, right documentation, right reason, right evaluation, right education, and right to refuse?
500
This ABG pattern shows a pH of 7.48, HCO₃⁻ of 32 mEq/L, and PaCO₂ of 48 mmHg. What is the ABG interpretation?
What is partially compensated metabolic alkalosis?