Fundamental Topics

Lab Values
Fluid & Electrolytes
Acid-Base
Cardiovascular Topics
Respiratory Topics
Neurological Topics
Musculoskeletal Topics
Gastrointestinal Topics
Genitourinary Topics
Endocrine Topics
Immune Topics
Renal Topics
Nutrition Reminders
Trauma Reminders
OB Reminders
Mental Health Reminders

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 FUNDAMENTAL TOPICS T-urn
C-ough
Steps in the Nursing Process: ADPIE (A D-eep
Delicious PIE) B-breath
A-ssessment
D-iagnosis Bleeding Precautions: RANDI
P-lanning R-azor Electric/ Blades
I-mplementation A-spirin
E-valuaton N-o needles (esp. in small gauge)
D-o decrease in needle sticks)
Activity of Daily Living: BATTED I-njury (Protect from)
B-athing
A-mbulation Nursing Care for Sprains and Strains:
T-oileting RICE
T-ransfers R-est
E-ating I-ce
D-ressing C-ompression
E-levation
Post-Operative Teaching: TCDB

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TDCI (These Drugs Can Interact) H-air growth in various lengths
T-heophyline I-nconsistent stories from the child &
D-ilantin parent/s
C-oumadin L-ow self-esteem
I-osone (Erythromycin) D-epression

Pain Management: SAI A-pathy, no emotion

žS-ubjective: Pain is whatever the patient B-ruised
states it is and it exists when the patient U-nusual injuries
states it exists S-erious injuries
žA-ssessment: involves type, location, E-vidence of old injuries not reported
grading, length of time, description, etc
žInterventions

Warning Signs of a Child Abuse/ Neglect:

CHILD ABUSE
C-hild's excessive knowledge on sex &
abusive words
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LAB VALUE REMINDERS

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FLUID & ELECTROLYTES

Electrolytes: PISO
P-otassium
I-nside
S-odium
O-utside

Hyperkalemia Management: KIND

K-ayexalate (orally/ enema)
I-nsulin
N-a HCO3
D-iuretics (Furosemide & Thiazides)

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 ACID-BASE BALANCE

Acid-Base: ROME
R-espiratory
O-pposite
M-etabolic
E-qual

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 CARDIOVASCULAR TOPICS 4 C's of Hypertension (Complications)
C-oronary Artery Disease
5 P's of Circulatory Checks C-oronary Rheumatic Fever
P-ain C-ongestive Heart Failure
P-aresthesia C-ardio Vascular Accident
P-aralysis
P-ulse Cyanotic Defects: 4 T's
P-allor (Paleness) T-etralogy of Fallot
T-runcus Arteriosus
Hypertension Nursing Care: DIURETIC T-ransportation of the Great Vessels
D-aily Weight T-ricuspid Atresia
I-ntake and Output (I & O)
U-rine Output Immediate Treatment of a Myocardial
R-esponse of BP Infarction Client: MONA
E-lectrolytes M-orphine
T-ake Pulses O-xygen
I-schemic Episodes (TIA) N-itroglycerine
C-omplications: 4C's A-spirin 325 mg

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Management of Myocardial Infarction: F-luids (decrease)
MONATAS A-fterload (decrease)
M-orphine S-odium restriction
O-xygen T-est (Dig level, ABGs, K level)
N-itrates (Nitroglycerin)
A-spirin (ASA) Right-Sided Heart Failure: HEAD
T-hormbolytics H-epatomegaly
A-nti-Coagulants E-dema (Bipedal)
S-tool Softeners A-scites
D-istended Neck Vein
Treating CHF: UNLOAD FAST
U-pright Position Left-Sided Heart Failure: CHOP
N-itrates (in low dose) C-ough
L-asix H-emoptysis
O-xygen O-rthopnea
A-minophylline P-ulmonary Congestion (crackles/ rales)
D-igoxin

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 RESPIRATORY TOPICS Symptoms of Hypoxia: RAT BED
6 P's of Dyspnea Early Hypoxia:
P-ulmonary Bronchial Constriction R-estlessness
P-ossible Foreign Body A-nxiety
P-ulmonary Embolus T-achycardia/ Tachypnea
P-neumothorax
P-ump Failure Late Hypoxia:
P-neumonia B-radycardia
E-xtreme Restlessness
Pulmonary Edema: MAD DOG D-yspnea
M-orphine
A-minophylline Symptoms of Hypoxia (in Pediatrics):
D-igitalis FINES
F-eeding difficulty
D-iuretics (Lasix) I-nspiratory Stridor
O-xygen N-ares Flares
G-ases (Blood Gases ABG's) E-xpiratory Grunting
S-ternal Retractions

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Management of ASTHMA
A-drenergics (Albuterol)
S-teroids
T-heophylline
H-ydration (IV)
M-ask (Oxygen)
A-ntibiotics

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 NEUROLOGICAL TOPICS Cranial Nerve Mnemonics (Sensory,
Motor or Both)
Cranial Nerve Mnemonic S-ome
O-n (Olfactory) S-ay
O-ld (Optic) M-arry
O-lympus (Oculomotor) M-oney
T-owering (Trochlear) B-ut
T-ops (Trigeminal) M-y
A-a (Abducens) B-rother
F-in (Facial) S-ays
A-and (Auditory/Vestibulocochlear) B-ad
G-erman (Glossopharyngeal) B-usiness
V-iewed (Vagus) M-arry
S-ome (Spinal Accessory) M-oney
H-ops (Hypoglossal)
Intracranial Pressure

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 MUSCULOSKELETAL TOPICS Canes and Walkers: WWAL (Wandering
Wilma's Always Late)
Care of Client in Traction: TRACTION W-alker
T-emperature (Extremity, Infection) W-ith
R-opes hang freely A-ffected
A-lignment L-eg
C-irculation Check (5 P's)
T-ype & Location of fracture Osteoporosis Risk Factors: ACCESS
I-ncrease fluide intake A-lcohol Use
O-verhead trapeze C-orticosteroid Use
N-o weights on bed or floor C-alcium low
E-strogen low
Canes and Walkers: COAL S-moking
C-ane S-edentary lifestyle/s
O-pposite
A-ffected ACCESS leads to OSTEOPOROSIS
L-Leg

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 GASTROINTESTINAL TOPICS

Promotion of Normal Elimination:

POOPER SCOOP
P-osition
O-utput
O-ffer Fluids
P-rivacy
E-xercise
R-eport Results

S-ize (Amount)
C-onsistency
O-ccult Blood
O-dor
P-eristalsis

GI Bleeding

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 GENITOURINARY TOPICS ENDOCRINE TOPICS

Common Causes of Transient Hypoglycemia: TIRED

Incontinence: DIAPPERS T-achycardia
D-elirium I-rritability
I-nfection R-estless
A-trophic Urethra E-xcessive Hunger
P-harmaceuticals D-iaphoresis/ Depression
P-sychologic
E-xcess Urine Output Cool and Clammy – Need some candy
R-estricted Mobility Hot and Dry – Sugar high
S-tool Impaction
3 P's of Diabetes Mellitus - Type 1 Signs
Prostate Problems are no...FUN & Symptoms
F- Frequency P-olyuria (excessive urination)
U- Urgency P-olydypsia (excessive thirst)
N- Nocturia P-olyphagia (excessive hunger)

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Exercise Guide for Diabetic Fitness: FIT
F-requency (3x per week)
I-ntensity (60-80% of Maximal Heart Rate)
T-ime (Aerobic Activity)

Insulin Regimen

Adrenal Gland Hormones: SSS

S-ugar (Glucocorticoids)
S-alt (Mineralcorticoids)
S-ex (Androgens)

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 IMMUNE TOPICS U-nexplained weight loss
P-ernicious Anemia
Inflammation: HIPER
H-eat CANCER Interventions: CANCER
I-nduration C-omfort
P-ain A-ltered Body Image
E-dema N-utrition
R-edness C-hemotherapy
E-valuate response to meds
CANCER'S Early Warning Signs: R-espite for caretakers
CAUTION UP
C-hange in bowel or bladder
A-lesion that does not heal
U-nusual bleeding or discharge
T-hickening or lump in breast or elsewhere
I-ndigestion or difficulty swallowing
O-bvious changes in wart or mole
N-agging cough or persisten hoarseness

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 RENAL TOPICS
Acute Renal Failure: PIP
žP-rerenal: Reduced renal blood flow
žI-ntrarenal: Acute tubular necrosis
žP-ostrenal: Urinary tract obstruction
ž**Clinical Course: Prerenal and postrenal
etiologies usually resolve quickly
**Involves Oliguiric, diuretic and recovery
phases
Chronic Renal Failure: PIGS
žP-rogressive
I-rreversible loss of kidney function
žG-FR < 60mL/min for 3 months
žS-ystemic disease
ž**80% of GFR lost before symptoms
apparent
ž**90% nephron function lost before
symptoms apparent
ž**Prognosis depends on: patient condition,
age, and comorbidities
Dialyis: SOD
žS-olutes and water move across the
semipermeable membrane from the blood or
dialysate into the dialysate or blood
žO-smosis: movement of fluid from an area
of lesser concentration to an area of higher
concentration
D-iffusion: movement of solutes from an
area of greater concentration to a lesser
concentration
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Dialysis - Who needs dialysis? (Check the
vowels: AEIOU)
A-cid-Base Problems
E-lectrolyte Problems
I-ntoxications
O-verload of fluids
U-remic Symptoms

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 NUTRITION REMINDERS
Eating Disorder: ANOREXIA
A-menorrhea delayed
N-o organic factors accounts for weight loss
O-bviously thin but feels FAT
R-efusal to maintain normal body weight
E-pigastric discomfort is common
X-symptoms (peculiar symptoms)
I-ntense fears of gaining weight
A-lways thinking of foods
I-ncrease/Persistent concern of body
size/shape
A-buse of diuretics & laxatives
Findings of a Bulimia client: WASHED
W-eight loss of 15% of original body weight
A-menorrhea
S-ocial withdrawal
H-istory of high activity & achievement
E-lectrolyte Imbalance
D-epression/ Distorted Body Image

Eating Disorder: BULIMIA BRAT Diet (for severe dehydration)

B-inge eating B-anana
U-nder strict dieting R-ice
L-acks control over-eating A-pple
I-nduced vomiting T-oasted Bread
M-inimum of to binge eating episodes

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Gluten Free Diet: ROW
R-Rye
O-Oats
W-Wheat

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 TRAUMA REMINDERS E-vents Surrounding Injury
Emergency Trauma Assessment:
ABCDEFGHI Complications of Trauma Client:
A-irway TRAUMATIC
B-reathing T-issue Perfusion Problems
C-irculation R-espiratory Problems
D-isability A-nxiety
E-xamine U-nstable Clotting Factors
F-ahrenheit M-alnutrition
G-et Vitals A-ltered Body Image
H-ead to Toe Assessment T-hromboembolism
I-ntervention I-nfection
C-oping Problems
Trauma Surgery: AMPLE (after initial
assessment) Emergency Drugs to LEAN on
A-llergies L-idocaine
M-edications E-pinephrine
P-ast Medical History A-tropine Sulfate
L-ast Meal N-arcan

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Lidocaine Toxicity: SAMS
S-lurred Speech
A-ltered Central Nervous System
M-uscle Twitching
S-eizures

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 OB REMINDERS O-xytocin Test
OB Non-Stress Test: NNN N-on-Stress Test
3 negatives in a row to interpret results of E-striol Level
Non-Stress Test
N-on reactive Post-Partum Assessment: BUBBLE
N-on Stress is B-reasts
N-ot good U-terus
B-owels
Severe Pre-Eclampsia: HELLP B-ladder
H-emolysis L-ochia
E-levated E-pisiotomy/lateration/C-section incision
L-iver function tests
L-ow
P-latelet count

Assessment Tests for Fetal Well-Being:

ALONE
A-mniocentesis
L-L/S Ratio

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 MENTAL HEALTH REMINDERS Assess Changes in Senile Dementia:
5 A's to Alzheimer Diagnosis JAMCO
A-mnesia J-udgment
A-nomia A-ffect
A-praxia M-emory
A-gnosia C-ognition
A-phasia O-rientation

DEMENTIA Major Symptoms of a Manic Attack: DIG

Make sure they don't have problems with: FAST
D-rug and alcohol D-istractibility
E-yes and ears I-ndiscretion
M-etabolic and endocrine disorders G-randiosity
E-motional disorders
N-eurologic disorders F-light of Ideas
T-umors and trauma A-ctivity Increase
I-nfection S-leep Deficit
A-rteriovascular disease T-alkative

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Depression Assessment: SIG
S-leep Disturbances
I-nterest Decreased
G-uilty Feelings

Outcome of Alcoholism: BAD

B-rain Damage
A-lcoholic Hallucinosis
D-eath

5 D's of Behavioral Problems of

Alcoholism
D-enial
D-ependency
D-emanding
D-estructive
D-omineerin

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