Mnemonics can be a great learning tool for nurses. Here is a list of 38 nursing mnemonics for some of the most common disease processes you need to know. If you learn these while in nursing school they will provide you with a base of knowledge to draw from once you are working on the floor as a nurse.
For each mnemonic we have linked an associated podcast episode from our Nursing Mnemonics podcast. Just below the image for the memory tool you will find the link to the episode.
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You can listen on the computer, your phone (Android or iPhone), tablet, or any device.
Our goal with this list is to give you an extra tool to help you excel as a nurse. You should never rely on memory tricks and hacks to do you job as a nurse, but they can be helpful in learning the information and committing it to memory.
38 Must Know Nursing Mnemonics
1. Hypokalemia
- Lethargy
- Leg Cramps
- Limp Muscles
- Low, Shallow Respirations
- Lethal Cardiac Dysrhythmias
- Lots of Urine
2. Hyponatremia
- Stupor/Coma
- Anorexia, N&V
- Lethargy
- Tendon Reflexes decreased
- Limp Muscles(weakness)
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Seizure/headache
- Stomach cramping
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Listen to Full Lesson Here
3. Electrolytes Location
- Potassium
- Inside the cell
- Sodium
- Outside the cell
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4. Acidosis Alkalosis
- Alkalosis has a K, therefore it is kicking the pH UP!
- Acidosis has a D, therefore it is dropping the pH DOWN!
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5. Beta Blockers
- Beta 1: Heart
- Beta 2: Lungs
- You have one heart and two lungs
6. Bradycardia
- Isoproterenol
- Dopamine
- Epinephrine
- Atropine Sulfate
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7. Anticholinergics-side effects
- Can’t see – blurred vision
- Can’t pee – urinary retention
- Can’t spit – dry mouth
- Can’t s*** – constipation
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8. Cholinergics Crisis Signs and Symptoms
- Salivation
- Lacrimation
- Urination
- Defecation
- Gastric upset
- Emesis
Listen to the full episode here.
9. Drug Interactions
- Theophylline
- Dilan
- Coumadin
- Ilosone(Erythromycin)
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10. Emergency Drugs
- Lidocaine
- Epinephrine
- Atropine Sulfate
- Narcan
Listen to the full episode here.
11. Lidocaine Toxicity
- Slurred Speech
- Altered Central Nervous System
- Muscle Twitching
- Seizures
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12. ADLs(Activity of Daily Living)
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13. Body System
- Muscular
- Respiratory
- Endocrine
- Circulatory
- Integumentary
- Digestive
- Reproductive
- Urinary
- Nervous
- Skeletal
Listen to the full episode here.
14. CANES
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15. ECG Lead Placement(BEEP)
Listen to the full episode here.
16. ECG Lead Placement
- White – Right
- Clouds over Grass(white over green)
- Smoke over fire(black over red)
- Chocolate on the stomach(brown)
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17. IADLs
- Shopping
- Cooking and Cleaning
- Using telephone or transportation
- Managing money and medications
Listen to the full episode here.
18. Steps in the Nursing Process
- Assessment
- Diagnosis
- Planning
- Implementation
- Evaluation
Listen to the full episode here.
19. Sprains and Strains
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevation
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20. Traction
- Temperature(Extremity, infection)
- Rope hangs freely
- Alignment
- Circulation Check (5Ps)
- Type and location of fracture
- Increase fluid intake
- Overhead trapeze
- No weights on bed or floor
Listen to the full episode here.
21. Steroids
- Sugar – hyperglycemia
- Soggy bones- causes osteoporosis
- Sick- decreased immunity
- Sad – depression
- Salt- water and salt retention(hypertension)
- Sex – decreased libido
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22. Vitamins – Fat Soluble
- All Dogs Eat Kibbles
- Vitamins A, D ,E, K
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23. Adrenal Gland Hormones
- Sugar(Glucocorticoids)
- Salt(Mineralcorticoids)
- Sex(Androgens)
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24. Alzheimer – Diagnosis
- Amnesia
- Anomia
- Apraxia
- Agnosia
- Aphasia
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25. AMS – possible cause
- Alcohol/drugs
- Endocrine
- Insulin
- Overdose
- Uremia
- Trauma
- Infection
- Psychiatric
- Shock
26. Arterial Blood Gases
- Respiratory
- Opposite
- Metabolic
- Equal
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27. Appendicitis
- Pain (RLQ)
- Anorexia
- Increased temp, WBC (15,000 – 20,000)
- Nausea
- Signs(McBurney’s, Psoas)
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28. Asthma
- Adrenergic(Albuterol)
- Steroids
- Theophylline
- Hydration(IV)
- Mask(Oxygen)
- Antibiotics
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29. Bleeding Precautions
- Razor Electric/Blades
- Aspirin
- Needles-small gauge
- Decrease needle sticks
- Injury (Protect from)
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30. Cancer – Early warning signs
- Change in bowel or bladder
- A lesion that does not heal
- Unusual bleeding or discharge
- Thickening/lump in breast or elsewhere
- Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
- Obvious changes in wart or mole
- Nagging cough or persistent hoarseness
- Unexplained weight loss
- Pernicious Anemia
Listen to the full episode here.
31. Cardiac Valves Blood Flow
- Tricuspid
- Pulmonic
- Mitrial
- Aortic
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32. CHF Treatment
- U sit Upright
- Nitro
- Lasix
- Oxygen
- Aminophylline
- Digoxin
- Fluid – decrease
- Afterload-decrease
- Sodium -decrease
- Test: dig level,ABC, K+
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Listen to the full episode here.
33. Cholinergic Crisis
- Salivation
- Lacrimation
- Urination
- Defecation
34. Cor Pulmonale
- Peripheral edema
- Raised JVP
- Hepatomegaly
- Tricuspid incompetence
36. Dyspnea
- Pulmonary Bronchial Constriction
- Possible Foreign Body
- Pulmonary Embolus
- Pneumothorax
- Pump Failure
- Pneumonia
37. Epiglottis
- Airway closed
- Increased Pulse
- Restlessness
- Retractions – occur when the muscles between the ribs pull inward
- Anxiety increased
- Inspiratory Stridor – high-pitched breath sound caused by turbulent airflow in the larynx
- Drooling
38. Dementia
Make sure they don’t have problems with:
- Drug and alcohol
- Eyes and ears
- Metabolic and Endocrine disorders
- Emotional disorder
- Neurologic disorders
- Tumors and trauma
- Infection
- Arteriovascular disease
Your Turn
Do you have a favorite nursing mnemonics that we didn’t list here? Share it below for all of us to learn from . . .
