MEDICAL MNEMONICS

FOR

MEDICINE & SURGERY

Pancytopaenia differential
"All Of My Blood Has Taken Some Poison":
Aplastic anaemias
Overwhelming sepsis
Megaloblastic anaemias
Bone marrow infiltration
Hypersplenism
TB
SLE
Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria

Sickle cell disease complications

SICKLE:
Strokes/ Swelling of hands and feet/ Spleen problems
Infections/ Infarctions
Crises (painful, sequestration, aplastic)/ Cholelithiasis/ Chest syndrome/ Chronic
hemolysis/ Cardiac problems
Kidney disease
Liver disease/ Lung problems
Erection (priapism)/ Eye problems (retinopathy)

Anion gap metabolic acidosis: causes

A MUDPILE CAT:
Alcohol
Methanol
Uremia
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Paraldehyde
Iron/ Isoniazid
Lactic acidosis
Ethylene glycol
Carbamazepine
Aspirin
Toluene

Metabolic acidosis: causes

USED CAR:
Ureteroenterostomy
Saline hydration
Endocrinopathies (hyperparathyroid, hyperthyroid, Addison's)
Diarrhea/ DKA/ Drugs
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
Ammonium chloride
Renal tubular acidosis
· Alternatively: USED CARP, to include Parenteral nutrition/ Pancreatic fistula.

 
Non-gap acidosis: causes
HARD UP:
Hyperalimentation
Acetazolamide (carbonic anhydrase inhibitors)
RTA
Diarrhea
Ureterosigmoidostomy
Pancreatic fistula
Toxicity/ sepsis: signs
6 T's:
Tachycardia
Tachypnoea
Tremors
Toxic look
Tiredness
Temperature (fever)

Macrocytic anemia: causes

ABCDEF:
Alcohol + liver disease
B12 deficiency
Compensatory reticulocytosis (blood loss and haemolysis)
Drug (cytotoxic and AZT)/ Dysplasia (marrow problems)
Endocrine (hypothyroidism)
Folate deficiency/ Fetus (pregnancy)

Metabolic acidosis: causes

KUSSMAL:
Ketoacidosis
Uraemia
Sepsis
Salicylates
Methanol
Alcohol
Lactic acidosis

Raynaud's disease: causes

BAD CT:
Blood disorders (eg polycythaemia)
Arterial (eg atherosclerosis, Buerger's)
Drugs (eg beta-blockers)
Connective tissue disorders (rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, CREST)
Traumatic (eg vibration injury)

Ulcers: types
VAN:
Venous/ Vasculitic
Arterial
Neuropathic

Anemia: non-megaloblastic causes of macrocytic anemia

HAND LAMP:
Hypothyroidism
Aplastic anaemia
Neonates
Drugs
Liver disease
Alcohol
Myelodyplasia
Pregnancy
 
NSAIDs: contraindications
NSAID:
Nursing and pregnancy
Serious bleeding
Allergy/ Asthma/ Angioedema
Impaired renal function
Drug (anticoagulant)

ACEI: contraindictions
PARK:
Pregnancy
Allergy
Renal artery stenosis
K increase (hyperkalemia)

Gynecomastia: common causes

GYNECOMASTIA:
Genetic Gender disorder (Klinefelter)
Young boy (pubertal)*
Neonate*
Estrogen
Cirrhosis/ Cimetidine/ Ca Channel blockers
Old age*
Marijuana
Alcoholism
Spironolactone
Tumors (Testicular & adrenal)
Isoniazid/ Inhibition of testosterone
Antineoplastics (Alkylating Agents)/ Antifungal(ketoconazole)
· * Asterisk indicates physiologic cause.
 
Hypercalcemia causes
MD PIMPS ME:
Malignancy
Diuretics (thiazide the main culprit)
Parathyroid (hyperparathyroidism)
Immobilization/ Idiopathic
Megadoses of vitamins A,D
Paget's disease
Sarcoidosis
Milk alkali syndrome
Endocrine (Addison's disease, thyrotoxicosis)
 
Hypercalcemia: causes
GRIM FED:
Granulomas (sarcoid, TB),
Renal faliure
Immobility (esp. long term)
Malignancy
Familial (eg familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia)
Endocrine (see below for subtypes)
Drugs (esp. thiazide diuretics, lithium)
· Endocrine causes are PATH:
Phaeochromocytoma
Addison's disease
Thyrotoxicosis
Hyperparathyroidism
Hypercalcemia: differential
VITAMIN TRAPS:
Vitamin A and D intoxication
Immobilization
Thyrotoxicosis
Addison's disease/ Acidosis
Milk-alkali syndrome
Inflammatory disorders
Neoplastic disease
Thiazides, other drugs
Rhabdomyolysis
AIDS
Paget's disease/ Parenteral nutrition/ Parathyroid disease
Sarcoidosis

Thyroid storm: initial management

PCP'S:
PTU - 1 gm po
Corticosteroids
Propranolol
SSKI

Acromegaly symptoms
ABCDEF:
Arthralgia/ Arthritis
Blood pressure raised
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Diabetes
Enlargemed organs
Field defect

Alkalosis: metabolic changes in alkalosis

"Al-K-loss, Al-Ca-loss":
There is loss of K+ (hypokalemia) and Ca++ (hypocalcemia) in state of alkalosis.

SIADH: diagnostic sign

Syndrome of INAPPropriate Anti-Diuretic Hormone:
Increased
Na (sodium)
PP (urine)
· SIADH is characterized by increased urinary sodium.
 
Renal failure (acute): management
Manage AEIOU:
Anemia/ Acidosis
Electrolyte and fluids
Infections
Other measures (eg nutrition, nausea, vomiting
Uremia

SIADH: major signs and symptoms

SIADH:
Spasms
Isn't any pitting edema (key DDx)
Anorexia
Disorientation (and other psychoses)
Hyponatremia
Allopurinol: indications
STORE:
Stones (history of renal stones)
Tophaceous gout (chronic)
Over-producers of urate
Renal disease
Elderly
· Bonus: Probenecid indications are basically the opposite of STORE (no renal
stone history, etc.).

SIADH: causes
SIADH:
Surgery
Intracranial: infection, head injury, CVA
Alveolar: Ca, pus
Drugs: opiates,antiepileptics, cytotoxics, anti-psychotics
Hormonal: hypothyroid, low corticosteroid level
 
Dialysis indications
HAVE PEE:
Hyperkalemia (refractory)
Acidosis (refractory)
Volume overload
Elevated BUN (> 36 mM)
Pericarditis
Encephalopathy
Edema (pulmonary)

Polycythemia Rubra Vera (PRV): common symptoms

PRV:
Plethora/ Pruritus
Ringing in ears
Visual blurriness

Eosinophilia: differential
NAACP:
Neoplasm
Allergy/ Asthma
Addison's disease
Collagen vascular diseases
Parasites

Splenomegaly: causes
CHICAGO:
Cancer
Haematological (PRV)
Infection
Congestion (portal hypertension)
Autoimmune (RA, SLE)
Glycogen storage disorders
Other (amyloidosis)

SLE: factors that make SLE active

UV PRISM:
UV (sunshine)
Pregnancy
Reduced drug (eg steroid)
Infection
Stress
More drug

Abdominal pain: medical causes

"ABDOMENAL PANE" [abdominal pain]:
Acute rheumatic fever
Blood [purpura, a/c hemolytic crisis]
DKA
cOllagen vascular disease
Migraine [abdominal migraine]
Epilepsy [abdominal epilepsy]
Nephron [uremia]
Abdominal angina
Lead
Porphyria
Arsenic
NSAID's
Enteric fever

Haemobilia: features
MOB:
Melaena
Obstructive jaundice
Biliary colic

Ileus: causes
MD SPUGERS:
Mesenteric ischemia
Drugs (see below)
Surgical (post-op)
Peritonitis/ Pancreatitis (sentinnel loop)
Unresolved mechanical obstruction (eg mass, intussusception, blockage)
Gram negative sepsis
Electrolyte imbalance (eg hypokalemia)
Retroperitoneal bleed or hematoma
Spinal or pelvic fracture
· Drugs are Aluminum hydroxide, Ba++, Ca carbonate, opiates, TCA, verapamil.

Aortic stenosis characteristics

SAD:
Syncope
Angina
Dyspnoea

MI: basic management

BOOMAR:
Bed rest
Oxygen
Opiate
Monitor
Anticoagulate
Reduce clot size

ECG: left vs. right bundle block

"WiLLiaM MoRRoW":
W pattern in V1-V2 and M pattern in V3-V6 is Left bundle block.
M pattern in V1-V2 and W in V3-V6 is Right bundle block.
· Note: consider bundle branch blocks when QRS complex is wide.

Pericarditis: causes
CARDIAC RIND:
Collagen vascular disease
Aortic aneurysm
Radiation
Drugs (such as hydralazine)
Infections
Acute renal failure
Cardiac infarction
Rheumatic fever
Injury
Neoplasms
Dressler's syndrome

Murmurs: systolic types

SAPS:
Systolic
Aortic
Pulmonic
Stenosis
· Systolic murmurs include aortic and pulmonary stenosis.
· Similarly, it's common sense that if it is aortic and pulmonary stenosis it could
also be mitral and tricusp regurgitation].

MI: signs and symptoms

PULSE:
Persistent chest pains
Upset stomach
Lightheadedness
Shortness of breath
Excessive sweating

Heart compensatory mechanisms that 'save' organ blood flow

during shock
"Heart SAVER":
Symphatoadrenal system
Atrial natriuretic factor
Vasopressin
Endogenous digitalis-like factor
Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
· In all 5, system is activated/factor is released

Murmurs: right vs. left loudness

"RILE":
Right sided heart murmurs are louder on Inspiration.
Left sided heart murmurs are loudest on Expiration.
· If get confused about which is which, remember LIRE=liar which will be
inherently false.

ST elevation causes in ECG

ELEVATION:
Electrolytes
LBBB
Early repolarization
Ventricular hypertrophy
Aneurysm
Treatment (eg pericardiocentesis)
Injury (AMI, contusion)
Osborne waves (hypothermia)
Non-occlusive vasospasm

Beck's triad (cardiac tamponade)

3 D's:
Distant heart sounds
Distended jugular veins
Decreased arterial pressure

Malignant melanoma: 3 sites with poor prognosis

BANS:
Back of Arm
Neck
Scalp

Albinism: type I vs. II classification

"One has None. Two Accumulates":
Type I: have no pigment.
Type II: No pigment at birth, but accumulates as person ages.

Generalized skin hyperpigmentation: causes

"With generalized, none of skin is SPARED":
Sunlight
Pregnancy
Addison's disease
Renal failure
Excess iron (haemochromatosis)
Drugs (eg busulphan)

MI: therapeutic treatment

ROAMBAL:
Reassure
Oxygen
Aspirin
Morphine (diamorphine)
Beta blocker
Arthroplasty
Lignocaine

CHF: causes of exacerbation

FAILURE:
Forgot medication
Arrhythmia/ Anaemia
Ischaemia/ Infarction/ Infection
Lifestyle: taken too much salt
Upregulation of CO: pregnancy, hyperthyroidism
Renal failure
Embolism: pulmonary

Murmurs: systolic vs. diastolic

PASS: Pulmonic & Aortic Stenosis=Systolic.
PAID: Pulmonic & Aortic Insufficiency=Diastolic.
Murmurs: systolic vs. diastolic
Systolic murmurs: MR AS: "MR. ASner".
Diastolic murmurs: MS AR: "MS. ARden".
· The famous people with those surnames are Mr. Ed Asner and Ms. Jane Arden.

MI: therapeutic treatment

"O BATMAN!":
Oxygen
Beta blocker
ASA
Thrombolytics (eg heparin)
Morphine
Ace prn
Nitroglycerin

Mitral stenosis (MS) vs. regurgitation (MR): epidemiology

MS is a female title (Ms.) and it is female predominant.
MR is a male title (Mr.) and it is male predominant.

Pericarditis: ECG
"PericarditiS":
PR depression in precordial leads.
ST elevation.

Jugular venous pressure (JVP) elevation: causes

HOLT: Grab Harold Holt around the neck and throw him in the ocean:
Heart failure
Obstruction of venea cava
Lymphatic enlargement - supraclavicular
Intra-Thoracic pressure increase

MI: therapeutic treatment

MONAH:
Morphine
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Aspirin
Heparin

Depressed ST-segment: causes

DEPRESSED ST:
Drooping valve (MVP)
Enlargement of LV with strain
Potassium loss (hypokalemia)
Reciprocal ST- depression (in I/W AMI)
Embolism in lungs (pulmonary embolism)
Subendocardial ischemia
Subendocardial infarct
Encephalon haemorrhage (intracranial haemorrhage)
Dilated cardiomyopathy
Shock
Toxicity of digitalis, quinidine

Murmurs: innocent murmur features

8 S's:
Soft
Systolic
Short
Sounds (S1 & S2) normal
Symptomless
Special tests normal (X-ray, EKG)
Standing/ Sitting (vary with position)
Sternal depression

Murmur attributes
"IL PQRST" (person has ill PQRST heart waves):
Intensity
Location
Pitch
Quality
Radiation
Shape
Timing

Murmurs: locations and descriptions

"MRS A$$":
MRS: Mitral Regurgitation--Systolic
A$$: Aortic Stenosis--Systolic
· The other two murmurs, Mitral stenosis and Aortic regurgitation, are obviously
diastolic.

Betablockers: cardioselective betablockers

"Betablockers Acting Exclusively At Myocardium"
· Cardioselective betablockers are:
Betaxolol
Acebutelol
Esmolol
Atenolol
Metoprolol

Apex beat: abnormalities found on palpation, causes of

impalpable
HILT:
Heaving
Impalpable
Laterally displaced
Thrusting/ Tapping
· If it is impalpable, causes are COPD:
COPD
Obesity
Pleural, Pericardial effusion
Dextrocardia

MI: treatment of acute MI

COAG:
Cyclomorph
Oxygen
Aspirin
Glycerol trinitrate

Coronary artery bypass graft: indications

DUST:
Depressed ventricular function
Unstable angina
Stenosis of the left main stem
Triple vessel disease

Peripheral vascular insufficiency: inspection criteria

SICVD:
Symmetry of leg musculature
Integrity of skin
Color of toenails
Varicose veins
Distribution of hair

Rheumatic fever: Revised Jones' criteria

JONES crITERIA:
· Major criteria:
Joint (arthritis)
Obvious (Cardiac)
Nodule (Rheumatic)
Erythema marginatum
Sydenham chorea
· Minor criteria:
Inflammatory cells (leukocytosis)
Temperature (fever)
ESR/CRP elevated
Raised PR interval
Itself (previous Hx of Rheumatic fever)
Arthralgia

Heart murmurs
"hARD ASS MRS. MSD":
hARD: Aortic Regurg = Diastolic
ASS: Aortic Stenosis = Systolic
MRS: Mitral Regurg = Systolic
MSD: Mitral Stenosis = Diastolic

Sino-atrial node: innervation

Sympathetic acts on Sodium channels (SS).
Parasympathetic acts on Potassium channels (PS).

Supraventricular tachycardia: treatment

ABCDE:
Adenosine
Beta-blocker
Calcium channel antagonist
Digoxin
Excitation (vagal stimulation)

Ventricular tachycardia: treatment

LAMB:
Lidocaine
Amiodarone
Mexiltene/ Magnesium
Beta-blocker

Rheumatic fever: Revised Jones criteria

JONES PEACE:
· Major criteria:
Joints: migratory
O (heart shaped) Carditis: new onset murmur
Nodules, subcutaneous: extensor surfaces
Erythema marginatum
Sydenham's chorea
· Minor criteria:
PR interval, prolonged
ESR elevated
Arthralgias
CRP elevated
Elevated temperature (fever)
· Need 2 major or 1 major and 2 minor criteria, plus evidence of recent GAS
infection (throat cx, rapid antigen test, or rising strep antibody titer).

Pulseless electrical activity: causes

PATCH MED:
Pulmonary embolus
Acidosis
Tension pneumothorax
Cardiac tamponade
Hypokalemia/ Hyperkalemia/ Hypoxia/ Hypothermia/ Hypovolemia
Myocardial infarction
Electrolyte derangements
Drugs

Sinus bradycardia: aetiology

"SINUS BRADICARDIA" (sinus bradycardia):
Sleep
Infections (myocarditis)
Neap thyroid (hypothyroid)
Unconsciousness (vasovagal syncope)
Subnormal temperatures (hypothermia)
Biliary obstruction
Raised CO2 (hypercapnia)
Acidosis
Deficient blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Imbalance of electrolytes
Cushing's reflex (raised ICP)
Aging
Rx (drugs, such as high-dose atropine)
Deep anaesthesia
Ischemic heart disease
Athletes

Rheumatic fever: Jones criteria

· Major criteria: CANCER:
Carditis
Arthritis
Nodules
Chorea
Erythema
Rheumatic anamnesis
· Minor criteria: CAFE PAL:
CRP increased
Arthralgia
Fever
Elevated ESR
Prolonged PR interval
Anamnesis of rheumatism
Leucocytosis
JVP: wave form
ASK ME:
Atrial contraction
Systole (ventricular contraction)
Klosure (closure) of tricusps, so atrial filling
Maximal atrial filling
Emptying of atrium

Coronary artery bypass graft: indications

DUST:
Depressed ventricular function
Unstable angina
Stenosis of the left main stem
Triple vessel disease

Exercise stress test (Ramp treadmill) ECG: contraindications

RAMP:
Recent MI
Aortic stenosis
MI in the last 7 days
Pulmonary hypertension

ECG: T wave inversion causes

INVERT:
Ischemia
Normality [esp. young, black]
Ventricular hypertrophy
Ectopic foci [eg calcified plaques]
RBBB, LBBB
Treatments [digoxin]

Rheumatic fever: Jones major criteria

JONES:
Joints (migrating polyarthritis)
Obvious, the heart (carditis, pancarditis, pericarditis, endocarditis or valvulits)
Nodes (subcutaneous nodules)
Erythema marginatum
Sydenham's chorea

Myocardial infarctions: treatment

INFARCTIONS:
IV access
Narcotic analgesics (eg morphine, pethidine)
Facilities for defibrillation (DF)
Aspirin/ Anticoagulant (heparin)
Rest
Converting enzyme inhibitor
Thrombolysis
IV beta blocker
Oxygen 60%
Nitrates
Stool Softeners

Atrial fibrillation: causes

PIRATES:
Pulmonary: PE, COPD
Iatrogenic
Rheumatic heart: mirtral regurgitation
Atherosclerotic: MI, CAD
Thyroid: hyperthyroid
Endocarditis
Sick sinus syndrome

Atrial fibrillation: management

ABCD:
Anti-coagulate
Beta-block to control rate
Cardiovert
Digoxin

Anti-arrythmics: for AV nodes

"Do Block AV":
Digoxin
B-blockers
Adenosine
Verapamil

Murmurs: systolic
MR PV TRAPS:
Mitral
Regurgitation and
Prolapse
VSD
Tricuspid
Regurgitation
Aortic and
Pulmonary
Stenosis

Apex beat: differential for impalpable apex beat

DOPES:
Dextrocardia
Obesity
Pericarditis or pericardial tamponade
Emphysema
Sinus inversus/ Student incompetence

Haemachromatosis complications
"HaemoChromatosis Can Cause Deposits Anywhere":
Hypogonadism
Cancer (hepatocellular)
Cirrhosis
Cardiomyopathy
Diabetes mellitus
Arthropathy

Ulcerative colitis: definition of a severe attack

A STATE:
Anemia less than 10g/dl
Stool frequency greater than 6 stools/day with blood
Temperature greater than 37.5
Albumin less than 30g/L
Tachycardia greater than 90bpm
ESR greater than 30mm/hr
 

Vomiting: extra GI differential

VOMITING:
Vestibular disturbance/ Vagal (reflex pain)
Opiates
Migrane/ Metabolic (DKA, gastroparesis, hypercalcemia)
Infections
Toxicity (cytotoxic, digitalis toxicity)
Increased ICP, Ingested alcohol
Neurogenic, psychogenic
Gestation

IBD: surgery indications

"I CHOP":
Infection
Carcinoma
Haemorrhage
Obstruction
Perforation
· "Chop" convenient since surgery chops them open.

IBD: extraintestinal manifestations

A PIE SAC:
Aphthous ulcers
Pyoderma gangrenosum
Iritis
Erythema nodosum
Sclerosing cholangitis
Arthritis
Clubbing of fingertips

Digestive disorders: pH level

With vomiting both the pH and food come up.
With diarrhea both the pH and food go down.

H. Pylori treatment regimen (rough guidelines)

"Please Make Tummy Better":
Proton pump inhibitor
Metronidazole
Tetracycline
Bismuth
· Alternatively: TOMB:
Tetracycline
Omeprazole
Metronidazole
Bismuth

Bilirubin: common causes for increased levels

"HOT Liver":
Hemolysis
Obstruction
Tumor
Liver disease

Ulcerative colitis: complications

"PAST Colitis":
Pyoderma gangrenosum
Ankylosing spondylitis
Sclerosing pericholangitis
Toxic megacolon
Colon carcinoma

Diabetic ketoacidosis: precipitating factors

· 5 I's:
Infection
Ischaemia (cardiac, mesenteric)
Infarction
Ignorance (poor control)
Intoxication (alcohol)

Liver failure: decompensating chronic liver failure differential

HEPATICUS:
Haemorrhage
Electrolyte disturbance
Protein load/ Paracetamol
Alcohol binge
Trauma
Infection
Constipation
Uraemia
Sedatives/ Shunt/ Surgery

Splenomegaly: causes
CHIMP:
Cysts
Haematological ( eg CML, myelofibrosis)
Infective (eg viral (IM), bacterial)
Metabolic/ Misc (eg amyloid, Gauchers)
Portal hypertension

Acute inflammation features

SLIPR:
Swelling
Loss of function
Increased heat
Pain
Redness
· "What a cute pair of slippers" can be used to tie acute inflammation to SLIPR.

Goodpasture's Syndrome components

GoodPasture is Glomerulonephritis and Pnuemonitits.

· From autoantibodies attacking Glomerular and Pulmonary basement
membranes.

HLA-DR genetic predisposition immune disease examples

HLA-DR:
Hashimoto's disease
Leukemia/ Lupus
Autoimmune adrenalitis/ Anemia (pernicious)
Diabetes insipidous
Rheumatoid arthritis

Sjogren syndrome: morphology

"Jog through the MAPLES":
· Sjogren is:
Mouth dry
Arthritis
Parotid enlarged
Lymphoma
Eyes dry
Sicca (primary) or Secondary

Rashes: time of appearance after fever onset

"Really Sick Children Must Take No Exercise":
· Number of days after fever onset that a rash will appear:
1 Day: Rubella
2 Days: Scarlet fever/ Smallpox
3 Days: Chickenpox
4 Days: Measles (and see the Koplik spots one day prior to rash)
5 Days: Typhus & rickettsia (this is variable)
6 Days: Nothing
7 Days: Enteric fever (salmonella)

Pruritus without rash: DDx

ITCHING DX:
Infections (scabies, toxocariasis, etc)
Thyroidal and other endocrinopathies (eg diabetes mellitus)
Cancer
Hematologic diseases (eg iron deficiency)/ Hepatopathies/ HIV
Idiopathic
Neurotic
Gravid (pruritus of pregancy)
Drugs
eXcretory dysfunctions (eg uremia)

Pressure Sore: Norton Score

MAGIC:
Mobility
ADL
General condition
Incontinence
Conscious level

Lethargy, malaise causes

FATIGUED:
Fat/ Food (poor diet)
Anemia
Tumor
Infection (HIV, endocarditis)
General joint or liver disease
Uremia
Endocrine (Addison's, myxedema)
Diabetes/ Depression/ Drugs
Thickened nerves: causes
HANDS:
Hansen's (leprosy)
Amyloidosis
Neurofibromatosis
Diabetes mellitus
Sarcoidosis

Horner's syndrome: components

SAMPLE:
Sympathetic chain injury
Anhidrosis
Miosis
Ptosis
Loss of ciliospinal reflex
Enophthalmos

Sports injuries: course of action

RICE:
Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation
· RICE especially for fractures, sprains, muscle strains, contusions
· Alternatively: I=Immobilization, C=Cold compresses.

Back pain causes

DISK MASS (since near vertebral disc):
Degeneration (DJD, osteoporosis, spondylosis)
Infection (UTI, PID, Pott's disease, osteomyelitis, prostatitis)/ Injury, fracture or
compression fracture
Spondylitis (ankylosing spondyloarthropathies such as rheumatoid arthritis,
Reiters, SLE)
Kidney (stones, infarction, infection)
Multiple myeloma/ Metastasis (from cancers of breast, kidney, lung, prostate,
thyroid)
Abdominal pain (referred to the back)/ Aneurysm
Skin (herpes zoster)/ Strain/ Scoliosis and lordosis
Slipped disk/ Spondylolisthesis

Ducket John's: major criteria

ACNES:
Arthritis
Carditis
Nodule (subcutaneous)
Erythrema marginatum
Sydenham chorea

ICU management: A to Z
A: Asepsis/ Airway
B: Bed sore/ encourage Breathing/ Blood pressure
C: Circulation/ encourage Coughing/ Consciousness
D: Drains
E: ECG
F: Fluid status
G: GI losses/ Gag reflex
H: Head positioning/ Height
I: Insensible losses
J: Jugular venous pulse
K: Kindness
L: Limb care/ Label
M: Mouth care
N: Nociception/ Nutrition
O: Oxygenation/ Orient the patient
P: Pulse/ Peristalsis/ Physiotherapy
Q: Quiet surroundings
R: Respiratory rate/ Restraint
S: Stress ulcer/ Suctioning
T: Temperature
U: Urine
V: Ventilator
W: Wounds/ Weight
X: Xerosis
Y: whY
Z: Zestful care of the patient

Left iliac fossa: causes of pain

SUPER CLOT:
Sigmoid diverticulitis
Uteric colic
PID
Ectopic pregnancy
Rectus sheath haematoma
Colorectal carcinoma
Left sided lower love pneumonia
Ovarian cyst (rupture, torture)
Threatened abortion/ Testicular torsion

Behcet's syndrome: diagnostic criteria

PROSE:
Pathergy test (i/d saline injection)
Recurrent genital ulceration
Oral ulceration (recurrent)
Skin lesions
Eye lesions
· Oral ulceration is central criteria, plus any 2 others.

Fall: differential
I SAVED PANGS:
Illness
Syncope
Accident
Vision
Epilepsy (or other fit)
Drugs
Psychiatric (eg dementia)
Anaemia
Neurological (Parkinsons, cerebellar, neuropathy)
Glucose (hypoglycemia)
Stroke

Bronchiectasis: differential
BRONCHIECTASIS:
Bronchial cyst
Repeated gastric acid aspiration
Or due to foreign bodies
Necrotizing pneumonia
Chemical corrosive substances
Hypogammaglobulinemia
Immotile cilia syndrome
Eosinophilia (pulmonary)
Cystic fibrosis
Tuberculosis (primary)
Atopic bronchial asthma
Streptococcal pneumonia
In Young's syndrome
Staphylococcal pneumonia

Bronchiectasis: causes
A SICK AIRWAY:
Airway lesion, chronic obstruction
Sequestration
Infection, inflamation
Cystic fibrosis
Kartagners syndrome
Allergic brochopulmonary aspergilliosis
Immunodeficiencies (hypogammaglobinaemia, myeloma, lymphoma)
Reflux, inhalation injury
William Campbell syndrome (and other congenitals)
Aspiration
Yellow nail syndrome/ Young syndrome

Respiratory disease: hand signs

CASH:
Clubbing
Asterixis
Small muscle wasting
HPOA

Clubbing: respiratory causes

ABCDEF:
Abcess (lung)
Bronchiectasis (including CF)
Cancer (lung)
Decreased oxygen (hypoxia)
Empyaema
Fibrosing alveolitis

Pulmonary edema: treatments

MAD DOG:
Morphine
Aminophylline
Digitalis
Diuretics
Oxygen
GGases in blood (ABG's)

Acute stridor: differential

ABCDEFGH:
· With fever:
Abscess
Bacterial tracheitis
Croup
Diphtheria
Epiglottitis
· Without fever:
Foreign body
Gas (Toxic Gas)
Hypersensitivity

Pulmonary oedema: treatment

LMNOP:
Lasix
Morphine
Nitrates (NTG)
Oxygen
Position (upright vs. flat)

Hemoptysis: causes
HEMOPTYSIS:
Haemorrhagic diathesis
Edema [LVF due to mitral stenosis]
Malignancy
Others [eg: vasculitis]
Pulmonary vascular abnormalities
Trauma
Your treatment [anticoagulants]
SLE
Infarction in lungs
Septic

Pulmonary fibrosis: causes

SCAR:
· Upper lobe:
Silicosis/ Sarcoidosis
Coal worker pneumonconiosis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Radiation
· Lower lobe:
Systemic sclerosis
Cyptogenic fibrosing alveolitis
Asbetosis
Rheumatoid arthritis

Caplan syndrome: characteristics

CAPlan:
Coal worker pneumoconiosis
Arthritis
Pulmonary nodule

Back trouble causes

O, VERSALIUS (Versalius was the name of a famous physician):
Osteomyelitis
Vertebral fracture
Extraspinal tumour
Spondylolisthesis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Lumbar disk increase
Intraspinal tumor
Unhappiness
Stress
Vomiting: non-GIT differential
ABCDEFGHI:
Acute renal failure
Brain [increased ICP]
Cardiac [inferior MI]
DKA
Ears [labyrinthitis]
Foreign substances [Tylenol, theo, etc.]
Glaucoma
Hyperemesis gravidarum
Infection [pyelonephritis, meningitis]

Abdomen assessment
To assess abdomen, palpate all 4 quadrants for DR. GERM:
Distension: liver problems, bowel obstruction
Rigidity (board like): bleeding
Guarding: muscular tension when touched
Eviseration/ Ecchymosis
Rebound tenderness: infection
Masses

Pain history checklist

OPQRSTU:
Onset of pain (time, duration)
Palliative factors for pain
Quality of pain (throbbing, stabbing, dull, etc.)
Region of body affected
Severity of pain (usually scale of 1-10)
Timing of pain (after exercise, in evening, etc.)
U: How does it affect 'U' in your daily life?
· May wish to expand to OPPQRRSTTUVW, with the extra letters representing:
Provocative factors
Radiation (how does pain spread)
Treatments tried
Deja Vu: Has this happened before?
Worry: What do you think or fear that it is?

Pain history checklist

"On Days Feeling Low Character, Run A Seven Pace Race":

Onset
Duration
Frequency
Location
Character
Radiation
Severity
Precipitating factors
Relieving factors

Pain history checklist

ASK LAST:
Aggravating/ Alleviating
Severity
Karacter
Location
Associated symptoms
Setting
Timing

Pain history checklist

SOCRATES:
Site
Onset
Character
Radiation
Alleviating factors/ Associated symptoms
Timing (duration, frequency)
Exacerbating factors
Severity
· Alternatively, Signs and Symptoms with the 'S'.

Pain history checklist

LOST WAR:
Location
Onset
Severity
Time
Worsening factors
Alleviating factors
Radiation

Pain history checklist

CHLORIDE:
CHaracter (stabbing, throbbing, etc.)
Location
Onset
Radiation
Intensity
Duration
Exacerbating and alleviating factors

Pain history checklist

MR. C T FARADS:
Main site
Radiation
Character
Timing
Frequency
Associated factors
Relieving factors
Aggravating factors
Duration
Severity

Pain history checklist

CLITORIS:
Character
Location
Intensity
Timing
Onset
Radiating
Irritating and relieving factors
Symptoms associated

Pain history checklist

COLDER BARS:
Character
Onset
Location
Duration
Exacerbating factors
Radiation
Before (ever happened before)
Associated symptoms
Relieving factors
Severity

Abdominal swelling causes

5 F's:
Fat
Feces
Fluid
Flatus
Fetus
Full-sized tumors
---Richard Thompson Queens University, Belfast, NI

Differential diagnosis checklist

"A VITAMIN C"
A and C stand for Acquired and Congenital
· VITAMIN stands for:
Vascular
Inflammatory (Infectious and non-Infectious)
Trauma/ Toxins
Autoimmune
Metabolic
Idiopathic
Neoplastic
· Example usage: List causes of decreased vision: Central retinal artery occlusion,
Retinitis pigmentosa, Perforation to gobe, Chronic Gentamycin use, Ruematoid
arthritis, Diabetes, Idiopathic, Any eye tumor, Myopia.

Medical history: disease checklist

MJ THREADS:
Myocardial infarction
Jaundice
Tuberculosis
Hypertension
Rheumatic fever/ Rheumatoid arthritis
Epilepsy
Asthma
Diabetes
Strokes
· Aside: "History" album was by Michael Jackson (MJ).

Symptom attributes
"FAST LQQ'S":
Factors that make it better/worse
Associated manifestations
Setting
Timing
Location
Quality
Quantity
Severity

Physical exam for 'lumps and bumps'

"6 Students and 3 Teachers go for CAMPFIRE":
Site, Size, Shape, Surface, Skin, Scar
Tenderness, Temperature, Transillumination
Consistency
Attachment
Mobility
Pulsation
Fluctuation
Irreducibility
Regional lymph nodes
Edge

Surgical sieve
VANISHED:
Vascular
Accident & trauma
Neoplastic
Inflammatory
Septic
Haematologic/ Hereditary
Endocrinological
Degenerative

Ascultation: crackles (rales)

"PEBbles":
Pneumonia
Edema of lung
Bronchitis

Consolidations: sound
Consolidations
Conduct
Consonants
Clearly

Stroke risk factors

HEADS:
Hypertension/ Hyperlipidemia
Elderly
Atrial fib
Diabetes mellitus/ Drugs (cocaine)
Smoking/ Sex (male)

Battle sign
BattlE:
Behind Ear

Stroke: young patient's likely causes

7 C's:
Cocaine
Consanguinity [familial such as neurofibromatosis and von Hippel-Lindau]
Cancer
Cardiogenic embol
hyperCoagulation
CNS infection [eg: HIV conditions]
Congenital arterial lesion
Proximal myopathy: differential
PEACH PODS:
Polymyositis
Endocrine: hyper, hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, acromegaly
Alcohol
Carcinoma
HIV infection
Periodic hypokalemic paralysis
Osteomalacia
Drugs: steroids, statins
Sarcoidosis

Pin-point pupil causes

Pin-Point Pupils are due to oPioids and Pontine Pathology

Babinski and LMN signs: conditions exhibiting them

"D MASTS":
Diabetes
Motor neuron disease
Ataxia (friedrichs)
Subacute combined degeneration of cord
Tabo paresis
Syringobulbia

Peripheral neuropathies: differential

DANG THERAPIST:
Diabetes
Amyloid
Nutritional (eg B12 deficiency)
Guillain-Barre
Toxic (eg amiodarone)
Heriditary
Endocrine
Recurring (10% of G-B) Alcohol
Pb (lead)
Idiopathic
Sarcoid
Thyroid

Dementia: some common causes

DEMENTIA:
Diabetes
Ethanol
Medication
Environmental (eg CO poisoning)
Nutritional
Trauma
Infection
Alzheimer's

Vertigo: differential
VOMITS:
Vestibulitis
Ototoxic drugs
Meniere's disease
Injury
Tumor
Spin (benign positional vertigo)

Ramsay-Hunt syndrome: cause and common feature

"Ramsay Hunt":
· Etiology:
Reactivated
Herpes zoster
· Complication:
Reduced
Hearing

Neuropathy: diagnosis confirmation

NEuropathy:
Nerve conduction velocity
Electromyography

Neurofibromatosis: diagnostic criteria

ROLANDO:
Relative (1st degree)
Osseous fibromas
Lisch nodules in eyes
Axillary freckling
Neurofibromas
Dime size cafe au lait spots
Optic gliomas

Dementia: reversible dementia causes

DEMENTIA:
Drugs/ Depression
Elderly
Multi-infarct/ Medication
Environmental
Nutritional
Toxins
Ischemia
Alcohol

Red eye causes

GO SUCK:
Glaucoma
Orbital disease
Scleritis
Uveitis
Conjunctivitis
Keratitis

Optic atrophy causes

ICING:
Ischaemia
Compressed nerve
Intracranial pressure [raised]
Neuritis history
Glaucoma

Anopsia: quarantic anopsia: location of lesion

Upper: Top: Temporal lesions.
Lower: Pits: Parietal lesions.

Cataracts: causes
ABCDE:
Aging
Bang: trauma, other injuries (eg infrared)
Congenital
Diabetes and other metabolic disturbances (eg steroids)
Eye diseases: glaucoma, uveitis

Diplopia (uniocular): causes

ABCD:
Astigmatism
Behavioral: psychogenic
Cataract
Dislocated len
s

Corneal stromal dystrophies

"Marilyn Monroe Gets High in LA":
Macular
Mucopolysaccharide
Granular
Hyaline
Lattice
Amyloid

Cataracts: differential
CATARAct:
Congenital
Aging
Toxicity (steroids, etc)
Accidents
Radiation
Abnormal metabolism (DM, Wilsons, etc)

Dacryocystitis, dacryoadenitis: apparatus affected

Dacryocystitis, dacryadenitis:
· Cry, so affects lacrimal gland.
· Infection and inflammation, respectively.

Cataracts: causes
CATARAct:
Congenital
Aging
Toxicity (steroids, etc)
Accidents
Radiation
Abnormal metabolism (diabetes mellitus, Wilson's)

Nasopharyngeal cancer: classic symptoms

NOSE:
Neck mass
Obstructed nasal passage
Serous otitis media externa
Epistaxis and discharge

Carpal tunnel syndrome: treatment

WRIST:
Wear splints at night
Rest
Inject steroid
Surgical decompression
Take diuretics
Fracture: how to describe
PLASTER OF PARIS:
Plane
Location
Articular cartilage involvement
Simple or comminuted
Type (eg Colles')
Extent
Reason
Open or closed
Foreign bodies
disPlacement
Angulation
Rotation
Impaction
Shortening
Bone fracture types [for Star Wars fans]
GO C3PO:
Greenstick
Open
Complete/ Closed/ Comminuted
Partial
Others
· Note: C3P0 is the fucking annoying little ‘droid in the shite Star-Wars movies.

Pagets disease of bone: signs and symptoms

PANICS:
Pain
Arthralgia
Nerve compression / Neural deafness
Increased bone density
Cardiac failure
Skull / Sclerotic vertebrae

Salter Harris fracture classification

Salter Harris, modified to SALTR:
type 1: Slipped epiphysis
type 2: Above the eiphyseal plate
type 3: Lower than the eiphyseal plate
type 4: Through both above and below eiphyseal plate
type 5: Raised epiphysis, as in a compression injury
· Salter Harris classification utilises visualising long bone distal portion with
diaphysis superiorly placed and epiphysis inferiorly placed.

Monoarthritis differential
GHOST:
Gout
Haemarthrosis
Osteoarthritis
Sepsis
Trauma

Bryant's traction: position

BrYant's traction:
Bent Y.
· Patient's body is the stem of the Y laying on the bed, and legs are the ends of
the Y up in the air.

Osteosarcoma: risk factors

PRIMARY:
Paget's
Radiation
Infaction of bone
Male
Alcohol, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle [adults only]
Retinoblastoma, Li-Fraumeni syndrome
Young [10-20 yrs]
· Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant tumor of bone.

Hospice facets
HOSPICE:
Home
Outpatient
Support groups
Pain medication/ Physical needs
Inpatient
Counseling
End-stage (terminal) illness/ Emotional needs

Healthy lifestyle modification

DRAINS:
Diet
Reduce weight
Alcohol reduced
Improve circulation (exercise)
No other disease
Smoking stopped

Clinical essay plan

"During Exams Please Say Silently I Must Prepare F***ing Well":
Definition
Epidemiology
Pathology
Signs and Symptoms
Investigations
Management
Prognosis
Further Work

Warfarin: action, monitoring

WePT:
Warfarin works on the extrinsic pathway and is monitored by PT.

Beta-blockers: side effects

"BBC Loses Viewers In Rochedale":
Bradycardia
Bronchoconstriction
Claudication
Lipids
Vivid dreams & nightmares
-ve Inotropic action
Reduced sensitivity to hypoglycaemia

Captopril (an ACE inhibitor): side effects

CAPTOPRIL:
Cough
Angioedema/ Agranulocystosis
Proteinuria/ Potassium excess
Taste changes
Orthostatic hypotension
Pregnancy contraindication/ Pancreatitis/ Pressure drop (first dose hypertension)
Renal failure (and renal artery stenosis contraindication)/ Rash
Indomethacin inhibition
Leukopenia/ Liver toxicity
Beta-blockers: main contraindications, cautions
ABCDE:
Asthma
Block (heart block)
COPD
Diabetes mellitus
Electrolyte (hyperkalemia)

Ca++ channel blockers: uses

CA++ MASH:
Cerebral vasospasm/ CHF
Angina
Migranes
Atrial flutter, fibrillation
Supraventricular tachycardia
Hypertension
· Alternatively: "CHASM":
Cererbral vasospasm / CHF
Hypertension
Angina
Suprventricular tachyarrhythmia
Migranes

Warfarin: metabolism
SLOW:
· Has a slow onset of action.
· A quicK Vitamin K antagonist, though.
Small lipid-soluble molecule
Liver: site of action
Oral route of administration.
Warfarin

Amiodarone: action, side effects

6 P's:
Prolongs action potential duration
Photosensitivity
Pigmentation of skin
Peripheral neuropathy
Pulmonary alveolitis and fibrosis
Peripheral conversion of T4 to T3 is inhibited -> hypothyroidism

Patent ductus arteriosus: treatment

"Come In and Close the door":
INdomethacin is used to Close PDA.

Hypertension: treatment
ABCD:
ACE inhibitors/ AngII antagonists (sometimes Alpha agonists also)
Beta blockers
Calcium antagonists
Diuretics

Hepatic necrosis: drugs causing focal to massive necrosis

"Very Angry Hepatocytes":
Valproic acid
Acetaminophen
Halothane

Steroids: side effects

BECLOMETHASONE:
Buffalo hump
Easy bruising
Cataracts
Larger appetite
Obesity
Moonface
Euphoria
Thin arms & legs
Hypertension/ Hyperglycaemia
Avascular necrosis of femoral head
Skin thinning
Osteoporosis
Negative nitrogen balance
Emotional liability

Steroid side effects

CUSHINGOID:
Cataracts
Ulcers
Skin: striae, thinning, bruising
Hypertension/ Hirsutism/ Hyperglycemia
Infections
Necrosis, avascular necrosis of the femoral head
Glycosuria
Osteoporosis, obesity
Immunosuppression
Diabetes

Propythiouracil (PTU): mechanism

It inhibits PTU:
Peroxidase/ Peripheral deiodination
Tyrosine iodination
Union (coupling)

Gynaecomastia-causing drugs
DISCOS:
Digoxin
Isoniazid
Spironolactone
Cimetidine
Oestrogens
Stilboestrol

K+ increasing agents
K-BANK:
K-sparing diuretic
Beta blocker
ACEI
NSAID
K supplement

Corticosteroids: adverse side effects

CUSHINGS BAD MD:
Cataracts
Up all night (sleep disturbances)
Suppression of HPA axis
Hypertension/ buffalo Hump
Infections
Necrosis (avascular)
Gain weight
Striae
Bone loss (osteoporosis)
Acne
Diabetes
Myopathy, moon faces
Depression and emotional changes

Lupus: drugs inducing it

HIP:
Hydralazine
INH
Procanimide

Nitrofurantoin: major side effects

NitroFurAntoin:
Neuropathy (peripheral neuropathy)
Fibrosis (pulmonary fibrosis)
Anemia (hemolytic anemia)

Osmotic diuretics: members

GUM:
Glycerol
Urea
Mannitol

Prazocin usage
Prazocin sounds like an acronym of "praszz zour urine".
Therefore Prazocin used for urinary retention in BPH.

SIADH-inducing drugs
ABCD:
Analgesics: opioids, NSAIDs
Barbiturates
Cyclophosphamide/ Chlorpromazine/ Carbamazepine
Diuretic (thiazide)

Diuretics: thiazides: indications

"CHIC to use thiazides":
CHF
Hypertension
Insipidous
Calcium calculi

Sulfonamide: major side effects

· Sulfonamide side effects:
Steven-Johnson syndrome
Skin rash
Solubility low (causes crystalluria)
Serum albumin displaced (causes newborn kernicterus and potentiation of other
serum albumin-binders like warfarin)

Pupils in overdose: morphine vs. amphetamine

"MorPHINE: Fine. AmPHETamine: Fat":
Morphine overdose: pupils constricted (fine).
Amphetamine overdose: pupils dilated (fat).

Atropine use: tachycardia or bradycardia

"A goes with B":
Atropine used clinically to treat Bradycardia.

Reserpine action
Reserpine depletes the Reserves of catecholamines [and serotonin].

Botulism toxin: action, related bungarotoxin

Action: "Botulism Bottles up the Ach so it can't be the released":
Related bungarotoxin: "Botulism is related to Beta Bungarotoxin (beta-, not alpha-
bungarotoxin--alpha has different mechanism).

Ipratropium: action
Atropine is buried in the middle: iprAtropium, so it behaves like Atropine.

Succinylcholine: action, use

Succinylcholine gets Stuck to Ach receptor, then Sucks ions in through open pore.
You Suck stuff in through a mouth-tube, and drug is used for intubation.

Phenobarbitone: side effects

Children are annoying (hyperkinesia, irritability, insomnia, aggression).
Adults are dosy (sedation, dizziness, drowsiness).

Cholinergics (eg organophosphates): effects

If you know these, you will be "LESS DUMB":
Lacrimation
Excitation of nicotinic synapses
Salivation
Sweating
Diarrhea
Urination
Micturition
Bronchoconstriction

Depression: 5 drugs causing it

PROMS:
Propranolol
Reserpine
Oral contraceptives
Methyldopa
Steroids
Benzodiazepines: actions
"Ben SCAMs Pam into seduction not by brain but by muscle":
Sedation
anti-Convulsant
anti-Anxiety
Muscle relaxant
Not by brain: No antipsychotic activity.

Cisplatin: major side effect, action

"Ci-Splat-In":
Major side effect: Splat (vomiting sound)--vomiting so severe that anti-nausea drug
needed.
Action: Goes Into the DNA strand.
Bleomycin: action
"Bleo-Mycin Blows My DNA to bits":
Bleomycin works by fragmenting DNA (blowing it to bits).
My DNA signals that its used for cancer (targeting self cells).

Metabolism enzyme inducers

"Randy's Black Car Goes Putt Putt and Smokes":
Rifampin
Barbiturates
Carbamazepine
Grisoefulvin
Phenytoin
Phenobarb
Smoking cigarettes

Routes of entry: most rapid ways meds/toxins enter body

"Stick it, Sniff it, Suck it, Soak it":
Stick = Injection
Sniff = inhalation
Suck = ingestion
Soak = absorption

Zero order kinetics drugs (most common ones)

"PEAZ (sounds like pees) out a constant amount":
Phenytoin
Ethanol
Aspirin
Zero order
· Someone that pees out a constant amount describes zero order kinetics (always
the same amount out)

Therapeutic dosage: toxicity values for most commonly monitored

medications
"The magic 2s":
Digitalis (.5-1.5) Toxicity = 2.
Lithium (.6-1.2) Toxicity = 2.
Theophylline (10-20) Toxicity = 20.
Dilantin (? Phenytoin) (10-20) Toxicity = 20.
APAP (1-30) Toxicity = 200.

Etoposide: action, indications, side effect

"eTOPoside":
· Action:
Inhibits TOPoisomerase II
· Indications:
Testicular carcinoma
Oat cell carcinoma of lung
Prostate carcinoma
· Side effect:
Affects TOP of your head, causing alopecia

Antibiotics contraindicated during pregnancy

MCAT:
Metronidazole
Chloramphenicol
Aminoglycoside
Tetracycline

Quinolones [and Fluoroquinolones]: mechanism

"Topple the Queen":
Quinolone interferes with Topoisomerase II.

Conduct disorder vs. Antisocial personality disorder

Conduct disorder is seen in Children.
Antisocial personality disorder is seen in Adults.

Parasomnias: time of onset

SLeep terrors and SLeepwalking occur during SLow-wave sleep (stages 3 & 4).
NightmaRE occurs during REM sleep (and is REMembered).

Depression: symptoms and signs (DSM-IV criteria)

AWESOME:
Affect flat
Weight change (loss or gain)
Energy, loss of
Sad feelings/ Suicide thoughts or plans or attempts/ Sexual inhibition/ Sleep change
(loss or excess)/ Social withdrawal
Others (guilt, loss of pleasure, hopeless)
Memory loss
Emotional blunting

Biological symptoms in psychiatry

SCALED:
Sleep disturbance
Concentration
Appetite
Libido
Energy
Diurnal mood variation

Psychiatric review of symptoms

"Depressed Patients Seem Anxious, So Claim Psychiatrists":
Depression and other mood disorders (major depression, bipolar disorder,
dysthymia)
Personality disorders (primarily borderline personality disorder)
Substance abuse disorders
Anxiety disorders (panic disorder with agoraphobia, obssessive-compulsive
disorder)
Somatization disorder, eating disorders (these two disorders are combined because
both involve disorders of bodily perception)
Cognitive disorders (dementia, delirium)
Psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, delusional disorder and psychosis
accompanying depression, substance abuse or dementia)
Dementia: main causes
VITAMIN D VEST:
Vitamin deficiency (B12, folate, thiamine)
Intracranial tumour
Trauma (head injury)
Anoxia
Metabolic (diabetes)
Infection (postencephalitis, HIV)
Normal pressure hydrocephalus
Degenerative (Alzheimer's, Huntington's, CJD, etc)
Vascular (multi infarct dementia)
Endocrine (hypothyroid)
Space occupying lesion (chronic subdural haematoma)
Toxic (alcohol)
Beta-1 vs Beta-2 receptor location
"You have 1 heart and 2 lungs":
Beta-1 are therefore primarily on heart.
Beta-2 primarily on lungs.

TB: antibiotics used

STRIPE:
STreptomycin
Rifampicin
Isoniazid
Pyrizinamide
Ethambutol

Respiratory depression inducing drugs

"STOP breathing":
Sedatives and hypnotics
Trimethoprim
Opiates
Polymyxins

Pulmonary infiltrations inducing drugs

"Go BAN Me!":
Gold
Bleomycin/ Busulphan/ BCNU
Amiodarone/ Acyclovir/ Azathioprine
Nitrofurantoin
Melphalan/ Methotrexate/ Methysergide

Ribavirin: indications
RIBAvirin:
RSV
Influenza B
Arenaviruses (Lassa, Bolivian, etc.)

Asthma drugs: leukotriene inhibitor action

zAfirlukast: Antagonist of lipoxygenase
zIlueton: Inhibitor of LT receptor

Antirheumatic agents (disease modifying): members

CHAMP:
Cyclophosphamide
Hydroxycloroquine and choloroquinine
Auranofin and other gold compounds
Methotrexate
Penicillamine

Auranofin, aurothioglucose: category and indication

Aurum is latin for "gold" (gold's chemical symbol is Au).
Generic Aur- drugs (Auranofin, Aurothioglucose) are gold compounds.
· If didn't learn yet that gold's indication is rheumatoid arthritis, AUR- Acts Upon
Rheumatoid.

Depression: major depression criteria

DEAD SWAMP:
Depressed mood most of the day
Energy loss or fatigue
Anhedonia
Death thoughts (recurrent), suicidal ideation or attempts
Sleep disturbances (insomnia, hypersomnia)
Worthlessness or excessive guilt
Appetite or weight change
Mentation decreased (ability to think or concentrate, indecisiveness)
Psychomotor agitation or retardation

Schizophrenia: negative features

4 A's:
Ambivalence
Affective incongruence
Associative loosening
Autism

Depression
UNHAPPINESS:
Understandable (such as bereavement, major stresses)
Neurotic (high anxiety personalities, negative parental upbringing
Hypochondriasis
Agitation (usually organic causes such as dementia
Pseudodementia
Pain
Importuniing (whingeing, complaining)
Nihilistic
Endogenous
Secondary (ie cancer at the head of the pancreas, bronchogenic cancer)
Syndromal

Depression: melancholic features (DSM IV)

MELANcholic:
Morning worsening of symptoms/ psychoMotor agitation, retardation/ early
Morning wakening
Excessive guilt
Loss of emotional reactivity
ANorexia/ Anhedonia

Substance dependence: features (DSM IV)

"WITHDraw IT":
· 3 of 7 within 12 month period:
Withdrawal
Interest or Important activities given up or reduced
Tolerance
Harm to physical and psychosocial known but continue to use
Desire to cut down, control
Intended time, amount exceeded
Time spent too much

Mania: cardinal symptoms

DIG FAST:
Distractibility
Indiscretion (DSM-IV's "excessive involvement in pleasurable activities")
Grandiosity
Flight of ideas
Activity increase
Sleep deficit (decreased need for sleep)
Talkativeness (pressured speech)

Depression criteria/symptoms
A SAD FACES:
Appetite, weight changes
Sleep changes
Anhedonia
Dysphoria (low mood)
Fatigue
Agitation (psychomotor)
Concentration
Esteem
Suicide

Esophageal cancer: risk factors

ABCDEF:
Achalasia
Barret's esophagus
Corrosive esophagitis
Diverticuliis
Esophageal web
Familial

Anterior mediastinal masses

4 T's:
Teratoma
Thymoma
Testicular-type
T-cell / Hodgkin's lymphoma

Head CT scan: evaluation checklist

"Blood Can Be Very Bad":
Blood
Cistern
Brain
Ventricles
Bone

Prognotic factors for cancer: general

PROGNOSIS:
Presentation (time & course)
Response to treatment
Old (bad prog.)
Good intervention (i.e. early)
Non-compliance with treatment
Order of differentiation (>1 cell type)
Stage of disease
Ill health
Spread (diffuse)

T2 vs. T1 MRI scan

"WW 2" (World War II):
· Water is White in a T2 scan.
· Conversely, a T1 scan shows fat as being whiter.

Chest radiograph: checklist to examine

ABCDEFGHI:
Aorta
Bronchus
Cord, spinal
Diaphragm (look for hyperinflation)
Eosphagus (look for foreign body)
Fracture (ribs)
Gas (look for pneumothorax)
Heart (look for cardiomegaly)
Iatrogenic (subclavian line, pacemakers)

Chest radiograph: checklist to examine

"Pamela Found Our Rotation Particularly Exciting; Very Highly Commended
Mainly 'Cus She Arouses":
Patient details
Film details
Objects (eg. lines, electrodes)
Rotation
Penetration
Expansion
Vessels
Hila
Costophrenic angles
Mediastinum
Cardiothoracic Ratio
Soft tissues and bones
Air (diaphragm, pneumothorax, subcut. emphysema)

Chest X-ray: cavitating lesions differential

"If you see HOLES on chest X-ray, they are WEIRD":
Wegener's syndrome
Embolic (pulmonary, septic)
Infection (anaerobes, pneumocystis, TB)
Rheumatoid (necrobiotic nodules)
Developmental cysts (sequestration)
Histiocytosis
Oncological
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis
Environmental, occupational
Sarcoid

Lung cancer: main sites for distant metastases

BLAB:
Bone
Liver
Adrenals
Brain
Lung cancer: notorious consequences
SPEECH:
Superior vena cava syndrome
Paralysis of diaphragm (Phrenic nerve)
Ectopic hormones
Eaton-Lambert syndrome
Clubbing
Horner syndrome/ Hoarseness

Chest x-ray: differential diagnoses of shadow on the upper zones

of lung fields
5 Ts:
Thymoma
Thyroid (retrosternal)
Tuberculosis
Terrible lymphoma
Teratoma

Upper lobe shadowing: causes

BREASTS:
Beryllium
Radiation
Extrinsic allergic alveolitis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Sarcoidosis
TB
Siliconiosis

Neck sagittal x-ray: examination checklist

ABCD:
Anterior: look for swelling
Bones: examine each bone for fractures
Cartilage: look for slipped discs
Dark spots: ensure not abnormally big, or could mean excess blood

Mole: signs of trouble

ABCDE:
Asymmetry
Border irregular
Colour irregular
Diameter usually > 0.5cm
Elevation irregular

Elbow ossification centers, in sequence

CRITOE:
Capitellum
Radial head
Internal epicondyle
Trochlea
Olecranon
External epicondyle
· In order: appear at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 years; each closes 2 years later.

Osteoarthritis: x-ray signs

LOSS:
Loss of joint space
Osteopyhtes
Subcondral sclerosis
Subchondral cysts

SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) diagnosis (ARA criteria)

DAMP AS RHINO:
Discoid rash
ANA (+)
Malar rash
Photosensitivity
Arthritis
Serositis (pleural, pericardial)
Renal involvement
Hematologic abnormality
Immunologic abnormality
Neurologic abnormality (seizures, psychosis)
Oral / nasal ulcer, Observed

SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) diagnosis

"MD SOAP 'N HAIR":
Malar rash
Discoid rash
Serositis
Oral ulcer
Arthritis
Photosensitivity
Neurologic abnormality
Hematologic abnormality
ANA (+)
Immunologic abnormality
Renal involvement

Felty's syndrome: components

SANTA:
Splenomegaly
Anaemia
Neutropenia
Thrombocytopenia
Arthritis (rheumatoid)

Carpal tunnel syndrome

TINel's sign:
TINgling sensation after
Tapping on
Traumatized nerve in carpal
Tunnel syndrome

Henoch schonlein purpura: signs and symptoms

NAPA:
Nephritis
Arthritis, arthralgias
Purpura, palpable (especially on buttocks and lower extremities)
Abdominal pain
Asthma: treatment
ASTHMA:
Adrenergics
Steroids
Theophylline
Hydration
Mask [O2 at 24%]
Antibiotics

Joint pain causes

SOFTER TISSUE:
Sepsis
Osteoarthritis
Fractures
Tendon/muscle
Epiphyseal
Referred
Tumor
Ischaemia
Seropositive arthritides
Seronegative arthritides
Urate
Extra-articular rheumatism (such as polymylagia)

Osteoporosis risk factors

ACCESS:
Alcohol
Corticosteroid
Calcium low
Estrogen low
Smoking
Sedentary lifestyle

Arthritis: juvenile idiopathic: differential

ARTHRITIS:
Anxiety
Rickets and metabolic
Tumor
Hematological
Reactive arthritis
Immunological (SLE)
Trauma
Injury
Sepsis

Arthritis: seronegative spondyloarthropathies

PEAR:
Psoriatic arthritis
Enteropathic arthritis
Ankylosing sponylitis
Reiter's/ Reactive
Fistulas: conditions preventing closure
FRIEND:
Foreign body
Radiation
Infection/ Inflammation (Crohn)
Epithelialization
Neoplasia
Distal obstruction
Oesophageal cancer risk factors
PC BASTARDS:
Plummer-Vinson syndrome
Coeliac disease
Barrett's
Alcohol
Smoking
Tylosis
Achalasia
Russia (geographical distribution)
Diet
Stricture
GI bleeding: causes
ABCDEFGHI:
Angiodysplasia
Bowel cancer
Colitis
Diverticulitis/ Duodenal ulcer
Epitaxis/ Esophageal (cancer, esophagitis, varices)
Fistula (anal, aortaenteric)
Gastric (cancer, ulcer, gastritis)
Hemorrhoids
Infectious diarrhoea/ IBD/ Ischemic bowel

Abdominal aortic aneurysm: genetic component

AAA (3 A's) is sometimes due to a defect in the gene encoding for type III
procollagen.

Haematocele: etiology
3T's and 2 H's:
Tumor
Torsion
Trauma
Hydrocele as a complication
Haemophilia (blood diseases)

Melanoma sites
"Mel SEA" (Pronounced "Mel C" from the Spice Girls)
· Melanoma sites, in order of frequency:
Skin
Eyes
Anus

Post-operative fever causes

Six W's:
Wind: pulmonary system is primary source of fever first 48 hours, may have
pneumonia
Wound: infection at surgical site
Water: check IV for phlebitis
Walk: deep venous thrombosis, due to pelvic pooling or restricted mobility related
to pain and fatigue
Whiz: urinary tract infection if urinary catheterization
Wonder drugs: drug-induced fever

Post-operative complications (immediate)

"Post-op PROBS":
Pain
Primary haemorrhage
Reactionary haemorrhage
Oliguria
Basal atelectasis
Shock/ Sepsis

Oedema causes: generalised

"HILARI IS SAVE" (Hilary):
Heart failure
Iatrogenic
Liver causes
Aldosterone increased/ ADH increased
Renal cause
Inadequate protein in blood (hypoalbuminaemia)
· Causes for the inadequate protein in blood are:
Intake Inadequate (Kwashiorkor)
Secretion fro pancreas decreased (pancreatitis)
Synthesis decreased (liver failure)
Absorption decreased (Crohn's disease)
Vomit (pyloric stenosis)
Excretion increased (nephrotic)

Oedema causes: localised

ALIVE:
Allergic (angio-oedema)
Lymphatic (elephantiasis)
Inflammatory (infection, injury)
VEnous (DVT, chronic venous insufficiency)

Appendicectomy: complications
WRAP IF HOT:
Wound infection
Respiratory (atelectasis, pneumonia)
Abscess (pelvic)
Portal pyemia
Ileus (paralytic)
Fecal fistula
Hernia (r. inguinal)
Obstruction (intestinal due to adhesions)
Thrombus (DVT)

Disease description: organization of answer

"In A Surgeon's Gown, Physicians May Make Some Clinical Progress":
Incidence
Age
Sex
Geography
Predisposing factors
Macroscopic appearance
Microscopic appearance
Spread
Clinical features
Prognosis

Inguinal mass: differential

"Hernias Very Much Like To Swell":
Hernias (inguinal, femoral)
Vascular (femoral aneurysm, sapheno varyx)
Muscle (psoas abscess)
Lymph nodes
Testicle (ectopic, undescended)
Spermatic cord (lipoma, hydrocoele)

Scrotum: scrotum swelling differential

THE THEATRES:
Torsion
Hernia
Epididymytis, orchitis
Trauma
Hydrocoele, varicocele, hematoma
Edema
Appendix testes (torsion, hemorrhage)
Tumour
Recurrent leukemia
Epididymal cyst
Syphilis, TB

Urinary incontinence: causes of acute and reversible

DRIP
Delirium
Restricted mobility/ Retention
Inflammation / Infection/ Impaction [fecal]
Pharmaceuticals / Polyuria
· "Drip" is convenient since it is urinary incontinence, so urine only drips out.

Hematuria: differential
"S#!T":
Stones/ Systemic disease (SLE)/ Structural lesions (UPJ obstruction)
Hematologic disease (sickle cell, coagulopathy)/ Hypercalciuria/ Hereditary
(Alport nephritis)/ HSP/ HUS
Infectious and Immunologic (PSGN)/ IgA nephropathy (Berger nephritis)/
Interstitial disease (interstitial nephritis)/ Idiopathic conditions (thin glomerular
basement membrane disease or benign familial hematuria)
Trauma/ Tumor/ TB/ Toxins

Nephrotic syndrome: causes for secondary nephrotic syndrome

DAVID:
Diabetes mellitus
Amyloidosis
Vasculitis
Infections
Drugs

Pyelonephritis (acute): predisposing factors

SCARRIN' UP:
Sex (females <40, males >40)
Catheterization
Age (infant, elderly)
Renal lesions
Reflux (vesciouteral)
Immunodeficienct
NIDDM, IDDM
Urinary obstuction
Pregnant
· Acute pyelonephritis heals by scarrin' up the area (pyelonephritic scar).

Renal failure: symptoms/signs

"My Big Nob Vibrates Gently In Her Purulent Pelvis":
Malaise
Breathlessness
Nausea
Vomiting
GI motility
Headache
Pruritis
Pigmentation

Hydronephrosis: differential
· Unilateral is PACT:
Pelvic-uteric obstruction (congenital or acquired)
Aberrant renal vessels
Calculi
Tumours of renal pelvis
· Bilateral is SUPER:
Stenosis of the urethra
Urethral valve
Prostatic enlargement
Extensive bladder tumour
Retro-peritoneal fibrosis

Dialysis: indications
AEIOU:
Acid-base problems (severe acidosis or alkalosis)
Electrolyte problems (hyperkalemia)
Intoxications
Overload, fluid
Uremic symptoms

Enlarged kidneys: causes

SHAPE:
Sclerderma
HIV nephropathy
Amyloidosis
Polycystic kidney disease
Endocrinophathy (diabetes)

Prostatism: initial symptoms

"Prostatism is initially FUN":
Frequency
Urgency
Nocturia

Renal Cell Cancer (RCC): genetic marker

"RCC" equals three. Or, "C" is the third letter of the alphabet.
· RCC is associated with genetic abberations on the third chromosome (VHL
gene)
 
Compartment syndrome: signs and symptoms
· 5 P's:
Pain
Palor
P ulseless
Paresethesia
Pressure (increased)

Epididmyitis: bacterial causes

CENT:
Chlamydia trachomatis
E. coli
Nisseria gonorrhoeae
Tuberculous bacteria

Testicular atrophy: differential

TESTES SHRINK:
Trauma
Exhaustional atrophy
Sequelae
Too little food
Elderly
Semen obstruction
Sex hormone therapy
Hypopituitarism
Radiation
Inflammatory orchitis
Not descended
Kleinfelter's
GET SMASH'D.--Causes of Acute pancreatitis
Gallstones
Ethanol
Trauma
Steroids
Mumps,
Autoimmune(PAN)
Scorpion bites
Hyperlipidemia,
Drugs(azathioprine, diuretics)
__________________________________________________________________________

Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia

MEN I is a disease of 3 P's (pituitary, parathyroid
and pancreas) plus adrenal cortex
MEN II is a disease of 2 C's(carcinoma of thyroid and
catacholamines[pheochromocytoma]) plus parathyroid
for MEN IIa or mucocutaneous neuromas for MEN
IIb(aka MEN III)
_________________________________________________________________________

Acute pneumonia caused by Pyogenic bacteria--PMN infiltrate

Acute pneumonia caused by Miscellaneous microbes
--Mononuclear infiltrate
_________________________________________________________________________

CAGE--alcohol use screening

1. Have you ever felt it necessary to CUT DOWN on your
drinking?
2. Has anyone ever told you they were ANNOYED by your
drinking?
3. Have you ever felt GUILTY about your drinking?
4. Have you ever felt the need to have a drink in the
morning for an EYE OPENER?
_________________________________________________________________________

P-Q-R-S-T--eliciting pain history and exploring symptoms

P--palliative or provocative factors for the pain
Q--quality of pain(burning, stabbing, aching, etc.)
R--region of body affected
S--severity of pain(usually 1-10 scale)
T--timing of pain(eg.-after meals, in the morning,
etc.)
__________________________________________________________________________

Argyll-Robertson Pupil--syphilitic pupil

Accommodation reflex present, Pupillary reflex absent
__________________________________________________________________________

The five W's--post-operative fever

Wind--pneumonia, atelectasis
Water--urinary tract infection
Wound--wound infections
Wonderdrugs--especially anesthesia
Walking--walking can help reduce deep vein thromboses
and pulmonary embolus
__________________________________________________________________________

Anna Cycled Immediately Downhill--Gell & Goombs classification of hypersensitivity reactions

ACID
Type I Anaphylaxis
Type II Cytotoxic-mediated
Type III Immune-complex
Type IV Delayed hypersensitivity
__________________________________________________________________________

"C3,4,5 keep the diaphragm alive" Innervation of the phrenic nerve

_________________________________________________________________________

Re: facial nerve

Two = Temporal
Zulus = Zygomatic
Buggered = Buccal
My = Masseteric
Cat = Cervical
__________________________________________________________________________

"S2, 3, 4 keep the penis off the floor",

Refers to the innervation of the penis by branches of the
pudental nerve which are derived from spinal cord levels S2-4
__________________________________________________________________________

Cranial nerves in order:

"Oh oh oh to touch and feel virgin girls vaginas and hymens"
__________________________________________________________________________

(Multiple endocrine neoplasia) Each of the MENs is a

disease of three or two letters plus a feature.
"MEN I" is a disease of the three Ps (pituitary, parathyroid and pancreas)
plus adrenal cortex.
"MEN II " is a disease of the two Cs (carcinoma of the thyroid and
catacholamines [pheochromocytoma]) plus parathyroid for MEN IIa or
mucocutaneous neuromas for MEN IIb (aka MEN III).
__________________________________________________________________________

"One heart Two lungs"

for beta receptor activity. Beta-1 receptors are primarily on the heart, and the
airway is Beta-2 receptors.
_________________________________________________________________________

Cranial Nerves

1. Olfactory Oh on Some Sensory

2. Optic Oh old Say Sensory
3. Occulomotor Oh olympus Marry Marylin Mixed
4. Trochlear To towering Money Monroe Mixed
5. Trigeminal Touch top But Both
6. Abducens And a My Mixed
7. Facial Feel fat Brother Both
8. Acoustic A armed Says Sensory
9. Glossopharyngeal Good(?) girl Big Brigid Both
10. Vagus Vein(?) ventured Boobs Bardot Both
11. Accessory Ah a Matter Mmm Mixed
12. Hypoglossal Heaven hop More Mmm Mixed
__________________________________________________________________________
Cholinergic Crisis-Parasympathetic Stimulation:
SLUD Salivation, Lacrimation, Urination and Defecation.
_________________________________________________________________________

Sympathetic nervous system: Fight or Flight

Parasympathetic nervous system: Rest and Digest

__________________________________________________________________________

Spinal Meds: Lidocaine, Bupivicaine, Procaine, Tetracaine

Little Boys Prefer Toys.

_________________________________________________________________________

F L A G T O P Hormones of the Anterior Pituitary

F: Follicle Stimulating Hormone

L: Lutenizing Hormone
A: ACTH
G: Growth Hormone
T: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
O: MSH
P: Prolactin
__________________________________________________________________________

President Kennedy had Addisions disease: He always had a great

tan. A president would need cortisol to respond to stress and hypoglycemia.
__________________________________________________________________________

Treatment of Malignant Hyperthermia

Some Hot Dude Better Give Iced Fluids Fast!!!

S: Stop all triggering agents, give 100% O2

H: Hyperventilate

D: Dantrolene 2.5mg/kg

B: Bicarbonate

G: Glucose and Insulin

I: IV Fluids, Cooling Blanket

F: Fluid Output; Furosemide

F: Tachycardia, be prepared to treat V Tach

__________________________________________________________________________

Regarding what to do in case of syncope:

If the face is red, raise the head. If the face is pale, raise
the tail!
_________________________________________________________________________

"LR6SO4 rest 3" Lateral Rectus: 6th cranial nerve (abducens)

Superior Oblique: 4th cranial nerve (trochlear)
All other muscles(medial rectus, superior and inferior recti,
and inferior oblique): 3rd cranial nerve (oculomotor)
 __________________________________________________________________________

"9 O P" ninth cranial nerve innervates the parotid gland by way
of the otic ganglion.

_________________________________________________________________________

Oculomotor Reflex is the “5 & dime reflex”

Afferent: Trigeminal V and Efferent: Vagus X

__________________________________________________________________________

Back Pain: DISK MASS

D Degeneration: DJD, Osteoporosis, spondylosis

I Infection: UTI, PID, Potts, osteomyelitis, prostatitis, Injury/fracture, compression

fracture.

S Spondylitis, ankylosing
Spondyloarthropathies (rheum. arthritis, Reiters, SLE)

K Kidney stones/infarction/infection (pyelo/abscess)

M Multiple myeloma
Metastasis from breast, prostate, lung, thyroid, kidney CA

A Aneurysm - Abdominal pain referred to the back

S Slipped disk, spondylolisthesis

S Strain, scoliosis/lordosis
Skin: herpes zoster.

___________________________________________________________________
1. Seronegative arthropathies- SCRAP BW
Stills
Colitis
Reiters
Ankylosing spondylitis
Psoriasis
Behcets
Whipples.

2. Hypercalcaemia – NHS MTV PAFD

Ng (bone mets, myeloma, sq lung)
Hyerparathyroidism
Sarcoid
Milk-alkali syndrome
Thyrotoxicosis
Vitamin D intoxication
Pagets, Addisons, Familial, Drugs.

3. Carpal tunnel syndrome – ARMPIT TG

Acromegaly and Amyloid
Rheumatoid arthritis
Myxpedema
Pregnancy/pill
Idiopathic
Trauma
Gout.

4. Muscales affected by 3 – LOAF

Lateral two Lumbricals
Opponens pollicis
Abductor pollicis
Flexor pollicis brevis.

5. No apex beat – DOPES

Dextrocardia
Obesity
Pleural/pericardial effusion
Emphysema
Shock.
6. 3rd heart sound – FIPPY
Failure
Incompetence (mitral/tricuspid)
Pregnancy
Pericarditis
Youth.

7. 4th heart sound – HITS

Hypertension/heart block
Ischaemic HD
Tamponade
Stenosis (aortic/pulmonary).

8. Atrial fibrillation – ARITHMATIC

Alcohol
Rheumatic fever
Ischaemic heart disease
Thyrotoxicosis
Hypertension
Mitral stenosis/MI
Atrial myxoma/ASD
Toxins
Idiopathic/infective endocarditis
Cardiomopathy/constrictive pericarditis.

9. Exudative pleural effusions – PINTS

Pulmonary infarction
Infection eg pneumonia
New growth
TB
Systemic disease (RA SLE, sarcoid, systemic sclerosis).

10. Confusion - DIM FACES

Drugs
Infection
Metabolic
Fractures/failure
Alcohol/anaemia
CVA
Electrolyte disturbances
SOL.
11. Multiple sclerosis – CURSED HIV
Cerebellar signs
UMNL
Retrobulbar neuritis
Spastic paraparesis
Euphoria
Dementia/depression/diplpoia
Horners
Incontinence
Vertigo/vomiting.

12. Left ventricular failure – FOAM

Frusemide
Oxygen
Aminophylline
Morphine.

13. Jaundice – ABCDEFGHIJ

Anaesthetics (halothane)
Blood transfusions
Contacts
Drugs
Ethanol
Foreign travel/FHx
Gallstones/Gilberts
Hepatitis/Homosexual/Haemophilia
Idiopathic/IV drug abuse
Job – farmers, sewage workers (Weils)

14. Prophylactic antibiotics – APPLE

Amputations
Prosthehics
Pentrating wounds
Large bowel surgery
Endocarditis.

15. Non-dermatological causes of pruritus – DULL JAM

DM
Uraemia
Lymphoma
Leukaemia
Jaundice
Anaemia
Myxoedema.
16. Proximal myopathy – PHEN
Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis
Hereditary muscular dystrophy
Endocrine – DM, thyrotoxicosis, Cushings, osteomalacia
Neuropathy

17. Tumours which spread to bone - PUBKILT

Prostate
Uterine
Breast
Kidney
Intestinal
Lung
Thyroid.

18. Suspect malignancy in naevus - HITCHES

Haemorrhage (bleeds)
Itch/Irragular
Tender
Colour change
Halo
Enlargement
Satellite lesions.

19. Swollen DIP joints – SPROG

Sarcoid
Psoriasis
Reiters
OA
Gout.

20. Nehprotic syndrome – GLADDER

Glomerulonephritis
Lupus
Amyloid
Diabetes
Drugs
Renal vein thrombosis.

21. Dupuytrens contracture – FACED

Familial
Alcoholic
Cirrhosis
Epilepsy meds (phenytoin)
DM.
22. Argyll Robertson pupil – SADE
Syphilis
Alcohol
DM
Encephalitis.

22. Premature senule dementia – DEEP HITS

Deficiency (B12)
Epilepsy
Endocrine (myxpoedema)
Parkinsonism
Huntingtons
Infective
Tumour
Syphilis.

23. Wernickes and Korsakoffs – CANON

Confusion
Ataxia
Nystagmus
Ocular palsy
Neuritis.

24. Pontine haemorrhages – 3Ps

Paralysis
Pinpoint pupils
Pyrexia.

25. Pancreatitis – ABCDEFGHI

Alcohol
Biliary tract trauma
Carcinoma
Drugs(steroids)
ERCP
Fetus
Gallstones
Hyperlipidaemia
Hyperparathyroidism
Hypothermia
Infections eg mumps.
26. Sarcoid – SARCOID
Skin (erythema nodosum, nodules Lupus pernio)
Arthritis
Respiratory (bilateral hilsr lymphadenopathy)
Calcium increased
Orbit (Keratoconjunctivitis, glaucoma, uveitis)
Interstitial lung fibrosis
Diabetes insipidus

27. Rheumatic fever

Major criteria – CASES
Carditis
Arthritis
Subacute nodules
Erythema marginatum
Sydenhams chorea
Minor criteria
ESR/CRP, fever, arthralgia, history.

28. Pericarditis – DRUMSTIC

Dresslers
Rheumatic fever
RA
Uraemia
MI
SLE
Trauma
Idiopathic
Coxsackie

29. Gynaecomastia (drug causes) – DISCO

Digoxin
Isoniazid
Spirinolactone
Cimetidine
Oestrogens.

30. Cerebellar signs – VANISH DDT

Vertigo
Ataxia
Nystagmus
Intention tremor
Slurred speech
Hypotonia
Dysdiadochokinesis
Dysmetria
Titubation.
31. Small pupils – HAPPY
Horners
Argyll Robertson
Pontine haemorrhage
Pilocarpine
Happy(morphine).

32. Acute abdomen – A MEDICS CURSE MOP

Appendicitis
Mesenteric adenitis
Enteritis
Diverticulitis
Ischaemic colitis
Small bowel obstruction
Cholecystitis
Ulcers
Renal colic
Salpingitis
Ectopic pregnancy
Meckels diverticulitis
Ovarian cyst
Pancreatitis.

33. Post-op removal of NG tube - Ps

Paucity of aspirate
Peristalsis
Passage of flatus
Patient puckish

35.Side effects of steroids – HIGH COMPACT IMPS

Hypertension
Immunosuppression
Gastric bleeding/ulcer
Heartburn
Cataract
Osteoporosis
Muscle weakness
Psychosis
Altered glucose level
Cushingoid
Thin skin
Increased appetite
Myopathy
Poor wound healing
Stress response reduced.
36. PARKINSONS
Pill rolling tremor
Akinesia
Risidity
Kyphosis
Instability
Neck stiffness
Shuffling gait
Oculogyric crises
Nose tap (glabellar tap)
Small writing

37. ACROMEGALY
Appearance
Coarse skin/voice
Reek
Oily skin
Myopathy
Eye (increased supraorbital ridge)
Goitre
Large tongue
Yonser

38. Symptoms of aortic stenosis –SAD

Syncope
Angina
Dyspnoea

39. Dystrophia Myotonia – BIG CHIPS

Balding (frontal)
Intellectual impairment
Glucose intolerance
Cataracts, cardiomyopathy
Handshake, hyporeflexic
IgG down
Ptosis
Small ovaries/testes

40. Absent ankle jerks but extensor plantars –

Sex Makes The Ankles Dorsiflex
Subacute combined degeneration of the cord.
Motor neurone disease
Tabes dorsalis
Ataxia (Friedrich’s)
Diabetic neuropathy
41. Pes cavus –
Disease Can Shorten The Feet
Diabetes
Charcot Marie Tooth
Syringomyelia
Tabes dorsalis
Friedrichs ataxia

42. Causes of Addisons disease – SANTAM

Steroids
Autoimmune
Neoplastic
TB
Amyloid
Meningococcal (Friedhrick Waterhouse)

43. Complications of diabetes mellitus – KNIVES

Kidney
Neuropathy
Infection
Vascular
Eyes
Skin lesions

44. Leg ulcers – VAIN PAIN

Venous
Arterial
Infection eg syphilis
Neuropathic
Pressure sores/Pyoderma gangrenosum
Arthritis – RA, PAN
Injury
Neoplastic

45. Macrocytic Anaemia Leaves Big Fat Reticulocytes

Myxoedema
Alcohol
Liver disease
B12 deficiency
Folate deficiency
Reticulocytosis

46. GI obstruction - PV D+C

Pain
Vomiting
Distension
Constipation