This is a list of pathology mnemonics, categorized and alphabetized. For mnemonics in other medical specialities, see this list of medical mnemonics.
Acute intermittent porphyria: signs and symptoms 5 Ps: Pain in the abdomen Polyneuropathy Psychological abnormalities Pink urine Precipitated by drugs (including barbiturates, oral contraceptives, and sulfa drugs)
Acute ischemia: signs [especially limbs] 6 P's: Pain Pallor Pulselessness Paralysis Paraesthesia Perishingly cold
Anemia (normocytic): causes ABCD: Acute blood loss Bone marrow failure Chronic disease Destruction (hemolysis)
Anemia causes (simplified) ANEMIA: Anemia of chronic disease No folate or B12 Ethanol Marrow failure & hemaglobinopathies Iron deficient Acute & chronic blood loss
Atherosclerosis risk factors "You're a SAD BET with these risk factors": Sex: male Age: middle-aged, elderly Diabetes mellitus BP high: hypertension Elevated cholesterol Tobacco
Carcinoid syndrome: components CARCinoid: Cutaneous flushing Asthmatic wheezing Right sided valvular heart lesions Cramping and diarrhea
Cushing syndrome CUSHING: Central obesity/ Cervical fat pads/ Collagen fiber weakness/ Comedones (acne) Urinary free corisol and glucose increase Striae/ Suppressed immunity Hypercortisolism/ Hypertension/ Hyperglycemia/ Hirsutism Iatrogenic (Increased administration of corticosteroids) Noniatrogenic (Neoplasms) Glucose intolerance/Growth retardation
Diabetic ketoacidosis: I vs. II ketONEbodies are seen in type ONEdiabetes.
Gallstones: risk factors 5 F's: Fat Female Fair (gallstones more common in Caucasians) Fertile (premenopausal- increased estrogen is thought to increase cholesterol levels in bile and decrease gallbladder contractions) Forty or above (age)
Hepatomegaly: 3 common causes, 3 rarer causes Common are 3 C's: Cirrhosis Carcinoma Cardiac failure Rarer are 3 C's: Cholestasis Cysts Cellular infiltration
Hyperkalemia (signs and symptoms) MURDER Muscle weakness Urine: oliguria, anuria Respiratory distress Decreased cardiac contractility EKG changes (peaked T waves; QRS widening) Reflexes: Hyperreflexia or areflexia (flaccid)
Hypernatremia (signs and symptoms) FRIED SALT FRIED Fever (low), Flushed skin Restless (irritable) Increased fluid retention, Increased blood pressure Edema (peripheral and pitting) Decreased urinary output, Dry mouth SALT Skin flushed Agitated Low-grade fever Thirst
Inflammatory Bowel Disease: which has cobblestones Crohn's has Cobblestones on endoscopy.
Morphine: effects MORPHINES: Miosis Orthostatic hypotension or "Out of it" Respiratory depression Pain suppression or Pneumonia Histamine release or Hormonal alterations or Hypotension Increased ICT or Infrequency (constipation, or urinary retention) Nausea Euphoria or Emesis Sedation
Kwashiorkor: distinguishing from Marasmus FLAME: Fatty Liver Anemia Malabsorption Edema
Pancreatitis: causes I GET SMASHED: Idiopathic/Infection/Ischaemic Gallstones Ethanol Trauma Steroids/surgery Mumps/malnutrition/mechanical obstruction/metabolic Autoimmune : Vasculitis Scorpion sting Hyperlipidaemia/hypercalcaemia/hereditary/hyperparathyroidism/hypermagnesemia ERCP Drugs : Isoniazid, Thiazides, Azathioprine, Valproic Acid, Estrogen
PKU findings PKU: Pale hair, skin Krazy (neurological abnormalities) Unpleasant smell
Pupils in overdose: morphine vs. amphetamine "MorPHINE:Fine. AmPHETamine:Fat": Morphine overdose: pupils constricted (fine). Amphetamine overdose: pupils dilated (fat).
Pericarditis findings PERICarditis: Pulsus paradoxus ECG changes Rub Increased JVP Chest pain [worse on inspiration, better when leaning forward]
Gout vs. pseudogout: crystal lab findings P seudogout crystals are: P ositive birefringent P olygon shaped Gout therefore is the negative needle shaped crystals. Also, gout classically strikes the great Toe, and its hallmark is Tophi.
Signs of Chronic Liver Disease abcdefghij Asterixis, Ascites, Ankle oedema, Atrophy of testicles Bruising Clubbing/ Colour change of nails (leuconychia) Dupuytren’s contracture Encephalopathy / palmar Erythema Foetor hepaticus Gynaecomastia Hepatomegaly Increase size of parotids Jaundice
References