Mnemonics for Medicine & Surgery
Basic Signs & Symptoms
Chills & Rigors- CAMP
Cholangitis, Abscess, Malaria / Meningitis, Pylonephritis / Pneumonia
Itch, Non-dermatological causes of - DULL JAM
DM, Uraemia, Lymphoma, Leukaemia
Jaundice, Anaemia, Myxoedema
Non-pitting lower limb oedema - MI CHAM
Milroys, infection (filariasis), Congenital, Hypothyroid, Allergy, Malignancy
Shock - HEN SCAM
Hypovolaemia, Endocrine (adrenal, thyroid), Neuropathic (autonomic)
Spinal cord injury/ Sepsis, Cardiac, anapyhlaxis/ anaesthesia, anti HPT, Massive PE
Cardiology
No apex beat - DOPES
Dextrocardia (don’t say this first!), Obesity, Pleural/Pericardial effusion, Emphysema, Shock.
3rd Heart Sound -FIPPY
Failure, Incompetence (mitral/tricuspid), Pregnancy/Pill/PE/Pericarditis, Youth
4th Heart Sound - SHIT
Stenosis (aortic/pulmonary), Hypertension/Heart Block, Ischaemic HD, Tamponade
Arrhythmias - ARHYTHMIAL 4PC
Atrial Myxoma, Rh heart dis, HYpertension, THyrotoxicosis, Mitral valve dis, IHD,
ALcohol
Pneumonia / PE / Pericardial eff, cardiomyopathy
Atrial Fibrillation - ARITHMATIC
Alcohol, Rh fever, IHD, Thyrotoxicosis, Hypertension, Mitral stenosis / MI / Myxoma
(atrial)
ASD, Toxins, Idiopathic/Infective endocarditis Cardiomyopathy/Constrictive pericarditis
Bradycardia, regular- PAD HIM
Physiological (athlete, sleep) / paroxysmal, AV block (2°II, 3°), Drugs (β, dig, amiodarone)
Hypothyroid / hypothermia, Icteric (severe), MI
Dominant R wave in V1 WORD
WPW, Old MI, RBBB, Dextrocardia
EMD Arrest - 4Hs 4Ts
Hypothermia, Hypo & hyper-electrolytes, Hypovolaemia, Hypoxia
Toxic (including drugs), Trauma, Tamponade, Tension pneumothorax
JVP character - MOP HAIR
Multiple wave form, Occludable, Postural changes
Hepatojugular reflex, Above (fills from), Impalpable, Respiratory changes
LVF, Management of FOAM
Frusemide 40mg iv, Oxygen, Atrovent (& Ventolin) nebs, Morphine 2.5 - 5 mg
Mitral Stenosis, Complications PASTRI
Pulm ↑BP, A fib, Systemic embolism, Tricuspid regurg, Right heart failure, Infective
endocarditis
Myocardial infarct, complications ABCDE x2
Arrhythmias / Aneurysm
Bradycardia / ↓BP
Cardiac failure / cardiac tamponade
Dresslers / Death!
Embolism / Extra (VSD, pap muscle rupture)
Pericarditis - DRUMSTICX
Dresslers, Rh fever / RA, Uraemia, MI, SLE, Trauma, Idiopathic, Coxsackie, X-ray
Postural Hypotension- HANDI
Hypovolaemia / hypopituitarism, Addisons, Neuropathy (autonomic), Drugs (vasodilators /
TCADs, diuretics, antipsychotics), Idiopathic
Rheumatic fever:
Major criteria -CASES
Carditis, Arthritis (migratory), Subcut nodules, Erythema marginatum, Syndenhams chorea
Minor criteria 4PA
Pyrexia, prolonged PR, past Hx, positive (ie ↑)ESR/CRP, Arthralgia
Occlusive arterial disease 6Ps
Pain, pallor, pulseless, parasthesia. Paralysis, perishing with cold
Splinter haemorrhages - TRIP SAM
Trauma, RA, Infective Endo, PAN
SLE / Sepsis, Anaemia (profound), Malignancy (haematological)
ST elevation ELEVATION
Electrolytes, LBBB, Early Repolarization, Ventricular hypertrophy, Aneurysm, Treatment (eg
pericardiocentesis), Injury (AMI, contusion), Osborne waves (hypothermia), Non-occlusive
vasospasm (prinzmetal’s)
SVT Causes SNAP
Sinus tachy, nodal tachy, a fib, paroxysmal atrial tachy
Symptoms of aortic stenosis ASD
Angina 2 years }
Syncope 1 year } prognosis
Dyspnoea 6/12 }
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TQ
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