This is a list of mnemonics used in medicine and medical science, categorized and alphabetized. A mnemonic is any technique that assists the human memory with information retention or retrieval by making abstract or impersonal information more accessible and meaningful, and therefore easier to remember; many of them are acronyms or initialisms which reduce a lengthy set of terms to a single, easy-to-remember word or phrase.
MS MAID:
DOPE:
MALES:
"Little Boys Prefer Toys":
"Ears, nose, hose, fingers, and toes"
"Digital PEN" – digits, penis, ear, nose
SPACE DIGS:
"SIG E CAPS":
"Death always brings great acceptance":
HERO:
CHAP:
Delta waves during Deepest sleep (stages 3 and 4, slow-wave)
dREaM during REM sleep
PLANE:
MED:
2 S's:
More detail with 2 more S's:
"The rhythm nearly proved contagious":
In increasing order:
"TIM HALL PVT. (Ltd.) always argue and never (get) tire":
†Note that this initialism uses single letters for each amino acid that are not the same as the standard single-letter codes commonly used in molecular biology to uniquely specify each amino acid; for example, though phenylalanine is represented here by the letter "P", it is formally represented by the letter "F" in most other contexts, and "P" is instead used to formally represent proline.
"Muscles LIVe fast":
"The fat (fat-soluble vitamins) cat lives in the ADEK (vitamins A, D, E, and K)." [3]
A FOLIC DROP:
ABCD:
"Viagra pills cause amajor hardon tendency":
"'On The Hill, LIL' Transformers":
LMNOP: [4]
THE ATRIAL FIBS: [4]
Secret little TIP (about) blood clots: [4]
Signs/symptoms of PE (3)
PE is the most likely diagnosis (3)
Tachycardia >100bpm (1.5)
Iimmobilisation/surgery in the last 4 weeks (1.5)
Previous DVT/PE
Blood in sputum (haemoptysis) (1)
Active cancer (1)
Two tier score: PE likely > 4
PET-MAC [5]
Under 8, intubate. [6]
4 C's: [4]
PQRST(EKG waves): [4]
DOGASH: [4]
ITCHPAD [4]
Infarction
Tension pneumothorax
Cardiac tamponade
Hypovolemia/hypothermia/hypo-,hyperkalemia/hypomagnesmia/hypoxemia
Pulmonary embolism
Acidosis
Drug overdose
SOAP ME
Suction
Oxygen
Airway equipment
Positioning
Monitoring & medications
EtCO2 & other equipment [7]
Rapid sequence intubation medications (RSI) (CCRx)
Very calmly engage the respiratory system
Vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg [8]
Cisatracurium 0.2 mg/kg [8]
Etomidate 0.3 mg/kg [8]
Rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg-1.2 mg/kg [8]
Succinylcholine 1 mg/kg [8]
TV SPARC CUBE: [4]
Thirst
Vomitting
Sweating
Pulse weak
Anxious
Respirations shallow/rapid
Cool
Cyanotic
Unconscious
BP low
Eyes blank
RN CHAMPS (Alternatively: "MR. C.H. SNAP", or "NH CRAMPS"):
Respiratory
Neurogenic
Cardiogenic
Hemorrhagic
Anaphylactic
Metabolic
Psychogenic
Septic [9]
BATS: [4]
Berry aneurysm
Arteriovenous malformation/adult polycystic kidney disease
Trauma
Stroke
HEAD HEART VESSELS: [4]
CNS causes include HEAD:
Hypoxia/hypoglycemia
Epilepsy
Anxiety
Dysfunctional brain stem (basivertebral TIA)
Cardiac causes are HEART:
Heart attack
Embolism (PE)
Aortic obstruction (IHSS, AS or myxoma)
Rhythm disturbance, ventricular
Tachycardia
Vascular causes are VESSELS:
Vasovagal
Ectopic (reminds one of hypovolemia)
Situational
Subclavian steal
ENT (glossopharyngeal neuralgia)
Low systemic vascular resistance (Addison's, diabetic vascular neuropathy)
Sensitive carotid sinus
P-THORAX [10]
Pleuritic pain
Tracheal deviation
Hyperresonance
Onset sudden
Reduced breath sounds (and dyspnea)
Absent fremitus
X-ray shows collapse
Non-pharmacological analgesia. [11]
Non-Pharmacological Analgesic Strategies | |
---|---|
Psychological Interventions | |
T | Therapeutic Touch (e.g. hand-holding) |
W | Warn about painful interventions |
E | Explain what is, or is about to, happen |
E | Eye contact |
D | Defend (patient) dignity |
Physical Interventions | |
S | Stabilise fractures |
A | Apply dressings to cover burns |
S | Soft surface (avoid rigid spinal boards or stretchers) |
H | Hypothermia avoidance |
Shock, shock, shock, everybody shock, little shock, big shock, momma shock, poppa shock: [4]
Shock= Defibrillate
Everybody= Epinephrine
Little= Lidocaine
Big= Bretylium
Momma= MgSO4
Poppa= Procainamide
SPLINT [12]
The 6 P's of comPartment syndrome: [13]
KNIVES: [14]
Kidney – nephropathy
Neuromuscular – peripheral neuropathy, mononeuritis, amyotrophy
Infective – UTIs, TB
Vascular – coronary/cerebrovascular/peripheral artery disease
Eye – cataracts, retinopathy
Skin – lipohypertrophy/lipoatrophy, necrobiosis lipoidica
4 T's:
Teratoma
Thymoma
Testicular-type
T-cell / Hodgkin's lymphoma
Risk is 30% at age 30. Risk is 40% at age 40, and so on.
BLAB:
Bone
Liver
Adrenals
Brain
ABCDEF:
Achalasia
Barret's esophagus
Corrosive esophagitis
Diverticuliis
Esophageal web
Familial
SPEECH:
Superior vena cava syndrome
Paralysis of diaphragm (phrenic nerve)
Ectopic hormones
Eaton-Lambert syndrome
Clubbing
Horner syndrome/ hoarseness
ABCDE:
Asymmetry
Border irregular
Colour irregular
Diameter usually > 0.5 cm
Elevation irregular
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)
"Go look for the adenoma please":
Tropic hormones affected by growth tumor are:
GnRH
LSH
FSH
ACTH
Prolactin function
To assess abdomen, palpate all 4 quadrants for DR. GERM:
Distension: liver problems, bowel obstruction
Rigidity (board like): bleeding
Guarding: muscular tension when touched
Evisceration/ ecchymosis
Rebound tenderness: infection
Masses
AEIOU TIPS
Alcohol
Epilepsy, electrolytes, and encephalopathy
Insulin
Overdose, oxygen
Underdose, uremia
Trauma, temperature
Infection
Psychogenic, poisons
Stroke, shock [15]
One two, put on my shoe - S1/2 roots for Achilles reflex (foot plantarflexion)
Three four, kick the door - L3/4 roots for patellar reflex (knee extension)
Five six, pick up sticks - C5/6 roots for brachioradialis and biceps brachii reflexes (elbow flexion)
Seven eight, shut the gate - C7/8 roots for triceps brachii reflex (elbow extension)
OPQRST (Works well for cardiac, and respiratory patients.) [16]
Onset of the event
Provocation or palliation
Quality of the pain
Region and radiation
Severity
Time
VEAL CHOP
FHR Pattern: | Variable | Early deceleration | Acceleration | Late deceleration |
Meaning: | Cord compression | Head compression | O2 | Placental insufficiency |
5 P's:
Pain
Pallor
Paresthesia
Pulse
Paralysis [18]
DCAP-BTLS
Deformities & discolorations
Penetrations & punctures
Swelling & symmetry
BP-DOC
Bleeding
Pain
Deformities
Open wounds
OTIS CAMPBELL
Organophosphates
Tricyclic antidepressants
Isoniazid, insulin
Sympathomimetics
Camphor, cocaine
Amphetamines
Methylxanthines
PCP, propoxyphene, phenol, propranolol
Benzodiazepine withdrawal, botanicals
Ethanol withdrawal
Lithium, lidocaine
Lindane, lead [19]
ABCDEFGHI:
Acute renal failure
Brain [increased ICP]
Cardiac [inferior MI]
DKA
Ears [labyrinthitis]
Foreign substances [paracetamol, theo, etc.]
Glaucoma
Hyperemesis gravidarum
Infection [pyelonephritis, meningitis]
"All patients take meds":
Reading from top left:
Aortic
Pulmonary
Tricuspid
Mitral
Scale types is 3 V's:
Visual response
Verbal response
Vibratory (motor) response Scale scores are 4,5,6:
Scale of 4: see so much more
Scale of 5: talking jive
Scale of 6: feels the pricks (if testing motor by pain withdrawal)
"Assessed mental state to be positively clinically unremarkable":
Appearance and behaviour [observe state, clothing...]
Mood [recent spirit]
Speech [rate, form, content]
Thinking [thoughts, perceptions]
Behavioural abnormalities
Perception abnormalities
Cognition [time, place, age...]
Understanding of condition [ideas, expectations, concerns]
Signs and symptoms
Allergies
Medications
Past medical history, injuries, illnesses
Last meal/intake
Events leading up to the injury and/or illness
Onset of symptoms
Provocation/pallitive
Quality or character of pain
Region of pain or radiation
Signs, symptoms and severity
Time of onset, duration, intensity
CLORIDE FPP
Character: sharp or dull pain
Location: region (joint) of origin
Onset: sudden vs. gradual
Radiation:
Intensity: how severe (scale 1–10), impact on ADLs (activities of daily living), is it getting better, worse or staying the same?
Duration: acute vs. chronic
Events associated: falls, morning stiffness, swelling, redness, joint clicking or locking, muscle cramps, muscle wasting, movement limitation, weakness, numbness or tingling, fever, chills, trauma (mechanism of injury), occupation activities, sports, repetitive movements
Frequency: intermittent vs. constant, have you ever had this pain before?
Palliative factors: is there anything that makes it better? (rest, activity, meds, heat, cold)
Provocative factors: is there anything that makes it worse? (rest, activity, etc.) [20]
SOCRATES:
Site
Onset
Character
Radiation
Alleviating factors/ associated symptoms
Timing (duration, frequency)
Exacerbating factors
Severity
Alternatively, signs and symptoms with the 'S'
PLOTRADIO
Past history
Location
Onset/offset
Type/character (of pain)
Radiation
Aggravating/alleviating factors
Duration
Intensity
Other associated symptoms
9 F's:
Fat
Feces
Fluid
Flatus
Fetus
Full-sized tumors
Full bladder
Fibroids
False pregnancy
12 P's
Psychological (mental) status
Pupils: size, symmetry, reaction
Paired ocular movements
Papilloedema
Pressure (BP, increased ICP)
Pulse and rate
Paralysis, paresis
Pyramidal signs
Pin prick sensory response
Pee (incontinent)
Patellar reflex
Ptosis
"Breakfast is fast, dinner is slow, both go down":
Bobbing is fast
Dipping is slow
In both, the initial movement is down.
3AM:
3rd nerve palsy
Anti-muscarinic eye drops (e.g. to facilitate fundoscopy)
Myotonic pupil
ABC:
Appearance (SOB, pain, etc.)
Behaviour
Connections (drips, inhalers, etc. connected to patient)
"A VITAMIN C"
Acquired
Vascular
Inflammatory (infectious and non-infectious)
Trauma/ toxins
Autoimmune
Metabolic
Idiopathic
Neoplastic
Congenital
"Absent reflexes should get paediatrics professors mad"
Absent: asymmetrical tonic neck reflex
Reflexes: rooting reflex
Should: suck reflex
Get: grasp reflex
Paediatrics: placing reflex
Professors: parachute reflex
Mad: Moro reflex
BALD CHASM:
Blood pressure (high)
Arthritis
Lung disease
Diabetes
Cancer
Heart disease
Alcoholism
Stroke
Mental health disorders (depression, etc.)
"I'm apeople person"
Inspection
Auscultation
Percussion
Palpation
MJ THREADS:
Myocardial infarction
Jaundice
Tuberculosis
Hypertension
Rheumatic fever/ rheumatoid arthritis
Epilepsy
Asthma
Diabetes
Strokes
VAMP THIS:
Vices (tobacco, alcohol, other drugs, sexual risks)
Allergies
Medications
Preexisting medical conditions
Trauma
History of hospitalizations
Immunizations
Surgeries
SMASH FM:
Social history
Medical history
Allergies
Surgical history
Hospitalizations
Family history
Medications
SOAP:
Subjective: what the patient says.
Objective: what the examiner observes.
Assessment: what the examiner thinks is going on.
Plan: what they intend to do about it
LADDERS:
Living situation/ lifestyle
Anxiety
Depression
Daily activities (describe a typical day)
Environmental risks / exposure
Relationships
Support system / stress
"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
RETARD HEIGHT:
Rickets
Endocrine (cretinism, hypopituitarism, Cushing's)
Turner syndrome
Achondroplasia
Respiratory(suppurative lung disease)
Down syndrome
Hereditary
Environmental (postirradiation, postinfectious)
IUGR
GI (malabsorption)
Heart (congenital heart disease)
Tilted backbone (scoliosis)
S&S:
Sign: I (the examiner) can detect attributes/reactions without patient description
Symptom: patient only can sense attributes/feelings
FED TACOS:
Food
Exercise
Drugs
Tobacco
Alcohol
Caffeine
Occupation
Sexual activity
INVESTIGATIONS:
Iatrogenic
Neoplastic
Vascular
Endocrine
Structural / mechanical
Traumatic
Inflammatory
Genetic / congenital
Autoimmune
Toxic
Infective
Old age / degenerative
Nutritional
Spontaneous / idiopathic
PAST MIDNIGHT:
Psychological
Autoimmune
Spontaneous/idiopathic
Toxic
Metabolic
Inflammatory
Degenerative
Neoplastic
Infection
Genetic
Hematological
Traumatic
VITAMIN CDEF:
Vascular
Infective/inflammatory
Traumatic
Autoimmune
Metabolic
Iatrogenic/idiopathic
Neoplastic
Congenital
Degenerative/developmental
Endocrine/environmental
Functional
LMNOP:
Lump
Mammary changes
Nipple changes
Other symptoms
Patient risk factors
SPIKES:
Setting up
Perception
Invitation
Knowledge
Emotions
Strategy and summary
AEIOU [21]
Acidosis (refractory to treatment)
Electrolyte abnormalities (refractory to treatment, e.g. hyperkalemia)
Ingestions (e.g. methanol, ethylene glycol, lithium, salicylates)
Overload (volume overload refractory to IV diuresis)
Uremia (presenting with pericarditis, bleeding, encephalopathy)
St. VITUS'S DANCE: [4]
Sydenhams
Vascular
Increased RBC's (polycythemia)
Toxins: CO, Mg, Hg
Uremia
SLE
Senile chorea
Drugs
APLA syndrome
Neurodegenerative conditions: HD, neuroacanthocytosis, DRPLA
Conception related: pregnancy, OCP's
Endocrine: hyperthyroidism, hypo-, hyperglycemia
DREAMS: [4]
Dominantly inherited, mostly
Reflexes decreased
Enzymes normal
Apathetic floppy baby
Milestones delayed
Skeletal abnormalities
DEMENTIA: [4]
Drugs/depression
Elderly
Multi-infarct/medication
Environmental
Nutritional
Toxins
Ischemia
Alcohol
"Ataxic GAAit"
Guanine
Adenine
Adenine [22]
HEADS: [4]
Hypertension/ hyperlipidemia
Elderly
Atrial fib
Diabetes mellitus/ drugs (cocaine)
Smoking/sex (male)
Horny PAMELA:
Ptosis
Anhydrosis
Miosis
Enophthalmos
Loss of ciliary-spinal reflex
Anisocoria
DANISH:
Pinpoint pupils are caused by opioids and pontine pathology
CAFÉ SPOT:
Wet, wobbly, wacky:
Some drugs create awesome knockers
Spironolactone
Digitalis
Cimetidine
Alcohol
Ketoconazole [23]
Conduct disorder is seen in children. Antisocial personality disorder is seen in adults.
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
UNHAPPINESS:
Understandable (such as bereavement, major stresses)
Neurotic (high anxiety personalities, negative parental upbringing, hypochondriasis)
Agitation (usually organic causes such as dementia)
Pseudodementia
Pain
Importuning (whingeing, complaining)
Nihilistic
Endogenous
Secondary (i.e. cancer at the head of the pancreas, bronchogenic cancer)
Syndromal
DIMES & 3Ps:
Drugs (or withdrawal)
Infection (PUS = Pneumonia, UTI, Skin)
Metabolic (e.g. Na, Ca, TSH)
Environmental
Structural
Pain
Pee
Poo
I WATCH DEATH [24]
Infections – PUS, CNS
Withdrawal – alcohol, sedatives, barbiturates
Acute metabolic changes – pH, hypo/hyper Na, Ca, acute liver or renal failure
Trauma – brain injury, subdural hematoma
CNS – post-ictal, stroke, tumour, brain mets
Hypoxia – CHF, anemia
Defficiencies – thiamine, niacin, B12 (e.g. chronic G and T alcoholics)
Endocrinopathies – hypo-/hyper-cortisol, hypoglycemia
Acute vascular – hypertensive encephalopathy, septic hypotension
Toxins and Drugs – especially anti-cholinergics, opioids, benzodiazepines
Heavy metals
PINCH ME
Pain
Infection
Nutrition
Constipation
Hydration
Medication
Electrolytes
"The sad tale of Erikson Motors":
Mr. Trust and MsTrust had an auto they were ashamed of. She took the initiative to find the guilty party. She found the industry was inferior. They were making cars with dents [identity] and rolling fuses [role confusion]. Mr. N.T. Macy [intimacy] isolated the problem, General TVT absorbed the cost. In the end, they found the tires were just gritty and the should have used de- spare!
ASEPTIC:
Appearance
Speech
Emotion (objective/subjective)
Perceptions
Thoughts
Insight
Cognition
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)
Must have 3 of MANIAC:
Mouth (pressure of speech)/ Moodl
Activity increased
Naughty (disinhibition)
Insomnia
Attention (distractibility)
Confidence (grandiose ideas)
Sleep terrors and Sleepwalking occur during Slow-wave sleep (stages 3 & 4).Nightmare occurs during REM sleep (and is remembered).
"Depressed patients seem anxious, so call 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, obsessive-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)
4 A's:
Ambivalence
Affective incongruence
Associative loosening
Autism
WITHDraw IT:
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
"Pamela found our rotation particularly exciting; very highly commended mainly 'cus she arouses":
Patient details
Film details
Objects (e.g. lines, electrodes)
Rotation
Penetration
Expansion
Vessels
Hila
Costophrenic angles
Mediastinum
Cardiothoracic ratio
Soft tissues and bones
Air (diaphragm, pneumothorax, subcut. emphysema)
Preliminary is ABCDEF:
AP or PA
Body position
Confirm name
Date
Exposure
Films for comparison
Analysis is ABCDEF:
Airways (hilar adenopathy or enlargement)
Breast shadows / bones (rib fractures, lytic bone lesions)
Cardiac silhoutte (cardiac enlargement) / costophrenic angles (pleural effusions)
Diaphragm (evidence of free air) / digestive tract
Edges (apices for fibrosis, pneumothorax, pleural thickening or plaques) / extrathoracic tissues
Fields (evidence of alveolar filling) / failure (alveolar air space disease with prominent vascularity with or without pleural effusions)
"If you see holes on chest X-ray, they are weird":
Wegener's granulomatosis (now known as granulomatosis with polyangiitis)
Embolic (pulmonary, septic)
Infection (anaerobes, pneumocystis, TB)
Rheumatoid (necrobiotic nodules)
Developmental cysts (sequestration)
Histiocytosis
Oncological
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis
Environmental, occupational
Sarcoid
Alternatively: L=Left atrial myxoma
CRITOE:
Capitellum
Radial head
Internal epicondyle
Trochlea
Olecranon
External epicondyle
"Blood can be very bad":
Blood
Cistern
Brain
Ventricles
Bone
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
LOSS:
Loss of joint space
Osteopyhtes
Subcondral sclerosis
Subchondral cysts
"WW 2" (World War II):
Water is white in a T2 scan.
Conversely, a T1 scan shows fat as being whiter.
BREASTS:
Beryllium
Radiation
Extrinsic allergic alveolitis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Sarcoidosis
TB
Siliconiosis
LEMON
PIPPA
ASTHMA
CAT items: CHEST SEA
To aid memory, think of the chest (or lungs) floating in a sea of yellow sputum, which is commonly seen in COPD.
A TEA SHOP
A CHEST
LMNOP:
Lasix
Morphine
Nitro
Oxygen
Position/positive pressure ventilation [27]
The following may or may not fit properly into one of the above categories. They are being stored in this section either temporarily or permanently. Categorize them if needed.
SLUDGE and the Killer B's:
Salivation
Lacrimation
Urination
Diaphoresis, diarrhea
Gastrointestinal cramping
Emesis
Bradycardia
Bronchospasm
Bronchorrhea [28]
also known as DUMBBELLS
Diarrhea
Urination
Miosis
Bradycardia
Bronchospasm
Emesis
Lacrimation
Loss of muscle strength
Salivation/sweating
Cheyne-Stokes breathing sounds like "chain smokes"
Drugs causing gynaecomastia: DISCO
Isoproterenol
Dopamine
Epinephrine
Atropine sulfate[ citation needed ]
C3, 4, 5 keeps the diaphragm alive [29]
7 P's
Preparation
Preoxygenation
Pretreatment
Paralysis with induction
Positioning
Placement of tube
Postintubation management [30]
LEAN/NEAL
Lidocaine hydrochloride
Epinephrine
Atropine Sulfate
Naloxone hydrochloride [31]
FAT RN:
Fever
Anemia
Thrombocytopenia
Renal
Neuro changes [32]
SOAP BRAIN MD
Serositis
Oral ulcers
Arthritis
Photosensitivity, pulmonary fibrosis
Blood cells
Renal, Raynaud's
ANA
Immunologic (anti-Sm, anti-dsDNA)
Neuropsych
Malar rash
Discoid rash however, not in order of diagnostic importance.
MEDIAN TRAP [12]
WRIST [12]
Ramsay Hunt syndrome type 2, commonly referred to simply as Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) and also known as herpes zoster oticus, is inflammation of the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve as a late consequence of varicella zoster virus (VZV). In regard to the frequency, less than 1% of varicella zoster infections involve the facial nerve and result in RHS. It is traditionally defined as a triad of ipsilateral facial paralysis, otalgia, and vesicles close to the ear and auditory canal. Due to its proximity to the vestibulocochlear nerve, the virus can spread and cause hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. It is common for diagnoses to be overlooked or delayed, which can raise the likelihood of long-term consequences. It is more complicated than Bell's palsy. Therapy aims to shorten its overall length, while also providing pain relief and averting any consequences.
Anorexia is a medical term for a loss of appetite. While the term outside of the scientific literature is often used interchangeably with anorexia nervosa, many possible causes exist for a loss of appetite, some of which may be harmless, while others indicate a serious clinical condition or pose a significant risk.
Shortness of breath (SOB), known as dyspnea or dyspnoea, is an uncomfortable feeling of not being able to breathe well enough. The American Thoracic Society defines it as "a subjective experience of breathing discomfort that consists of qualitatively distinct sensations that vary in intensity", and recommends evaluating dyspnea by assessing the intensity of its distinct sensations, the degree of distress and discomfort involved, and its burden or impact on the patient's activities of daily living. Distinct sensations include effort/work to breathe, chest tightness or pain, and "air hunger". The tripod position is often assumed to be a sign.
Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder or REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder in which people act out their dreams. It involves abnormal behavior during the sleep phase with rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. The major feature of RBD is loss of muscle atonia during otherwise intact REM sleep. The loss of motor inhibition leads to sleep behaviors ranging from simple limb twitches to more complex integrated movements that can be violent or result in injury to either the individual or their bedmates.
The ankle jerk reflex, also known as the Achilles reflex, occurs when the Achilles tendon is tapped while the foot is dorsiflexed. It is a type of stretch reflex that tests the function of the gastrocnemius muscle and the nerve that supplies it. A positive result would be the jerking of the foot towards its plantar surface. Being a deep tendon reflex, it is monosynaptic. It is also a stretch reflex. These are monosynaptic spinal segmental reflexes. When they are intact, integrity of the following is confirmed: cutaneous innervation, motor supply, and cortical input to the corresponding spinal segment.
Chest pain is pain or discomfort in the chest, typically the front of the chest. It may be described as sharp, dull, pressure, heaviness or squeezing. Associated symptoms may include pain in the shoulder, arm, upper abdomen, or jaw, along with nausea, sweating, or shortness of breath. It can be divided into heart-related and non-heart-related pain. Pain due to insufficient blood flow to the heart is also called angina pectoris. Those with diabetes or the elderly may have less clear symptoms.
Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the fibrous sac surrounding the heart. Symptoms typically include sudden onset of sharp chest pain, which may also be felt in the shoulders, neck, or back. The pain is typically less severe when sitting up and more severe when lying down or breathing deeply. Other symptoms of pericarditis can include fever, weakness, palpitations, and shortness of breath. The onset of symptoms can occasionally be gradual rather than sudden.
Hypersomnia is a neurological disorder of excessive time spent sleeping or excessive sleepiness. It can have many possible causes and can cause distress and problems with functioning. In the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), hypersomnolence, of which there are several subtypes, appears under sleep-wake disorders.
Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine is an American textbook of internal medicine. First published in 1950, it is in its 21st edition and comes in two volumes. Although it is aimed at all members of the medical profession, it is mainly used by internists and junior doctors in this field, as well as medical students. It is widely regarded as one of the most authoritative books on internal medicine and has been described as the "most recognized book in all of medicine."
Costochondritis, also known as chest wall pain syndrome or costosternal syndrome, is a benign inflammation of the upper costochondral and sternocostal joints. 90% of patients are affected in multiple ribs on a single side, typically at the 2nd to 5th ribs. Chest pain, the primary symptom of costochondritis, is considered a symptom of a medical emergency, making costochondritis a common presentation in the emergency department. One study found costochondritis was responsible for 30% of patients with chest pain in an emergency department setting.
Respiratory diseases, or lung diseases, are pathological conditions affecting the organs and tissues that make gas exchange difficult in air-breathing animals. They include conditions of the respiratory tract including the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, pleurae, pleural cavity, the nerves and muscles of respiration. Respiratory diseases range from mild and self-limiting, such as the common cold, influenza, and pharyngitis to life-threatening diseases such as bacterial pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, tuberculosis, acute asthma, lung cancer, and severe acute respiratory syndromes, such as COVID-19. Respiratory diseases can be classified in many different ways, including by the organ or tissue involved, by the type and pattern of associated signs and symptoms, or by the cause of the disease.
Organic brain syndrome, also known as organic brain disease, organic brain damage, organic brain disorder, organic mental syndrome, or organic mental disorder, refers to any syndrome or disorder of mental function whose cause is alleged to be known as organic (physiologic) rather than purely of the mind. These names are older and nearly obsolete general terms from psychiatry, referring to many physical disorders that cause impaired mental function. They are meant to exclude psychiatric disorders. Originally, the term was created to distinguish physical causes of mental impairment from psychiatric disorders, but during the era when this distinction was drawn, not enough was known about brain science for this cause-based classification to be more than educated guesswork labeled with misplaced certainty, which is why it has been deemphasized in current medicine. While mental or behavioural abnormalities related to the dysfunction can be permanent, treating the disease early may prevent permanent damage in addition to fully restoring mental functions. An organic cause to brain dysfunction is suspected when there is no indication of a clearly defined psychiatric or "inorganic" cause, such as a mood disorder.
Fever of unknown origin (FUO) refers to a condition in which the patient has an elevated temperature (fever) but, despite investigations by one or more qualified physicians, no explanation is found.
Eperisone is an antispasmodic drug.
Optic neuropathy is damage to the optic nerve from any cause. The optic nerve is a bundle of millions of fibers in the retina that sends visual signals to the brain.
Pediatric advanced life support (PALS) is a course offered by the American Heart Association (AHA) for health care providers who take care of children and infants in the emergency room, critical care and intensive care units in the hospital, and out of hospital. The course teaches healthcare providers how to assess injured and sick children and recognize and treat respiratory distress/failure, shock, cardiac arrest, and arrhythmias.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to emergency medicine:
Orthostatic syncope refers to syncope resulting from a postural decrease in blood pressure, termed orthostatic hypotension.
An epilepsy syndrome is defined as "a characteristic cluster of clinical and Electroencephalography (EEG) features, often supported by specific etiological findings ."
Chest pain in children is the pain felt in the chest by infants, children and adolescents. In most cases the pain is not associated with the heart. It is primarily identified by the observance or report of pain by the infant, child or adolescent by reports of distress by parents or caregivers. Chest pain is not uncommon in children. Many children are seen in ambulatory clinics, emergency departments and hospitals and cardiology clinics. Most often there is a benign cause for the pain for most children. Some have conditions that are serious and possibly life-threatening. Chest pain in pediatric patients requires careful physical examination and a detailed history that would indicate the possibility of a serious cause. Studies of pediatric chest pain are sparse. It has been difficult to create evidence-based guidelines for evaluation.
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