List of pathology mnemonics

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This is a list of pathology mnemonics , categorized and alphabetized. For mnemonics in other medical specialities, see this list of medical mnemonics.

Contents

Acute intermittent porphyria: signs and symptoms

5 Ps: [1]

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) [2]

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 [3]

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 [3]

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/hypermagnesia

ERCP

Drugs : Isoniazid, Thiazides, Azathioprine, Valproic Acid, Estrogen [4]

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 [5]

Related Research Articles

Calcium channel blockers (CCB), calcium channel antagonists or calcium antagonists are a group of medications that disrupt the movement of calcium through calcium channels. Calcium channel blockers are used as antihypertensive drugs, i.e., as medications to decrease blood pressure in patients with hypertension. CCBs are particularly effective against large vessel stiffness, one of the common causes of elevated systolic blood pressure in elderly patients. Calcium channel blockers are also frequently used to alter heart rate, to prevent peripheral and cerebral vasospasm, and to reduce chest pain caused by angina pectoris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nephrotic syndrome</span> Collection of symptoms due to kidney damage

Nephrotic syndrome is a collection of symptoms due to kidney damage. This includes protein in the urine, low blood albumin levels, high blood lipids, and significant swelling. Other symptoms may include weight gain, feeling tired, and foamy urine. Complications may include blood clots, infections, and high blood pressure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gallstone</span> Disease where stones form in the gallbladder

A gallstone is a stone formed within the gallbladder from precipitated bile components. The term cholelithiasis may refer to the presence of gallstones or to any disease caused by gallstones, and choledocholithiasis refers to the presence of migrated gallstones within bile ducts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hemolytic anemia</span> Medical condition

Hemolytic anemia or haemolytic anaemia is a form of anemia due to hemolysis, the abnormal breakdown of red blood cells (RBCs), either in the blood vessels or elsewhere in the human body (extravascular). This most commonly occurs within the spleen, but also can occur in the reticuloendothelial system or mechanically. Hemolytic anemia accounts for 5% of all existing anemias. It has numerous possible consequences, ranging from general symptoms to life-threatening systemic effects. The general classification of hemolytic anemia is either intrinsic or extrinsic. Treatment depends on the type and cause of the hemolytic anemia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combined hyperlipidemia</span> Medical condition

Combined hyperlipidemia is a commonly occurring form of hypercholesterolemia characterised by increased LDL and triglyceride concentrations, often accompanied by decreased HDL. On lipoprotein electrophoresis it shows as a hyperlipoproteinemia type IIB. It is the most commonly inherited lipid disorder, occurring in around one in 200 persons. In fact, almost one in five individuals who develop coronary heart disease before the age of 60 have this disorder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chlortalidone</span> Thiazide-like diuretic drug

Chlortalidone, also known as chlorthalidone, is a thiazide-like diuretic drug used to treat high blood pressure, swelling including that due to heart failure, liver failure, and nephrotic syndrome, diabetes insipidus, and renal tubular acidosis. Because chlortalidone is reliably effective in most patients with high blood pressure, it is considered a preferred initial treatment. It is also used to prevent calcium-based kidney stones. It is taken by mouth. Effects generally begin within three hours and last for up to three days. Chlortalidone is more effective than hydrochlorothiazide for prevention of heart attack or stroke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xylazine</span> Equine medication

Xylazine is a pharmaceutical drug used for sedation, anesthesia, muscle relaxation, and analgesia in animals such as horses, cattle, and other non-human mammals. Veterinarians also use xylazine as an emetic, especially in cats. It is an analog of clonidine and an agonist at the α2 class of adrenergic receptor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glucuronic acid</span> Chemical compound

Glucuronic acid is a uronic acid that was first isolated from urine. It is found in many gums such as gum arabic, xanthan, and kombucha tea and is important for the metabolism of microorganisms, plants and animals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hypertensive emergency</span> Profoundly elevated blood pressure resulting in symptomatic end-organ injury

A hypertensive emergency is very high blood pressure with potentially life-threatening symptoms and signs of acute damage to one or more organ systems. It is different from a hypertensive urgency by this additional evidence for impending irreversible hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD). Blood pressure is often above 200/120 mmHg, however there are no universally accepted cutoff values. Signs of organ damage are discussed below.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aminoglutethimide</span> Group of stereoisomers

Aminoglutethimide (AG), sold under the brand names Elipten, Cytadren, and Orimeten among others, is a medication which has been used in the treatment of seizures, Cushing's syndrome, breast cancer, and prostate cancer, among other indications. It has also been used by bodybuilders, athletes, and other men for muscle-building and performance- and physique-enhancing purposes. AG is taken by mouth three or four times per day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metolazone</span> Chemical compound

Metolazone is a thiazide-like diuretic marketed under the brand names Zytanix, Metoz, Zaroxolyn, and Mykrox. It is primarily used to treat congestive heart failure and high blood pressure. Metolazone indirectly decreases the amount of water reabsorbed into the bloodstream by the kidney, so that blood volume decreases and urine volume increases. This lowers blood pressure and prevents excess fluid accumulation in heart failure. Metolazone is sometimes used together with loop diuretics such as furosemide or bumetanide, but these highly effective combinations can lead to dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protriptyline</span> Chemical compound

Protriptyline, sold under the brand name Vivactil among others, is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA), specifically a secondary amine, indicated for the treatment of depression and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Uniquely among most of the TCAs, protriptyline tends to be energizing instead of sedating, and is sometimes used for narcolepsy to achieve a wakefulness-promoting effect.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mephentermine</span> Adrenergic and dopaminergic cardiac stimulant

Mephentermine is a cardiac stimulant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xipamide</span> Chemical compound used as a diuretic

Xipamide is a sulfonamide diuretic drug marketed by Eli Lilly under the trade names Aquaphor and Aquaphoril. It is used for the treatment of oedema and hypertension.

Glomerulonephrosis is a non-inflammatory disease of the kidney (nephrosis) presenting primarily in the glomerulus as Nephrotic Syndrome. The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney and it contains the glomerulus, which acts as a filter for blood to retain proteins and blood lipids. Damage to these filtration units results in important blood contents being released as waste in urine. This disease can be characterized by symptoms such as fatigue, swelling, and foamy urine, and can lead to chronic kidney disease and ultimately end-stage renal disease, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Glomerulonephrosis can present as either primary glomerulonephrosis or secondary glomerulonephrosis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Butizide</span>

Butizide is a diuretic of the thiazide class.

References

  1. Biochemistry Mnemonics for Health Sciences Students & Professionals. Examville Study Guides. p. 6.
  2. "Clinical Cases Cholelithiasis (Gallstones)". University of Michigan. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  3. 1 2 Mega List of Mnemonics for Nurses & Nursing Students. Examville Study Guides. 2010.
  4. Causes of pancreatitis (mnemonic)
  5. "Hepatology Mnemonics - Oxford Medical Education" . Retrieved 2015-08-23.