Mnemonics for the NCLEX-RN

(This will be continuously updated as I find mnemonics I like)

Remember, the best mnemonics are the ones you actually remember! If you aren't going to remember it, or can't remember it easily, then there's no reason you should be using brain space for it.

Nursing Process (AD PIE)
  • Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
  • Remember before administering something (like a pain medication), you have to assess
ABCD's
  • Airway, Breathing, Circulation (bleeding), disability (neuro check)
Do not delegate what you can EAT!
  • Evaluate, Assess, Teach 
  • + An unstable patient or medications 
Airborne Precautions
  • MTV on the AIR waves... measles, TB, varicella, VRSA 
  • Private room, negative pressure, N95 mask
Electrolyte Range Acronym
  • Miss Piggy & Kermit Came Home on Cloud Nine
  • Magnesium, phosphorus, potassium (K), calcium, bicarbonate (HCO3), chloride, sodium (Na)
    • The electrolytes go in increasing ranges 
      • Magnesium 1.5-2.5  meq/L 
      • Phosphorus 2.5-4.5 mg/dL 
      • (K) Potassium 3.5-5 (or 5.5) meq/L
      • Calcium 4.5-5.5 meq/L or 8.5-10.5 mg/L 
      • (HCO3) Bicarbonate 22-26
      • Chloride 95-105 meq/L
      • (Na) Sodium 135-145 meq/L
No pee, no K - do not give potassium without adequate urine output
Face is red, raise the head... Face is pale, raise the tail
Shock and increased ICP have opposite vital signs
Conduct disorder is for Children; Antisocial personality disorder is for Adults
COUMADIN + PT = 10 letters
HEPARIN + PTT = 10 letters
Hot and dry, sugar high
Cold and clammy, need some 🍬

AVPU for Responsiveness
  • Alertness
  • Verbal stimuli
  • Pain
  • Unresponsiveness
Kids with Sickle Cell Crisis should HHOP
  • Heat
  • Hydration
  • Oxygen
  • Pain relief
Ventilator Alarms HOLD
  • High - Obstruction (including if the patient coughs, gags, or bites)
  • Low - Disconnection (including if the patient stops spontaneously breathing)
Cane Walking COAL
  • Cane Opposite Affected Leg
The 5s of Addisons Disease

  • Salt replacement
  • Sugar (dextrose) replacement
  • Steroid replacement 
  • Support of physiologic functions 
  • Search and treat any underlying cause

The 5 Ps of Compartment Syndrome
  • Pain
  • Pallor
  • Pulselessness
  • Polar
  • Paresthesia
The 5 Ps of Labor
  • Passageway
  • Passenger
  • Powers - uterine contractions 
  • Position
  • Psychological response
The 4 Fs of Gallbladder Disease (risk factors)
  • Female
  • Forty 
  • Fat (obesity)
  • Fertile (usually have children)
MONA for Acute Coronary Syndrome - any time the heart does not get enough blood (ex. angina or heart attacks)

  • Morphine
  • Oxygen
  • Nitroglycerin
  • Aspirin

The 4 C's of a Transesophageal Fistula... when the esophagus doesn't fully develop. It's a surgical emergency!
  • Choking 
  • Coughing 
  • Cyanosis
  • Continuous drooling 
TORCHS
  • Toxoplasmosis
  • Rubella
  • CMV 
  • Herpes
  • Syphilis
HELLP Syndrome: Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelets

The 4 A's of Schizophrenia
  • Affect 
  • Autism - preoccupation with self and retreat into fantasy
  • Association - loosely joined unrelated topics 
  • Ambivalence 
Have CAUTION with Cancer
  • Change in bowel or bladder habits 
  • A sore that does not heal
  • Unusual bleeding or discharge
  • Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere 
  • Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
  • Obvious change in wart or mole 
  • Nagging cough or hoarseness 
The ABCDs of Skin Cancer
  • Asymmetrical
  • Borders 
  • Colors 
  • Diameter (>5mm
Drug Levels
  • Magnesium Sulfate 4-7 mg/dl 
    • A vasodilator that rapidly lowers BP
    • S/E: Drowsiness and hot flashes 
    • Complications include maternal hypotension, absence of DTR, oliguria, and apnea
  • Elevation of a baby's bilirubin level >12 mg/dl may require phototherapy

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