Mnemonics are very useful for medical practice. They not only allow for prompt and safe assessment of patients, they also indicate red flag conditions early.
Below are some of the most commonly used mnemonics in medicine.
|
Mnemonic |
Stands for |
Used for |
|
OPQRSTU |
Onset Provoking/relieving factors Quality Radiating Site Time What do U think it is? |
History taking and gather info about pain |
|
SOCRATES |
Site Onset Character Radiating Associated symptoms Time Exacerbating/relieving factors Score |
History taking about pain |
|
MJTHREADS |
Myocardial infarction Jaundice Thrombosis/Tuberculosis Hypertension Rheumatic fever Epilepsy Asthma Diabetes Stroke/surgery |
Gather information about a patient’s past medical history – these conditions can raise red flags for the cause of presenting complaint/cause complications |
|
SAMPLE |
Signs and symptoms Allergies Medication Past medical history Last oral intake Events leading to illness/injury |
Method of taking a patient history |
|
DRABCDE |
Danger Response Airway Breathing Circulation Disability Expose |
Method of taking a primary survey/end of bed assessment |
|
TICLS |
Tone Interactivity Consolability Look/gaze Speech/cry |
Used to assess the appearance of paediatrics |
|
APGAR |
Activity Pulse Grimace Appearance Respiration |
Used to assess new-born babies |
|
HELLP |
Haemolysis Elevated liver enzymes Low platelet count |
HELLP syndrome is an obstetric emergency similar to pre-eclampsia |
|
FAST |
Face Arms Speech Time (to go) |
Test used to recognise stroke |
|
ROSIER |
Recognition Of Stroke In the Emergency room |
Like FAST test but slightly more detailed |
|
PEARL |
Pupils Equal And Reactive to Light |
Used to describe patient’s pupils if equal |
|
GEMS |
Geriatric giants Environmental assessment Medical assessment Social Assessment |
Way of assessing elderly patients |
|
DAME |
Drugs/alcohol Ageing effects Medical conditions Environment/equipment |
Way of assessing risk of falls in elderly |