DEATH SHAFT: ADL & IADL Mnemonics

GERIATRICS, MNEMONICS

Losing your ADLs and IADLs is like falling down the DEATH SHAFT A mnemonic for Activities of Daily Living (DEATH) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (SHAFT) Activities of Daily Living 1. Dressing 2. Eating (Feeding self) 3 & 4. Ambulation (Walking &...

Causes of pancreatitis: I GET SMASHED

GASTROENTEROLOGY, MNEMONICS

I: Ischemia (vasculitis, cholesterol emboli, hypovolemic shock, cardiopulmonary bypass), idiopathic G: gallstones E: ethanol (alcohol) T: tumors: panc/ampullary tumors, mets (breast, lung) S: surgery and trauma: Pancreatic/biliary surgery, manipulated sphincter of...

Opiate WITHDRAWALS

MNEMONICS, PSYCHIATRY

Source: Harriet Lane, 18th ed, pg. 502, section on neonatology Signs and symptoms of opiate withdrawals W -Wakefulness I – Irritability, Insomnia (in adults, also: anxiety and agitation) T – Tremors, Temperature variation, tachypnea, twitching...

ADC VANDALISM – admission orders

HOSPITAL MEDICINE, MNEMONICS

There are several mnemonics to help you remember how to write admission orders. The one i like to use is : Admit & D/C VANDALISM (i.e. ADC VANDALISM) Here’s the general idea: Admit to Med/Surg; Tele;  Intermediate (PCU);  ICU. Select/Write Attending...