electrolyte mnemonics

Hypocalcemia S/S

C.A.T.S.
C - Convulsions
A- Arrhythmias
T - Tetany (involuntary contraction of muscles)
S - Spasms and stridor

Hypernatremia S/S

You are 'fried' or S.A.L.T.
F - Fever (low grade), flushed skin
R - Restless (irritable)
I - Increased fluid retention and increased BP
E - Edema (peripheral and pitting)
D - Decreased urinary output, dry mouth
S = Skin flushed
A = Agitation
L = Low-grade

HyperKalemia S/S

M.U.R.D.E.R.
M - Muscle weakness
U - Urine, oliguria, anuria
R- Respiratory distress
D - Decreased cardiac contractility
E - ECG changes
R - Reflexes, hyperreflexia, or areflexia (flaccid)

HyperKalemia causes

M.A.C.H.I.N.E.
M - Medications - ACE inhibitors, NSAIDS
A - Acidosis - Metabolic and respiratory
C - Cellular destruction - Burns, traumatic injury
H - Hypoaldosteronism, hemolysis
I - Intake - Excesssive
N - Nephrons, renal failure
E - Excretion - Impair

Treatment for CHF

U.N.L.O.A.D. F.A.S.T
U sit Upright
N Nitro
L Lasix
O Oxygen
A Aminophylline
D Digoxin
F Fluids- decrease
A Afterload - decrease
S Sodium - decrease
T Tests: dig level, ABG, K+

Diabetes mneumonic

Hot and Dry Sugars high
Cold and Clammy need some candy

Cause of ST elevation

E.L.E.V.A.T.I.O.N.
E - Electrolytes
L - LBBB
E - Early Repolarization
V - Ventricular hypertrophy
A - Aneurysm
T - Treatment - Pericardiocentesis
I - Injury (AMI, contusion)
O - Osborne waves (hypothermia)
N - Non-occlusive vasospasm

Hypercalcemia causes

S.H.A.M.P.O.O. D.I.R.T.
S - Sarcoidosis
H - Hyperparathypoidism, Hyperthyroidism
A - Alkali-milk syndrome
M - Metastases, myeloma
P - Paget disease
O - Osteogenesis imperfecta
O - Osteoporosis
D - Vitamin intoxication
I - Immobility
R - RTA
T - Thiazides

Main causes for Metabolic acidosis

D.H.L.
D - Diabetic acidosis
H - Hyperchloremic acidosis
L - Lactic acidosis

Hypokalemia causes

B.A.D. L.O.A.D.
B-arters/Conns syndrome(hyperaldosteronism)
A-lkalosis
D-iuretics
L-axative abuse
O-ther causes: insulin overdose
A-cute glucose load
D-iarrhoea

Hyponatremia CM

S.A.L.T. L.O.S.S.
S-tupor/coma
A-norexia, N&V
L-ethargy
T-endon reflexes decreased
L-imp muscles (weakness)
O-rthostatic hypotension
S-eizures/headache
S-tomach cramping