I’m going to try to only list mnemonics that I find helpful enough to actually use. This has the upside of keeping the list short and to the point, but the downside of potentially making me look like an idiot, since some of them are incredibly basic. I’m pretty much okay with that, though. Please feel free to comment with any additions! History Differential diagnosis brainstorming: VINDICATE. (Vascular, Infectious, Neoplasm, Drugs, Inflammatory/Idiopathic, Congenital, Autoimmune, Trauma, Endocrine/Metabolic) Depression Screening: SIG. E. CAPS [signature energy capsules] (Sleep, Interest [loss of], Guilt, Energy, Concentration, Appetite, Psychomotor symptoms, Suicidality) Symptom Exploration: OLD CARTS (Onset, Location, Duration, Character, Alleviating/Aggravating factors, Radiation, Timing, Severity) Social History: SAD ONE (Smoking, Alcohol, Drugs — Occupation, Nutrition, Exercise) Alcoholism Screening: CAGE. (Have you ever felt you should Cut back on your drinking? Does it Annoy you when other people criticize your drinking? Do you ever feelGuilty about your drinking? Do you ever need an Eye-opener in the morning?) (Note: When asking about a patient’s consumption of alcohol, two things: 1) If they occasionally have “a glass or two” of wine, ALWAYS ask how many glasses they can get out of a bottle. 2) If you have to prompt them to get them to answer how much they drink per day, overestimation is your friend.) Past Surgical History: Not a mnemonic, but if the patient says they haven’t had any surgeries, it’s beginning to seem like it’s totally worth it to smile and follow it up with “Still have your tonsils, appendix, and all of your original joints?” Physical Heart Auscultation: All Physicians Take Money (from the med student’s left –> right: Aortic valve, pulmonary valve, triscuspid valve, mitral valve) Diastolic vs Systolic Dysfunction: Count the syllables. “Systolic” has 3 syllables. S3 indicates systolic dysfunction. “Diastolic” has 4 syllables, and so an S4 indicates diastolic dysfunction. Neurologic Exam: CNS MD (Cerebellum and gait, Nerves (cranial), Sensory, Muscles, Deep Tendon Reflexes.) Source
What about PINCH ME for causes of psychiatric patients being disturbed Pain Infection Nutrition Constipation Hydration Metabolic Environment
