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Download for FREE today -  special Mnemonics Cheatsheet - so you can be SURE that you have that Must Know information down:  bit.ly/nursing-memory   Outline ACHES A-Abdominal Pain C-Chest Pain H-Headache E-Eye Problems S-Severe Leg Pain Description Because oral contraceptives can cause clots, we should monitor for the following serious complications in patients taking oral contraceptives: abdominal pain, chest pain, headache, eye problems, swelling or aching in the legs or thighs.

Download for FREE today -  special Mnemonics Cheatsheet - so you can be SURE that you have that Must Know information down:  bit.ly/nursing-memory   Outline NNN N-Non-reactive N-Non-Stress test is N-Not good Description A non-reactive result in a non-stress test is not good. During a non-stress test the fetal heart rate is monitored during movement. A reactive result is a good sign indicating intact central and autonomic nervous system. A reactive non-stress test result would be 2 accelerations to a certain level for greater than 15 seconds within a 20 minute period. If this does not occur the test is non-reactive.

Download for FREE today -  special Mnemonics Cheatsheet - so you can be SURE that you have that Must Know information down:  bit.ly/nursing-memory   Outline PAINS P-Period (menstrual: late, spotting, bleeding) A-Abdominal pain, dyspareunia (painful intercourse) I-Infection (abnormal vaginal discharge) N-Not feeling well, fever or chills S-String missing Description An intrauterine device is inserted into the uterus and is used to prevent pregnancy. There are two different types: hormonal and copper IUD.

Download for FREE today -  special Mnemonics Cheatsheet - so you can be SURE that you have that Must Know information down:  bit.ly/nursing-memory   Outline HELLP H-Hemolysis E-Elevated L-Liver function tests L-Low P-Platelet count Description HELLP syndrome is a severe and life-threatening complication, typically related to preeclampsia. It typically occurs in the third trimester.The defining characteristics are hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells), elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count.

Download for FREE today -  special Mnemonics Cheatsheet - so you can be SURE that you have that Must Know information down:  bit.ly/nursing-memory   Outline ALONE A-Amniocentesis L-L/S Ratio O-Oxytocin Test N-Non-Stress Test E-Estriol Level Description An amniocentesis is performed during the prenatal period. A needle is inserted to obtain a sample of amniotic fluid, which can be used to identify chromosomal abnormalities. L/S ratio compares lecithin– phosphatidyl choline to sphingomyelin to identify infant lung maturity. The oxytocin test measures fetal heart rate during contractions induced by oxytocin. A non-stress test measures fetal heart rate while baby is at rest and while baby is moving. Estriol levels in mother’s blood can be a marker for fetal well-being.

Download for FREE today -  special Mnemonics Cheatsheet - so you can be SURE that you have that Must Know information down:  bit.ly/nursing-memory   Outline VEAL CHOP V-Variable E-Early A-Accelerations L-Late C-Cord Compression H-Head Compression O-Okay P-Placental Insufficiency A fetal acceleration is an abrupt increase in fetal heart rate above the established baseline. A fetal deceleration is a decrease in fetal heart rate below the established fetal heart rate. The VEAL CHOP nursing mnemonic can be used to help remember how to interpret fetal heart rate during labor. For example, early decelerations in FHR (fetal heart rate) indicate head compression. It is typical for decels in FHR during a contraction because of head compression, but FHR should return to normal when contraction ends.

Download for FREE today -  special Mnemonics Cheatsheet - so you can be SURE that you have that Must Know information down:  bit.ly/nursing-memory   Outline REEDA R-Redness E-Edema E-Ecchymosis D-Discharge, Drainage A-Approximation Description Redness with pain, excess edema, ecchymosis (bruising), or discharge/drainage from the wound can all be signs of problems with healing after an episiotomy. Wound edges should be well approximated. Topical ointments and ice packs may be indicated if there is pain or excess swelling, or other signs of infection.

Download for FREE today -  special Mnemonics Cheatsheet - so you can be SURE that you have that Must Know information down:  bit.ly/nursing-memory   Outline The 4 T’s T-Tetralogy of Fallot T-Truncus Arteriosus T-Transposition of the Great Vessels T-Tricuspid Atresia Description Cyanotic heart defects are a group of congenital heart defects that result from deoxygenated blood by-passing the lungs and going into systemic circulation. Tetralogy of Fallot includes 4 anatomical abnormalities that are pictured below. Truncus Arteriosus is a condition where the pulmonary trunk and aorta don’t properly divide in development. This results in one large vessel carrying mixed blood to the heart, lungs, and systemic circulation. Transportation of the Great Vessels is a condition where vessels are swapped or may be in abnormal positions. Tricuspid Atresia is a condition where there is no tricuspid valve, which leads to an undersized or absent right ventricle.

Download for FREE today -  special Mnemonics Cheatsheet - so you can be SURE that you have that Must Know information down:  bit.ly/nursing-memory   Outline DIG FAST D-Distractibility I-Indiscretion G-Grandiosity   F-Flight of Ideas A-Activity Increase S-Sleep Deficit T-Talkative Manic attack signs and symptoms nursing mnemonic description The above signs would be indicative of a patient experiencing a manic episode. A manic episode is a state in which the patient experiences abnormally elevated mood, typically lasting at least one week. Think of a dog ‘manically’ digging for a bone.

Download for FREE today -  special Mnemonics Cheatsheet - so you can be SURE that you have that Must Know information down:  bit.ly/nursing-memory   Outline SIGNS S-Sleep Disturbances I-Interest Decreased G-Guilty Feelings N-No Energy S-Sadness (Crying spells) Description Monitor for these SIGNS in patients that may be at risk for depression.

Download for FREE today -  special Mnemonics Cheatsheet - so you can be SURE that you have that Must Know information down:  bit.ly/nursing-memory   Outline DEMENTIA DEMENTIA Make certain they don’t have problems with: D-Drugs and alcohol E-Eyes and ears M-Metabolic and endocrine disorders E-Emotional disorders N-Neurologic disorders T-Tumors and trauma I-Infection A-Arteriovascular disease Description When assessing a patient for dementia it is important to ensure that one of the following listed conditions isn’t an underlying cause for the dementia symptoms.

Download for FREE today -  special Mnemonics Cheatsheet - so you can be SURE that you have that Must Know information down:  bit.ly/nursing-memory   Outline ANOREXIA A-Amenorrhea N-No organic factors accounts for weight loss O-Obviously thin but feels FAT R-Refusal to maintain normal body weight E-Epigastric discomfort is common X-X-symptoms (peculiar symptoms) I-Intense fears of gaining weight A-Always thinking of food Description Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by low body weight and periods of starvation or binging and purging. The lack of adequate nutrition and fat stores can lead to amenorrhea. Patients with anorexia will feel fat even if underweight, as anorexia is an unhealthy way to cope with emotional problems. Binging and purging can lead to damage of the GI tract and epigastric discomfort. Some peculiar symptoms may also be seen: abnormal blood counts, bluish discoloration of the fingers, hair that thins, breaks or falls out, or soft downy hair covering the body.   BULIMIA B-Binge eating U-Under strict dieting L-Lacks control/over-eating Induced vomiting M-Minimum of two binge eating episodes I-Increase/Persistent concern of body size/shape A-Abuse of diuretics and laxatives Description Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by binging and purging. Patients may go through periods of excessive eating and then try to purge be inducing vomiting, taking laxatives or diuretics, or going through periods of fasting.