Mnemonics for USMLE Step 2 CS cases HPI (history of present illness)
Ask for:
LIQOR AAA Code:
L Location of the symptom (forehead, wrist
)
I Intensity of the symptom (scale 1-10, 6/10)
Q Quality of the symptom (burning, pulsating pain
)
O Onset of the symptom + precipitating factors
R Radiation of the symptom ( to left shoulder and arm)
A Associated symptoms ( palpitations, shortness of breath)
A Alleviating factors (sitting with my chest on my knees)
A Aggravating factors (effort, smoking, large meals)
PMH (past medical history)
Search for:
PAM HUGS FOSS Code:
P Previous presence of the symptom (same chief complaint)
A Allergies (drugs, foods, chemicals, dust
)
M Medicines (any drugs the patient used)
H Hospitalization for any illness in the past
U Urinary changes ( esp if diabetic, elderly
)
G Gastrointestinal complains (diet changes, bowel movements
)
S Sleep pattern (waking up/going to sleep
)
F Family history (simmilar chief complaints/serious illness)
O OB/GYN history (LMP, abortions, para
)
S Sexual habits (active/preferences/STD
)
S Social life (job/house/smoking/alcohol
..)
Pain history checklist
mnemonic:
CLITORIS: Code:
Character
Location
Intensity
Timing
Onset
Radiating
Irritating and relieving factors
Symptoms associated
Differential diagnosis checklist
mnemonic:
DIRECTION: Code:
Drugs
Infection
Rheumatologic
Endocrine
Cardiovascular
Trauma
Inflammatory
Other
Neoplasm
For Social History
mnemonic:
TIA SHOE Code:
T obacco
I llicit drigs
A lcohol
S exual
H ouse life
O ccupation
E ating (diet)
-
premenopausal symptoms
mnemonic:
HAVOC Code:
H- hotflahes
A-atropy of vagina
V-vaginal dryness
O- osteoporosis
C- coronary artery diseases
Depression.
mnemonic:
SIGEMCAPS Code:
S-sleep
I-interest
G-guilt,gun
E-energy
M-mood
C-concentration
A-appetite
P-psycomotor
S-suicide
Fatigue
mnemonic:
IMP ADH Code:
I-infectin
M -malignancy
P-ptsd
A-abuse
D-depression
H-hypothyroidism
Insomnia counselling
mnemonic=
ABCDEFGHJKLMN Code:
Avoid
Bedtime
Concerns (worries)
Drugs (nicotine/caffeine/Alcohol)
Excercise/Excitement (TV Shows)
Follow
Good
Habits for sleep.
Jetlag
Keep
List (Diary)
Monitor
Naps (day time)
-
Enuresis Counselling
mnemonic=
SMILE SAM Code:
Supportive (of the child)
Monitor Intake (@ Day)
Limit (@ Night)
Encourage Washroom( @ bedtime)
Sheets ( Rubber flannel sheets)
Alarms ( >5yrs )
Motivate (thru Rewards)
Conselling DM & HTN
mnemonic=
MEDOWS Code:
Medications (regularity)
Excercise ( for obese/sedentary life styles)
Diet Modification( Salt/Fatty foods)
Opthalmoscopic exams (annual routine)
Weight Management (/control)
Suger Check ups
Smoking Cessation counselling
mnemonic=
SPANCSTER Code:
Stressor ( any stress in life/tension etc )
Problems ( Heart /Lung/ CA)
Advantages ( Improved breathing & Increased energy)
Nicotine Patch ( I can offer you reading materials )
Counsellors ( I can refer u/ give # )
Support systems ( I can refer u /give #)
Taper down ( if u cant do cold turkey den just taper down a bit)
Excercise Programs ( eg Swimming )
Rewards ( reward urself, treat urself with a dinner 4m money saved off of quitting)
-
STD / HIV Counselling
mnemonic:
STRIP BIMBO ! Code:
SAFE SEXUAL PRACTICES
TRANSMISSION ( to partners )
RISKS ( acquiring more STDs)
IMMUNIZATIONS ( for Influenza/ Pneumococcal )
PREVENTION COUNSELLING ( REFER TO SW /CAN GIVE #)
BEHAVIOUR COUNSELLING (REFER / CAN GIVE #)
INTERVENTIONAL COUNSELLING ( REFER /CAN GIVE #)
MEDICATIONS
BARRIER METHODS (CONDOMS
OPPURTUNISTIC INFECTIONS/OBSERVATION (FOR LABS)
HOPI For A CC OF URINARY COMPLAINT
mnemonic:
FINISHED PUBS Code:
Frequency ( How frequent do u Ux)
Incontinence( Do u hav trouble holding Ux)
Nocturia ( do u hav 2 wak up @ Night)
Incomplete emptying ( do u feel fullnes after Ux)
Stream (How is ur stream?)
Hematuria ( did u notic any blood)
Hesitancy (do u hav 2 wait b4 starting Ux)
Dysuria (Did u hav diff Ux)
Pyuria ( did u pus in Ux)
Urgency (do u hav 2 rush)
Burning (dysuria) (does it burn)
Strain (Do u hav to strain during Ux)
-
OBESITY
mnemonic:
OBESITY-DISC Code:
Osteoarthritis
Breathing problems
Excess Cholestrol
Sleep Apnea
Increased Incidence Cas (Endomet/Breast/Colon)
Type 2 DM
hYpertension
Depression
Incontinence
Stress
Cholelithiasis/Cycle disturbances/Cardiac
Syncope/ Loss of Consciousness/Spells
mnemonic:
CAMPUS - CAD
- Arrythmias/ Aortic Stenosis
- Migraine/ Meds
- Psychiatric /Personality disorder( hyperventilation)
- Unexplained Syncope
- Seizures/Strokes
D/D Confusion
mnemonic =
DEMENTIA - Diabetes /Dementia/ Drugs
- Epilepsy
- Migraine/Mult Infarct Dementia
- Ethanol (withdrawl / Toxicity)
- Neurological Deficit diseases= BETA (Bleeds,Encephalitis,Tumors,Abscess,Meningitis)
- TIA/ Trauma
- Insulin/ Infections
- Alzheimers/Abscess
D/D = BACK PAIN
mnemonic =
LIMCOTS - Lumbar Spinal stenosis
- Intervertebral disc herniation
- Multiple Myeloma/ Mets (Prostate, Breast ,Lung)
- Cauda equina synd/ Cancer
- Osteoporosis/Osteoarthritis
- Trauma/ TB
- Strain (muscle)
Nasuea & Vomiting
mnemonic=
A MOPING - Anorexia
- Metabolic( DKA)/Meds
- Obstruction (pyloric /Intestinal)
- Pregnancy
- Inflammation( Pyelo/Cholecysto/Appi/Pancreas/PID)
- Neurological (BETA)= Bleed/Encephalitis/Tumor/Abscess
- Gastroenteritis
Dizziness
mnemonic:
DENTAL CAMPUS - Diabetic comp ( Orthostatic )
- Ear problems (Menieres/ BPV)
- Neural tumors/Neuropathy
- Thyroid
- Anemia
- L leave me
- CAMPUS is same as is for SPELLS/LOC/SYNCOPE
Mnemonic for orderly HOPI questions
mnemonic=
ABCDF- SIQOR AA ROS
- Appear/Begin=Duration
- Context= Precipitation (wht were u doin b4, during ?Anythin different?)
- Development = Progression (sudden / progressive, Any changes overtime)
- Frequency= persistent/intermittent ( how often/how long)
- Site
- Intensity= 0-10/10
- Quality = character
- Other sympt = ROS
- Radiation= move
- Aggravation
- Alleviation
- ROS