Anaesthetic Mnemonics

(For vivas, SAQ plans and MCQs)

 would like to thank Dr Andrew Williams for providing this list of mnemonics. If you would like to add your own to this list please send them in via our feedback page!

How do you anaesthetise xyz?

Preop – I,E,HEMI,COPT

Introduction &

Explanation of role

History

Examination

Medications and allergies

Investigations

Consent (check surgical and verbal anaesthetic)

Optimise

Premedicate

Transfer to theatre – bed/chair/oxygen etc

Intraop – (Aims) – HONE

Haemodynamic stability

Optimal fluid management

Normocarbia, Normoglycaemia, Normothermia, Normoxia

Excellent pain control

Methods – (Anaesthetic room) – MISTS, DAM, TIA

Machine

Insruments

Suction

Tilting trolley

Skilled assistance

Drugs

Access

Monitoring

Transfer to theatre for induction?

Induction

Airway

Theatre – PMR

Positioning

Maintenance

Reversal

Postop – ABCD, AFTER

Airway

Breathing

Circulation

Drugs, Disability, DVT (is clexane prescribed)

Analgesia

Fluids

Temperature

Endocrine – check blood sugar

Recovery site – ITU / HDU / recovery

Can be adapted e.g for RSI just by rattling off ‘In a place of safety I ensure that I have MISTS, DAM’

Antihypertensives in ITU

ABG, DA

Alpha blockes

Beta blockers

Ganglion bockers

Direct vasodilators

Alpha 2 agonists

Causes of raised ICP

THIN, BB

Trauma

Hydrocephalus

Infection

Neoplasia

Bleeding

Benign intracranial hypertension

Causes of neutrophilia

PAMMI’S BITS

Pregnancy

Acute haemorrhage

Malignancy

Myeloproliferative disorders

Iatrogenic – prednisolone

Severe metabolic disease e.g DKA

Bacterial infections

Inflammatory disesae

Trauma

Surgery

Causes of Post Partum Haemorrhage

TUBA

Tears – cervical/vulval

Uterine dehiscence – previous LSCS, previous myomectomy, rotational forceps delivery

Broad ligament haematoma

Atonic uterus

Causes of a collapsing pulse

FAT, PA

Fever

Anaemia

Thyrotoxicosis

Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Aortic Regurgitation

Causes of hypochromic microcytic anaemia

I, SAT

Iron deficiency

Sideroblastic anaemia

Anaemia of chronic disease

Thalassaemias

Drugs that cause peripheral neuropathy

MANIC, PVC

Metronidazole

Amiodarone

Nitrofurantoin

Isoniazid

Cisplatin

Phenytoin

Vincristine/Vinblastine

Ciprofloxacin

Drugs that induce lupus

CHIMPS,P

Carbamazepine

Hydralazine

Isoniazid

Methyldopa

Procainamide

Sulphonamides / Sulphazalasine

Phenytoin

Drugs that cause hepatitis

VAMPIRES

Valproate

Amiodarone

Methyldopa

Pyrazinamide

Isoniazid

Rifampicin

phenYtoin (sounds like E)

Simvastatin

Causes of decreased TLCO (transfer factor)

PACIVE

Pneumonectomy

Anaemia

COPD

Intersitial lung disease

Vasculitides

Extrathoracic restriction

Effects of Dopamine

BLAH

Beta effects at Low dose

Alpha effects at High dose


 would like to thank Dr Ben Rippin for the following mnemonics:

Enzyme Inducers

GAP PRICE

Griesofluvin
Alchohol (chronic)
Phenytoin

Primidone
Rifampicin
Inhalation agents
Carbamazapine
Ethanol

Enzyme Inhibitors

MC FEED CAKE

Metronidazole
Ciprofloxacin

Fluconazole
Erythromycon
Ethanol (acute)
Dextropropoxyphene

Cimetidine
Amiodarone
Ketoconazole
Etomidate

Links