Studying for nursing school and the NCLEX can feel like trying to drink from a firehose—there’s so much information, and it all feels important! That’s where nursing mnemonics come in.
Mnemonics are powerful memory tricks that help you recall complex nursing concepts quickly and easily. Whether it’s pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, or nursing fundamentals, these mnemonics will stick in your brain and make studying way more fun!
Let’s dive into some must-know mnemonics that will help you master your nursing exams and the NCLEX.
💊 Pharmacology Mnemonics: Mastering Meds Made Easy
1️⃣ "SLUDGE" – Cholinergic Crisis Symptoms
A cholinergic crisis occurs when there’s too much acetylcholine in the body, often from overuse of cholinergic drugs like physostigmine or organophosphate poisoning.
💡 Mnemonic: SLUDGE
✔ S – Salivation
✔ L – Lacrimation (excessive tearing)
✔ U – Urination
✔ D – Diarrhea
✔ G – Gastrointestinal distress
✔ E – Emesis (vomiting)
📌 Quick Tip: If a patient on cholinergic drugs shows these symptoms, the antidote is Atropine!
2️⃣ "BANANA" – Beta-Blocker Side Effects
💡 Mnemonic: BANANA
✔ B – Bradycardia
✔ A – AV block
✔ N – Nightmares
✔ A – Asthma exacerbation (due to bronchoconstriction)
✔ N – Negative inotropic effect (weakened heart contraction)
✔ A – Altered blood sugar levels
📌 Quick Tip: Beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol, propranolol) shouldn’t be given to asthma patients because they can cause bronchoconstriction.
🏥 Medical-Surgical Mnemonics: Remembering Critical Conditions
3️⃣ "MONA" – Immediate Treatment for an MI (Heart Attack)
When a patient comes in with chest pain, you need to act fast!
💡 Mnemonic: MONA (Order may vary in practice!)
✔ M – Morphine (for pain relief)
✔ O – Oxygen (if O₂ saturation is low)
✔ N – Nitroglycerin (to dilate vessels)
✔ A – Aspirin (prevents further clot formation)
📌 Quick Tip: Always assess the patient’s blood pressure before giving nitroglycerin! It can cause severe hypotension.
4️⃣ "SPICES" – Common Geriatric Syndromes
Caring for elderly patients? Keep SPICES in mind for common age-related issues.
💡 Mnemonic: SPICES
✔ S – Sleep disturbances
✔ P – Problems with eating or feeding
✔ I – Incontinence
✔ C – Confusion
✔ E – Evidence of falls
✔ S – Skin breakdown
📌 Quick Tip: These factors increase the risk of complications in elderly patients, so prioritize fall prevention, skin care, and cognitive assessments.
🩺 Nursing Fundamentals: Core Concepts to Know
5️⃣ "AIDET" – Effective Patient Communication
Nurses interact with patients, families, and healthcare teams all day. Use AIDET to communicate effectively!
💡 Mnemonic: AIDET
✔ A – Acknowledge the patient
✔ I – Introduce yourself and your role
✔ D – Duration (explain how long things will take)
✔ E – Explanation (describe the procedure or treatment)
✔ T – Thank the patient!
📌 Quick Tip: Patients feel safer and more comfortable when nurses use clear communication.
6️⃣ "RACE & PASS" – Fire Safety in the Hospital
If a fire breaks out in a hospital, RACE & PASS will help you respond quickly.
💡 Mnemonic: RACE (Fire Response)
✔ R – Rescue patients in immediate danger
✔ A – Activate the alarm
✔ C – Contain the fire (close doors and windows)
✔ E – Extinguish if possible
💡 Mnemonic: PASS (Fire Extinguisher Use)
✔ P – Pull the pin
✔ A – Aim at the base of the fire
✔ S – Squeeze the handle
✔ S – Sweep from side to side
📌 Quick Tip: Never use an elevator during a fire—use the stairs!
Using nursing mnemonics is a game-changer for studying and improving recall during exams and clinicals. Whether you’re tackling pharmacology, med-surg, or nursing fundamentals, these mnemonics will help you retain information faster and reduce test anxiety.
🔥 Want even more fun, engaging study hacks? Check out The Nurse Sam’s Complete Nursing School Study System, packed with visual mnemonics, interactive guides, and NCLEX prep resources! 🎮 Get it here! 🚀
With these memory tricks for nurses, you’ll be acing your exams, mastering the NCLEX, and confidently stepping into your nursing career! 💉📚👩⚕️