More mnemonics!

Who said learning couldn't be fun? Here are some more mnemonics that I've crossed paths with recently or made up myself (if it's super lame, it's probably one I made up...whatever, as long as it helps me remember haha).

Micturition Innvervation:

Point Parasympathetic Pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2-4) - Erection
Shoot Sympathetic Hypogastric nerves (L2) - detrusor + internal sphincter - Emission
Score Somatic Pudendal nerve (S2-4) - external sphincter - Ejaculation

Pathway of sperm:

SEVEN UP!
Seminiferous tubules
Epididimys
Vas deferens
Ejaculatory duct
(nothing)
Urethra (prostatic, membranous, spongy/penile)
Penis

Avoiding polypharmacy in the elderly:

SNaP CRaP!
Simplify meds
Non-pharmacological approaches
a
Prevention (don't prescribe for minor, non-specific, self-limiting complaints)
Communicate with patients and other clinicians responsible for care
Review meds regularly
a
Prioritize drugs

WBC differential from most numerous to least:

Never Let Monkeys Eat Bananas!
Neutrophils > Lymphocytes > Monocytes > Eosinophils > Basophils

Categorization of Anemia:

Microcytic Anemia = TICS
- Thalassemia, iron deficiency, chronic disease, sideroblastic anemia
Normocytic Anemia = ABBRA
- Anaemia of chronic disease, bone marrow infiltration, bone marrow failure, renal failure, acute hemorrhage
Macrocytic Anemia = BALD HAIR
- B12/B9 deficiency, alcohol, liver disease, drugs (eg. phenytoin), hypothyroidism, aplastic anemia & myelodysplasia, increased reticulocytes

Platelet events following damage to vascular endothelium:

Albert Allen SAT Inside Eating 1-2-many Flowers

Adherence to ECM
Activation
Shape change
ADP secreted (other granule products as well like ATP, 5-HT, Ca2+, histamine, adrenaline)
TXA2 produced
Intrinsic coagulation pathway phospholipid complexes exposed
Extrinsic coagulation cascade (via exposed tissue factor from injured endothelial cells)
1º hemostatic plug (ADP)
2º hemostatic plug (ADP, thrombin, TXA2)
Fibrin deposition stabilizes and anchors aggregated platelets

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) causes of poor nutrition in the elderly (~60% of deaths in people > 80 yrs are nutrition related!):

It's Mad Not Sad Seniors Die of Malnutrition

Institutionalism - chronic illness, poor food choice, decreased social interaction
Malabsorption - bacterial overgrowth, coeliac disease, post-gastrectomy
Neurological Factors - dementia, depression, Parkinson's disease, stroke, dysphagia, immobility
Sensory factors - poor vision, dentition, impaired taste & smell
Social factors - isolation, poverty, poorly stocked kitchen, absence of fruits/vegetables
Drugs - digoxin, theophylline, levodopa, bromcryptine, alcohol
Medical factors - pneumonia, heart failure, chronic lung disease, chronic infection

Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE): Out of 30 points

RAPTOR CLAWS

Registration - say three objects and ask to repeat. Test memory [point for each correct answer; out of 3].
Attention & Calculation - count backwards from 100 in sevens (eg. 93, 86, 79, 72, 65) or spell a five letter word backwards (eg. spell 'world' backwards) [point for each correct answer; out of 5].
Paper test - ask them to take a piece of paper in R hand, fold it in half, and place it on the floor with L hand [point for each step; out of 3].
Time - year, season, month, date, day of week. Ask for each specifically if necessary [point for each correct answer; out of 5].
Orientation - where are you? Looking for country, state, town, hospital, ward. Ask for each in turn if necessary [point for each correct answer; out of 5].
Recall - repeat the same words used in the registration test [one point for each answer; out of 3].

Copy a design of two overlapping pentagons. Must have all ten angles and must intersect for 1 point.
Language - name two objects that you show them [out of 2].
Action - show them a piece of paper with "Close your eyes" written on it and ask them to do what it says [1 point].
Writing - show them a piece of paper with "Write a sentence" written on it and ask them to do what it says. Must have a subject and object and make sense. Punctuation not important [1 point].
Speech - ask them to repeat the following: "No ifs or buts" [1 point].

Scores 21-29 indicate cognitive impairment.
Scores < 20 indicate more severe impairment; likely due to dementia.

Signs of Depression: SADA FACES

Sleep disturbance
Appetite
Dysphoria (depressed mood)
Anhedonia
Fatigue
Agitation or retardation
Concentration
Esteem or guilt
Suicidal ideation

Suicide Risk Assessment: SAD PERSONS

Sex
Age
Depression
Previous attempt
EtOH
Rational thinking loss
Sickness
Organized plan
No spouse
Support lacking