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

PAMMIS 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

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