ACIDBASE Balance Mnemonics

JUNE 5, 2012 BY FABULOUS NURSE LEAVE A COMMENT

Oxidation vs Reduction: gain or loss Mnemonic: OIL RIG: Oxidation Is Loss (of electrons). Reduction Is Gain (of electrons). By Fred Reid Undergrad at St-Andrews, UK Metabolic Acidosis: Causes Mnemonic: With hyperkalemia: RAISE K+: RTA type 4 Aldosterone or mineralocorticord deficiency Iatrogenic: NH4Cl, HCl Stenosis: obstructive uropathy Early uremia _ With hypokalemia: ReDUCE K+: Renal TA type 1 and 2 Diarrhoea Urine diversion into gut Carbonate anhydrase inhibitor Ex-hyperventilation By Anthony Chan Na/K (Sodium/Potassium) Pump Mnemonic: (Sing loudly to the chorus of Kiss Him Goodbye): Na, Na, Na out! Na, Na, Na out! K, Kgoesinside! Action of pump is 3 Na out and 2 K in By Graham Austin University of Georgia, Cell Bio Dept Alkalosis vs. acidosis: directions of pH and HCO3 Mnemonic: ROME: Respiratory= Opposite: _ pH is high, PCO2 is down (Alkalosis).

_ pH is low, PCO2 is up (Acidosis). Metabolic= Equal: _ pH is high, HCO3 is high (Alkalosis). _ pH is low, HCO3 is low (Acidosis). Hypercalcemia: Causes Mnemonic: MD PIMPS ME Malignancy Diuretics (thiazide the main culprit) Parathyroid (hyperparathyroidism) Immobilization/ Idiopathic Megadoses of vitamins A,D Pagets disease Sarcoidosis Milk alkali syndrome Endocrine (Addisons disease, thyrotoxicosis) Anion vs Cation Charge Mnemonic: ANion is A Negative ion. Alternate mnemonic: The t in cation looks like a plus sign: ca+ion. Alternate by Ken Evans Saskatchewan Health, Acute and Emergency Services