High-Yield Exam Mnemonics
- “Metro blocks Dopamine” – Metoclopramide blocks D2.
Recall: Metoclopramide is a D2 receptor antagonist that blocks dopamine receptors in the CTZ, producing anti-emetic effects.
- “Metro makes you Move strangely” – extrapyramidal movements.
Recall: Metoclopramide causes extrapyramidal symptoms (dystonia, akathisia, tardive dyskinesia) due to central D2 receptor blockade.
- Vasopressin squeezes the heart too.
Recall: Vasopressin causes systemic vasoconstriction including coronary arteries, leading to myocardial ischemia and limiting its use.
- MISOprotective MUCOsal defense.
Recall: Misoprostol is a PGE1 analogue that increases mucus and bicarbonate secretion, providing cytoprotection.
- BISmuth BItes H. pylori.
Recall: Bismuth compounds have direct bactericidal activity against H. pylori and are part of quadruple therapy for H. pylori eradication.
- VALproic = VEsicular fat droplets.
Recall: Valproic acid causes microvesicular steatosis, particularly in children under 2 years on multiple anticonvulsants.
- Interferon makes you feel like you have the FLU.
Recall: Interferon-alpha causes flu-like symptoms (fever, myalgia, fatigue, headache) in most patients, especially early in treatment.
- RibaVIRin needs VIRal partners.
Recall: Ribavirin has antiviral activity but is ineffective as monotherapy for HCV.
- ATROPine makes ABuse ATROcious.
Recall: Diphenoxylate (opioid) is combined with subtherapeutic atropine doses to cause unpleasant anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, tachycardia) at high doses, discouraging recreational abuse.
- PSYLLium is PSYchologically SAFE in pregnancy.
Recall: Psyllium (bulk-forming laxative) is safe and first-line in pregnancy.
- PEG keeps electrolytes in PEG-fect balance.
Recall: PEG solutions are isotonic, causing minimal fluid and electrolyte shifts during large-volume bowel prep.
- RIFAximin RIDs bacteria making ammonia.
Recall: Rifaximin is a non-absorbable antibiotic that reduces intestinal ammonia-producing bacteria, complementing lactulose’s mechanism.
- PAROmomycin PAtrols the bowel lumen.
Recall: Paromomycin is a non-absorbable aminoglycoside that acts as a luminal amoebicide, killing both cysts and trophozoites in the gut lumen.
- PRAZIquantel = Parasite PARALYsis via CALcium.
Recall: Praziquantel increases calcium permeability in parasite tegument, causing sustained muscle contraction (paralysis) and tegumental damage exposing antigens.
- “CIPro CIPs away at Salmonella.” (Note: regional resistance patterns apply.)
Recall: Fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin) are first-line for typhoid in many areas, though resistance is increasing.
- LUBIprostone LUBRicates with chloride secretion.
Recall: Lubiprostone activates ClC-2 chloride channels in intestinal epithelium, increasing chloride-rich fluid secretion and improving stool consistency.
- SULFApyridine = SIDE effects of SulfaSALAzine.
Recall: Sulfapyridine (carrier molecule) causes most side effects: headache, nausea, rash, oligospermia, hemolysis in G6PD deficiency.
- “Pleo-Parotid” – Pleomorphic loves the Parotid.
Recall: Pleomorphic adenoma (mixed tumor) accounts for 60% of parotid tumors.
- SCC = Squamous in the Center (middle).
Recall: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma most commonly occurs in the middle third.
- Zollinger = Zing of excess gastrin.
Recall: Gastrinoma secretes excess gastrin causing severe peptic ulcers in atypical locations.
- ALP = Always elevated in biliary (cholestatic) Pathology.
Recall: Isolated ALP elevation indicates cholestasis (biliary obstruction) or bone disease.
- Acetaminophen = Acute liver Attack in the West.
Recall: Acetaminophen (paracetamol) overdose is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the West.
- C = Chronic Champion.
Recall: Hepatitis C causes chronic infection in 80% of cases, highest among hepatitis viruses.
- Autoimmune = Abundant plasma cells at the interface.
Recall: Autoimmune hepatitis shows dense portal plasma cell infiltrate with interface hepatitis (piecemeal necrosis).
- Histolytica = Hepatic amebiasis.
Recall: Entamoeba histolytica causes intestinal amebiasis and can spread to the liver via portal circulation.
- HFE = High Fe (iron).
Recall: HFE gene mutations (C282Y, H63D) cause hereditary hemochromatosis with increased iron absorption.
- HCC = Hepatocytes go Cancerous, most Common.
Recall: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for 90% of primary liver cancers.
- 4 Fs = Female, Forty, Fat, Fertile for cholesterol stones.
Recall: Hemolytic anemia causes pigment stones (black) due to increased bilirubin production.
- Annular = Anel (ring) around duodenum.
Recall: Annular pancreas occurs when a ring of pancreatic tissue encircles the second part of duodenum, causing obstruction.
- Pseudo = no true epithelium.
Recall: Pseudocysts lack epithelial lining and are walled by granulation tissue and fibrosis.
- Complete obstruction = Completely nothing passes.
Recall: Complete obstruction prevents passage of stool and gas (obstipation).
- Villi Vanish in Celiac disease.
Recall: Celiac disease shows villous atrophy, crypt hyperplasia, and increased intraepithelial lymphocytes.
- Pseudo = Partial wall (no muscle).
Recall: Colonic diverticula are pseudodiverticula containing only mucosa and submucosa, not the muscularis propria.
- Rectosigmoid = Region with most rectal cancers.
Recall: The rectosigmoid region accounts for 55% of colorectal cancers.
- Shigella = Sh*t with blood.
Recall: Shigella invades colonic mucosa causing bloody mucoid diarrhea with tenesmus (painful straining).
- Giardia’s face looks like a monkey with two eyes (nuclei).
Recall: Giardia trophozoite has two nuclei, four pairs of flagella, and a ventral sucking disc giving it a “monkey face” or “owl eye” appearance.
- Ascaris = Allergic (Type I) response in lungs.
Recall: Ascaris larvae migrating through lungs cause Type I hypersensitivity (Löffler syndrome) with eosinophilia, cough, and transient pulmonary infiltrates.
- OP needs ATROPine to dry up secretions (ATROP = A Treatment Reversing Organophosphate Poisoning).
Recall: Atropine is the specific antidote for organophosphorus poisoning as it competitively blocks muscarinic receptors, counteracting the cholinergic excess caused by acetylcholinesterase inhibition.
- 10-15 grams = 10-15 can be Fatal for Fifteen.
Recall: The fatal dose of paracetamol in adults is 10-15 grams (20-30 tablets of 500mg each).
- NItric = NItrogen = Yellow (like urine which contains nitrogen).
Recall: Nitric acid causes characteristic yellow staining of skin and mucous membranes due to xanthoproteic reaction with proteins.
- OXalic needs CALCIUM – they love to bind.
Recall: Calcium gluconate is the antidote for oxalic acid poisoning.
- CROTON oil from CROTON tiglium – same name.
Recall: Croton oil is a drastic purgative obtained from seeds of Croton tiglium.
- SEME-CARPUS = SEME marks CARPETS (clothes).
Recall: Marking nut (Bhilawa) is Semecarpus anacardium, containing semecarpol which causes severe contact dermatitis and vesication.
- Grey-TURNER’s = TURN to see FLANKS (sides).
Recall: Grey-Turner’s sign is ecchymosis in the flanks indicating retroperitoneal hemorrhage, classically seen in acute pancreatitis or retroperitoneal bleeding.
- FULL bladder = FAILS to be protected = Ruptures easily.
Recall: A full or distended bladder is more prone to rupture from blunt trauma because it rises above the protective bony pelvis and becomes a fixed target.
- Ex = malignancy Exits from pleomorphic adenoma.
Recall: Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma is a malignant transformation occurring in a pre-existing pleomorphic adenoma, typically after many years.
- Achalasia = Absent ganglion cells = Apertistalsis.
Recall: Achalasia is characterized by loss of ganglion cells in the myenteric (Auerbach’s) plexus, leading to failure of LES relaxation and absent peristalsis.
- Chronic = lymphoCytes; Acute = neutrophils/Active inflammation.
Recall: Chronic gastritis is characterized by lymphoplasmacytic infiltration (mononuclear cells), glandular atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia.
- Scarring at pylorus = Succussion splash = Stomach outlet obstruction.
Recall: Gastric outlet obstruction results from chronic scarring and fibrosis at the pylorus/duodenal bulb from recurrent ulceration.
- MALT Melts away with H. pylori eradication.
Recall: Low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma is strongly associated with H. pylori infection, which provides chronic antigenic stimulation for lymphoid proliferation.
- Obstruction = Direct bilirubin (both can be blocked); pale stools, dark urine.
Recall: Obstructive jaundice causes elevated direct (conjugated) bilirubin, which is water-soluble and excreted in urine (dark urine).
- Cirrhosis = Chronic injury → fibrosis → nodular Circles of regeneration.
Recall: Liver cirrhosis is defined by diffuse transformation of the liver into regenerative nodules surrounded by fibrous septa, resulting from chronic liver injury.
- Escherichia Enters from intestines to cause SBP.
Recall: E. coli is the most common cause of SBP, followed by Klebsiella and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
- Hepatitis E = Especially dangerous in prEgnancy.
Recall: Hepatitis E causes fulminant hepatic failure in pregnant women with mortality up to 20% (especially third trimester).
- Isoniazid = Idiosyncratic metabolic (depends on Individual metabolism).
Recall: Isoniazid causes idiosyncratic metabolic hepatotoxicity through its toxic metabolite (acetylhydrazine).
- Wilson’s = Wired brain (neuropsychiatric) + Kayser-Fleischer rings + Kopper (copper).
Recall: Wilson’s disease is caused by ATP7B gene mutation, leading to impaired copper excretion in bile.
- FNHcentral Fibrous scar; Adenoma = bleeding risk, Absent central scar.
Recall: Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is a benign hepatocellular lesion characterized by a central stellate scar with radiating fibrous septa containing thick-walled vessels, bile ductular proliferation, and Kupffer cells.
- Black pigment stones = Bilirubin excess from Blood breakdown (hemolysis).
Recall: Black pigment stones are composed of calcium bilirubinate and form in conditions with increased unconjugated bilirubin (hemolytic anemias, cirrhosis, ileal disease).
- Double duct sign + painless jaundice = Pancreatic head cancer.
Recall: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (head of pancreas) presents with painless obstructive jaundice, weight loss, and new-onset diabetes.
- Mucosa = Most metabolically active, Most vulnerable to ischemia.
Recall: The mucosa is most susceptible to ischemic injury due to its high metabolic activity and being farthest from the serosal blood supply.
- UC = Continuous from rectum, Crypt abscesses, muCosal only.
Recall: Ulcerative colitis characteristically shows continuous inflammation starting from the rectum and extending proximally.
- Left Lower Quadrant pain in elderly = diverticulitis (LLQ = sigmoid location).
Recall: Acute diverticulitis presents with LLQ pain (“left-sided appendicitis”), fever, and leukocytosis.
- T2 = Two layers invaded (mucosa/submucosa + into muscularis propria).
Recall: TNM staging for colorectal cancer: T1 invades submucosa, T2 invades muscularis propria, T3 invades through muscularis propria into pericolorectal tissues, T4a penetrates visceral peritoneum, T4b invades other organs.
- Campylobacter = Curved rods, Chicken source, Can cause Guillain-Barré.
Recall: Campylobacter jejuni is the most common bacterial cause of diarrhea in developed countries.
- Cholera = CAMP elevation; Rice-water stool from Rice paddies (endemic areas).
Recall: Cholera toxin (Vibrio cholerae) ADP-ribosylates Gsα, causing permanent activation of adenylate cyclase → increased cAMP → massive chloride and water secretion. “Rice-water stool” is characteristic.
- LHW = Living in the community, Health at your doorstep, Walking PHC.
Recall: Lady Health Workers are the backbone of Pakistan’s PHC system, providing doorstep preventive and promotive services within communities.
- 8 = 3 for health, .8 for 80% financial protection target.
Recall: SDG 3.8 specifically targets Universal Health Coverage including financial risk protection, ensuring people don’t face financial hardship when accessing health services.
- Long-term = Looking far into the future (10+ years).
Recall: Long-term plans span 10-25 years, addressing structural changes requiring sustained investment like achieving UHC.
- SAP effects = Services Adjusted (down), Prices (up).
Recall: Structural Adjustment Programs required reducing government subsidies and introducing cost-recovery mechanisms like user fees, often reducing healthcare access for the poor.
- Administration = All functions Directed by Management for patient care.
Recall: Hospital administration encompasses planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling all hospital functions to achieve quality patient care efficiently.
- CEA = Comparing to Choose the best use of limited health funds.
Recall: Cost-effectiveness analysis compares the costs and health outcomes of different interventions to guide resource allocation decisions–a core health economics tool.
- Health Education = Explaining and Enabling healthy behaviors.
Recall: Health education provides information and skills to enable voluntary adoption of health-promoting behaviors–it’s educational and skills-based.
- Hepatitis A = Alimentary (GI) transmission = fecal-oral.
Recall: Hepatitis A is transmitted via fecal-oral route through contaminated food/water–consistent with street food consumption and household transmission.
- Ascaris = feces to soil to mouth; stop it at sanitation.
Recall: Ascaris eggs are passed in feces and mature in soil; transmission occurs through ingestion of contaminated soil/food.
- HSV-1 = Herpes Stomatitis + Vesicles in kids.
Recall: Primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (HSV-1) causes fever, gingival swelling, and vesicles that ulcerate.
- Pseudo = Ca cardia mimicking achalasia.
Recall: Pseudoachalasia mimics primary achalasia but is caused by malignancy at the GE junction (most commonly gastric cardia cancer).
- Stricture = Stretch + Suppress acid.
Recall: Peptic strictures are managed with endoscopic dilatation and long-term PPI.
- DU = Dinner Ulcer relieved; GU = Gastric worsens after Grub.
Recall: Duodenal ulcer pain is relieved by food (food buffers acid) and returns 2-3 hours later or at night.
- PUD = #1 Puker of blood.
Recall: PUD accounts for ~50% of upper GI bleeds.
- Blatchford = Before endoscopy; Rockall = post-endoscopy Risk.
Recall: Glasgow-Blatchford score assesses risk stratification and need for intervention in upper GI bleeding.
- C = Comes via Contaminated needles.
Recall: HCV is transmitted primarily by parenteral route (IV drug use, contaminated needles, transfusions before 1992).
- A1AT = liver Accumulates, lungs Attacked.
Recall: In A1AT deficiency (PiZZ), misfolded A1AT accumulates in hepatocytes → cirrhosis and HCC.
- JAK2 attacks the hepatic veins.
Recall: Myeloproliferative disorders (esp. polycythemia vera with JAK2 V617F mutation) are the most common cause.
- TB loves Ileocecal (like Crohn’s).
Recall: Ileocecal region is the most common site due to abundant lymphoid tissue (Peyer’s patches) and stasis.
- PSC & UC = Pathologic Sclerosing Companions.
Recall: 70-80% of PSC patients have UC.
- SCC = Smoking, Spirits, Scalding drinks.
Recall: SCC is the most common esophageal cancer globally, associated with smoking, alcohol, hot beverages, achalasia, and nutritional deficiencies.
- Nissen = 360° for reflux.
Recall: Nissen fundoplication = 360° wrap of fundus around distal esophagus to prevent reflux.
- Vomit HCl = lose Cl & K = Alkalosis.
Recall: Persistent vomiting → loss of HCl → hypochloremic, hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis with paradoxical aciduria (kidneys retain H+ to preserve K+).
- Bile up = Abscess up.
Recall: Biliary infection (ascending cholangitis) is the most common cause of pyogenic liver abscess.
- PAIR + Pill (Albendazole).
Recall: Large or symptomatic cysts: PAIR or surgical enucleation with pre/post-operative albendazole to prevent recurrence.
- Adhesions = After surgery cause.
Recall: Post-operative adhesions cause ~60-70% of SBO in adults.
- CT = Confirms diverticulitis; avoid Colonoscopy acutely.
Recall: CT is the investigation of choice for acute diverticulitis (shows inflammation, abscess, perforation).
- Splenic flexure = Sensitive to ischemia.
Recall: Splenic flexure (Griffiths’ point) is the watershed area between SMA and IMA.
- Hartmann for Hinchey 4 (Horrible fecal peritonitis).
Recall: Hinchey IV (fecal peritonitis) requires emergency Hartmann’s procedure (resection of sigmoid + end colostomy + rectal stump closure).
- Type 2 = Try Phenobarbitone.
Recall: CN Type II responds well to phenobarbitone (induces residual UGT activity).
- Rotavirus wRecks lactase.
Recall: Secondary lactase deficiency follows damage to intestinal brush border (rotavirus, celiac disease, giardiasis, IBD, chemotherapy).
- tTG = The Test for celiac.
Recall: Anti-tTG IgA is the initial screening test (sensitivity/specificity >95%).
- Pierre Robin = 3 P’s: Palate cleft, Posterior tongue, Petite jaw.
Recall: Pierre Robin sequence = micrognathia + glossoptosis + cleft palate → airway obstruction in neonate.
- MUC = Most Ugly Cancer of salivary glands.
Recall: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most common salivary gland malignancy, most often in parotid.
- “Plummer = 3 D’s: Dysphagia, Deficiency (iron), Distal esophageal web (post-cricoid).”*.*
Recall: Plummer-Vinson syndrome (Paterson-Brown-Kelly): triad of dysphagia + iron deficiency anemia + upper esophageal web (post-cricoid).