The Best Nursing Mnemonics for NCLEX Success: 50 M...

I. Introduction: Why Mnemonics Turbo‑charge Your NCLEX Prep

Nursing school is packed with numbers, drug classes, lab values and care priorities. Mnemonics compress complex information into catchy phrases and visuals you can recall under stress. Studies show memory aids increase retention and reduce cognitive load—critical on a timed, computer‑adaptive exam like the NCLEX. This guide curates 50 of the most effective mnemonics across pharmacology, med‑surg, pediatrics, maternity, mental health and infection control.

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II. Pharmacology Mnemonics (10)

Mnemonic	Concept	Meaning
“APRIL cough”	ACE inhibitors (‑pril)	Cough & hyper‑K⁺ side effects
“S‑ARTAN skips the cough”	ARBs (‑sartan)	Same benefits without cough
“LOL slows the heart”	Beta‑blockers (‑lol)	Bradycardia & lowered BP
“STATIN Saves The Arteries”	Statins (‑statin)	Lower cholesterol, watch for myopathy
“PRAZOLE for the acid hole”	PPIs (‑prazole)	Ulcer/GERD treatment
“FLOX flops tendons”	Fluoroquinolones (‑floxacin)	Tendon rupture risk
“AZOLE for fungus hole”	Antifungals (‑azole)	Monitor liver enzymes
“MONA greets MI”	MI acute care	Morphine, Oxygen, Nitro, Aspirin
“Levo Levo Leaves QT long”	Levofloxacin	Watch QT prolongation
“Dilantin = DILates AntIN”	Phenytoin	Gingival hyperplasia, narrow therapeutic index

III. Cardiovascular & Respiratory Mnemonics (8)

“BEG P” – Endocarditis signs: Bradycardia, Elevated temp, Gnawing chest pain, Petechiae.
“ABCDE” – Post‑MI discharge meds: Aspirin, Beta‑blocker, Cholesterol med (statin), Diet/Diabetes mgmt, Exercise/Education.
“LEFT = LUNG, RIGHT = REST” – Left HF → pulmonary issues; Right HF → systemic edema.
“Pink Puffer / Blue Bloater” – COPD phenotypes: emphysema vs chronic bronchitis.
“COPD = CO₂ Retain, O₂ low, Pursed‑lip, Dyspnea” – Quick symptom recall.
“RACE” – Fire response: Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish.
“TAPVR is a TAP problem” – Congenital heart defect: Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return.
“Blue BLOATER, Pink PUFFER – COPD Types” – Chronic bronchitis vs emphysema.

IV. Electrolytes & Renal Mnemonics (7)

Electrolyte	High Mnemonic	Low Mnemonic
Sodium	FRIED SALT	SALT LOSS
Potassium	MURDER	A SIC WALT
Calcium	BACK ME	CATS
Magnesium	MAG Is Just LOw	Twitches & Torsades
Renal Failure Staging	RIFLE	Risk → Injury → Failure → Loss → ESRD
Nephrotic Syndrome	“NAPHROTIC”	Na↓, Albumin↓, Protein↑ in urine, Hyperlipid, etc.
Dialysis Assessment	“WEIGH”	Weight, Electrolytes, Access, Infection, Hypotension

V. GI & Hepatobiliary Mnemonics (6)

“GET SMASHED” – Causes of pancreatitis.
“LUQ Pain? Think SPLEEN” – Left upper quadrant differential.
“ABCDE” – Steps for NG tube insertion: Airway, Baseline vitals, Check placement, Document, Elevate HOB.
“Hep A = Anus (fecal‑oral), Hep B = Blood, Hep C = Circulation/Chronic” – Hepatitis routes.
“POOP” – Post‑op bowel obstruction signs: Pain, Output low, Obstipation, Projectile vomit.
“LLQ: DIVERT” – Diverticulitis cues (LLQ pain, Fever, RBCs, Tender).

VI. Maternity & Pediatrics Mnemonics (8)

Topic	Mnemonic	Meaning
Labor Assessment	“TIC TOC”	Timing, Intensity, Contractions, Toco monitor, etc.
Fetal Monitoring	VEAL CHOP	Variable = Cord, Early = Head, Accel = Okay, Late = Placenta
Post‑partum Bleeding	“TRAMP”	Tone, Retained tissue, Atone, Maternal causes, Placenta issues
Newborn Assessment	APGAR	Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration
Toddler Milestones	“BLOCK 6 at 2”	Tower of 6 blocks by age 2
Pediatric Immunizations	“Two 6‑month‑old Pediatric Policies Discussed Rejecting 4 Polite Hipper Men”	Vaccine schedule hint
Pregnancy Weight Gain	“1‑1‑2 Rule”	1 lb 1st tri, 1 lb/wk 2nd–3rd tri for singletons
TORCH Infections	“TORCH”	Toxoplasmosis, Other (syphilis), Rubella, CMV, Herpes

VII. Mental Health & Psych Mnemonics (5)

“SIG ECAPS” – Depression criteria.
“HEADSSS” – Adolescent psychosocial interview.
“SAFE” – Suicide risk: Sex, Age, Failure/Grief, Ethanol/Drugs.
“IDEA” – Therapeutic communication steps: Identify feelings, Determine cause, Explore alternatives, Act plan.
“REST” – De‑escalation priority: Respect, Empathy, Support, Time.

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VIII. Infection Control & Isolation Mnemonics (3)

Precaution	Mnemonic	Examples
Contact	“MRS WEE”	MRSA, RSV, Skin infections, etc.
Droplet	“SPIDERMAN”	Scarlet fever, Pertussis, Influenza, etc.
Airborne	“MTV”	Measles, TB, Varicella

IX. Creating Your Own Mnemonics

Use vivid imagery: Picture “banana peels murdering tendons” to remember fluoroquinolone tendon rupture.
Keep it short: The best mnemonics are 3–7 words/syllables.
Make it personal: Tie it to a memorable patient or class joke.
Use rhythmic patterns: Rhymes and alliteration stick longer.

X. Quick‑Reference Table (All 50 Mnemonics)

XI. Practice: Apply Mnemonics to Sample Questions

Which lab value is expected in hyperparathyroidism?
- Remember BACK ME → Expect ↑ Ca²⁺ causing Bone pain.
What’s the best initial action for V‑fib on monitor?
- Recall “Dead rhythms need DEFIB.”
A client with COPD and O₂ sat 88 % needs?
- Use A Big Cat Vapes—Airway & Breathing; increase oxygen first.