NCLEX mnemonics cheat sheet: the memory hooks that reduce recall time for labs, electrolytes, prioritisation and drug classes.
FAST — Stroke
| F | Face drooping |
| A | Arm weakness |
| S | Speech difficulty |
| T | Time — call 911 |
MONA — MI / ACS
| M | Morphine |
| O | Oxygen |
| N | Nitroglycerin |
| A | Aspirin (chewed) |
MURDER — Hyperkalemia
| M | Muscle weakness |
| U | Urine output low |
| R | Respiratory distress |
| D | Decreased contractility |
| E | EKG changes |
| R | Reflexes changed |
TRAP — Parkinson's
| T | Tremor (resting) |
| R | Rigidity (cogwheel) |
| A | Akinesia / bradykinesia |
| P | Postural instability |
VEAL CHOP — Fetal HR
| Variable | Cord compression |
| Early | Head compression |
| Acceleration | OK (reassuring) |
| Late | Placental insufficiency |
5 P's — Neurovascular
| P | Pain (unrelieved = compartment) |
| P | Pallor |
| P | Pulselessness |
| P | Paresthesia |
| P | Paralysis |
CAUTION — Cancer Signs
| C / A | Change bowel/bladder; sore not healing |
| U / T | Unusual bleeding; Thickening/lump |
| I / O / N | Indigestion; Obvious mole change; Nagging cough |
ABCDE — Melanoma
| A / B | Asymmetry; Border irregular |
| C / D | Color varied; Diameter >6 mm |
| E | Evolving |
HELLP — Preeclampsia
| H | Hemolysis |
| EL | Elevated Liver enzymes |
| LP | Low Platelets |
BUBBLE-HE — Postpartum
| B U B B | Breasts, Uterus, Bladder, Bowel |
| L E | Lochia, Episiotomy |
| H E | Homan's sign, Emotions |
Educational quick-reference only; values/ranges vary by source. Verify against your facility and the current NCSBN test plan.
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