Nurse Pathways Mastering Mnemonics for Success

Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs) like Verapamil, Nifedipine, and Diltiazem could be:

“Very Nice Drugs”

        •        V: Verapamil

        •        N: Nifedipine

        •        D: Diltiazem

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)

“Effective For Sadness, Panic, Compulsions”

        •        E: Escitalopram

        •        F: Fluoxetine

        •        S: Sertraline

        •        P: Paroxetine

        •        C: Citalopram

 ACE inhibitors, commonly referred to as “prils,” 

“Can Quietly Lower High Blood Pressure”

        •        C: Captopril

        •        Q: Quinapril

        •        L: Lisinopril

        •        H: Enalapril (Hydrochloride for specificity)

        •        B: Benazepril

        •        P: Perindopril

These drugs work by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme, primarily for hypertension and heart failure management.

Beta Blockers is:

“Always Aim For Better Heart Protection”

        •        A: Atenolol

        •        A: Acebutolol

        •        F: Fenoterol (less common but notable)

        •        B: Bisoprolol

        •        H: Hydralazine (used adjunctively)

        •        P: Propranolol

Alternatively, for the most common beta blockers, you can use:

“ABCP”

        •        A: Atenolol

        •        B: Bisoprolol

        •        C: Carvedilol

        •        P: Propranolol

Both mnemonics emphasize their role in reducing heart strain and managing blood pressure.

ARBs (Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers), often ending in "-sartan," could be:

"A Really Big Loser"

A: Azilsartan

R: Riosartan

B: Big (loser) Losartan

MAOI drugs: PITS

        •        P: Phenelzine (Nardil)

        •        I: Isocarboxazid (Marplan)

        •        T: Tranylcypromine (Parnate)

        •        S: Selegiline (Emsam)

Note: Clients should avoid foods that are high in tyramine which could trigger a potentially fatal hypertensive crisis. 

Erikson’s psychosocial stages, Piaget’s cognitive stages, and Kohlberg’s moral development stages. 

Acronym: "SPICEFUL GROWTH"

Each letter represents a keyword or phrase that encapsulates key elements from the theories.

S – Sensorimotor (Piaget, Birth-2 years)

Focus on motor activity and trial-and-error learning.

P – Preoperational (Piaget, 2-7 years)

Development of language, imagination, and egocentric thought.

I – Initiative vs. Guilt (Erikson, 3-5 years)

Importance of exploration and developing purpose.

C – Concrete Operational (Piaget, 7-11 years)

Logical thinking and less egocentrism.

E – Egocentrism and Naivete (Kohlberg, Early Moral Stages)

Egocentric understanding of rules and morality.

F – Fidelity (Erikson, Adolescence, Identity vs. Role Confusion)

Developing personal identity through social relationships.

U – Universal Principles (Kohlberg, Advanced Moral Stage)

Focus on abstract moral reasoning and universal ethics.

L – Love (Erikson, Young Adulthood, Intimacy vs. Isolation)

Building relationships and emotional intimacy.

G – Generativity (Erikson, Middle Adulthood)

Emphasis on work, parenthood, and contributing to society.

R – Reciprocity (Kohlberg, Instrumental Hedonism Stage)

Understanding give-and-take relationships and fairness.

O – Obedience and Punishment (Kohlberg, Early Moral Stage)

Focus on avoiding punishment.

W – Will (Erikson, Early Childhood, Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt)

Developing independence and personal control.

T – Trial and Error (Piaget, Sensorimotor Stage)

Learning through physical interaction with the environment.

H – Hope (Erikson, Infancy, Trust vs. Mistrust)

Foundation of trust in the world through consistent care.

To remember the ages associated with Erikson, Piaget, and Kohlberg's stages, we can use this number-based mnemonic approach:

Mnemonic: "0-2, 2-7, 7-12, 12-18, 19-40, 40-65, 65+"

Each range corresponds to specific stages in their theories:

1. 0-2 years:

Erikson: Trust vs. Mistrust

Piaget: Sensorimotor

Kohlberg: Naïve Egocentrism (Moral foundations not yet formed).

Memory trick: "Tiny tots trust and explore through trial and error."

2. 2-7 years:

Erikson: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (2-3 years), Initiative vs. Guilt (3-5 years)

Piaget: Preoperational

Kohlberg: Punishment-Obedience Orientation

Memory trick: "Preschoolers assert independence and imagine the world."

3. 7-12 years:

Erikson: Industry vs. Inferiority

Piaget: Concrete Operational

Kohlberg: Instrumental Hedonism and Reciprocity

Memory trick: "School-age kids get industrious, logical, and fair."

4. 12-18 years:

Erikson: Identity vs. Role Confusion

Piaget: Transition to Formal Operational

Kohlberg: Good Boy/Good Girl Orientation, Law & Order Orientation

Memory trick: "Teens seek identity and social approval."

5. 19-40 years:

Erikson: Intimacy vs. Isolation

Piaget: Full Formal Operational

Kohlberg: Social Contract and Universal Principles

Memory trick: "Young adults seek love and higher reasoning."

6. 40-65 years:

Erikson: Generativity vs. Stagnation

Kohlberg: Mature application of moral principles

Memory trick: "Middle-aged adults focus on work, care, and legacy."

7. 65+ years:

Erikson: Integrity vs. Despair

Kohlberg: Fully developed personal moral principles

Memory trick: "Older adults reflect on life with integrity or regret."

Overall Age Trick:

Think in chunks:

0-2: Trust and trial

2-7: Play and imagination

7-12: Logic and fairness

12-18: Identity and relationships

19-40: Love and reasoning

40-65: Care and productivity

65+: Reflection and wisdom