Anatomy subcategory

Biochemistry and Electrolytes

Mnemonics for urea and electrolytes, liver function, calcium and the gaps.

Entries in Biochemistry and Electrolytes

Acute Kidney Injury Staging Mnemonic

Staged by creatinine rise or urine output, classified as pre-renal, renal or post-renal

A memory aid for the stages of acute kidney injury and its causes.

Biochemistry and ElectrolytesMetabolic and Endocrine Emergencies
Amylase and Lipase Mnemonic

Lipase is more sensitive and specific and stays raised longer

A memory aid for interpreting pancreatic enzymes.

Biochemistry and Electrolytes
Calcium Correction and Interpretation Mnemonic

Correct for albumin, then use the parathyroid hormone

A memory aid for correcting calcium and working out the cause of an abnormal result.

Biochemistry and ElectrolytesMetabolic and Endocrine Emergencies
Fractional Excretion of Sodium Mnemonic

Below 1 per cent suggests prerenal; above 2 per cent suggests tubular injury

A memory aid for using FENa to distinguish prerenal from intrinsic renal failure.

RenalBiochemistry and Electrolytes
Hyponatraemia Assessment Mnemonic

Check osmolality, then volume status, then urine sodium

A memory aid for the stepwise assessment of hyponatraemia.

RenalBiochemistry and Electrolytes
Liver Enzyme Patterns Mnemonic

Transaminases versus alkaline phosphatase and gamma GT

A memory aid for distinguishing hepatitic from cholestatic liver tests.

Biochemistry and Electrolytes
Liver Function Tests Mnemonic

Transaminases indicate hepatocellular injury; ALP and GGT indicate cholestasis

A memory aid for interpreting the liver enzyme pattern.

Clinical BiochemistryBiochemistry and Electrolytes
Osmolar Gap Mnemonic

Measured minus calculated osmolality, raised by unmeasured osmoles

A memory aid for using the osmolar gap in poisoning.

Acid-Base and FluidsBiochemistry and Electrolytes
Raised Creatine Kinase Causes Mnemonic

Muscle injury from any cause, with rhabdomyolysis at the extreme

A memory aid for the causes of a raised creatine kinase.

Biochemistry and ElectrolytesToxicology and Overdose
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Mnemonic

Narrow therapeutic index drugs where effect cannot be measured directly

A memory aid for which drugs need level monitoring and when to sample.

PharmacokineticsBiochemistry and Electrolytes
Troponin Interpretation Mnemonic

A marker of myocardial injury, not of myocardial infarction

A memory aid for interpreting a raised troponin.

Biochemistry and ElectrolytesCoronary Artery Disease
Tumour Markers Mnemonic

Most are for monitoring rather than diagnosis or screening

A memory aid for the common tumour markers and their uses.

Clinical BiochemistryBiochemistry and Electrolytes
Urea and Electrolytes Interpretation Mnemonic

Sodium, potassium, urea, creatinine and bicarbonate, read together

A memory aid for reading the urea and electrolytes systematically.

Biochemistry and Electrolytes