1.

AVPU
AVPU is a mnemonic to assess for alertness.
Description

Adult Behavior

Pediatric Behavior

Alert

Clients eyes open

spontaneously; appears aware
of and responsive to the
environment; follows
commands eyes tract peoples
and objects.

Child is active and

responds
appropriately to
parents and other
external stimuli.

Response to
Verbal
Stimuli

Patients eyes do not open

spontaneously but open to
verbal stimuli. Patient is able to
respond in some meaningful
way when spoken to.

Response only when

his or her name is
called by parents.

Response to
Pain

Patient does not respond to

questions but moves or cries
out in response to a painful
stimulus such as pinching the
skin or earlobe.

Response only when

painful stimulus is
received, such as
pinching the nail bed.

Unresponsiv
e

Patient does not respond to any

stimuli.

No response at all.

2. SAMPLE for History Assessment

Remember SAMPLE when obtaining patient history.
Description
S

Symptoms

Allergy

Whats wrong?
What brings you to

the hospital?
Are you allergic to

anything?
What happens to
you when you use
something that
youre allergic to?

Patients chief complaints

Seeking to know what

type of allergic reaction
they experience

Medications

Past Medical
History

Last Oral
Intake

Events
leading up to
the illness or
injury

Are you taking any

medications?
What are you taking

the medications for?

When did you last

take your
medications?
Have you had this

problem before?
Do you have other

medical problems?
When did you last

eat or drink
anything?
What was it that you

last ate?
Injury: How did

you get hurt?

Illness: What led to

Prescribed, Over the

counter, herbal meds and
etc are asked.

Seeking to know the

previous state of health,
and previous illnesses.
Seeking what are the last
oral intakes of the client.

Seeking to know how his

present status happened.

this problem?

3. DCAP-BTLS Rapid Assessment

DCAP-BTLS is especially useful during emergency cases.
D

Deformities

Contusions

Abrasions (consider bony prominences for pressure sores)

Punctures or Penetrations

Burns

Tenderness

Lacerations

Swelling

4. CAGE
diagnostic tool for alcohol problems.
Description

Sample Question

Concern by the person that

there is a problem

Have you ever felt that you should Cut

down on your drinking?

Apparent to others that there

is a problem

Have you ever become Annoyed by

criticisms of your drinking?

Grave consequences

Have you ever felt Guilty about your

drining?

Evidence of dependence or
tolerance

Have you ever had a morning Eye

opener to get rid of a hangover?

5. ABCDEFGHI Trauma Assessment

The ABCDEFGHI mnemonic is used for a quick assessment of trauma patients. This is
especially useful for emergency cases.
A

Airway

Breathing

Circulation

Disability (neurologic status)

Expose (remove clothing, keep the patient warm)

Full set of vital signs

Give comfort measures

History/Head-to-Toe assessment

Inspect posterior surfaces

6. CAUTION for Seven Warning Signs of Cancer

C

Change in bowel or bladder habits

A sore throat that does not heal

Unusual bleeding or discharge

Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere

Indigestion or dysphagia

Obvious change in wart or mole

Nagging cough or hoarseness

Hospital Diets
Disorder/Condition

Recommended Diet

Acid and Alkali Ingestion

NPO

Acute Cholecystitis

NPO to rest the gallbladder

Acute Intestinal Obstruction

NPO

Acute renal disease

Low Protein, high-calorie, fluid-controlled,

sodium-controlled, potassium-controlled

Chronic renal disease

Low Protein, low-sodium, fluid-restricted,

potassium-restricted, phosphorous restricted

Cirrhosis with hepatic

insufficiency or encephalopathy

Low Protein, sodium-restricted, fluid-restricted

Constipation

High-fiber and increased fluids

COPD

Soft, high-calorie, low-CHON, high-fat, small

frequent feedings

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever

Avoid dark colored foods

Diabetes Insipidus

Low sodium

Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetic Diet (Well-balanced diet)

Diarrhea

Liquid, low-fiber, regular, fluid and electrolyte

replacement

Gallbladder diseases

Low-fat, calorie-restricted, high-protein

Gastritis

Low-fiber, bland diet

Gouty Arthritis and Hyperuricemia

Low purine diet

Hepatitis

Regular, high-calorie, high-protein

Hyperlipidemias

Fat-controlled, calorie restricted

Hypertension, heart failure,

coronary artery diseases

Low-sodium, calorie restricted, fat-controlled

Kidney stones

Increased fluid intake

MAO-I Therapy

Tyramine restricted (preserved foods)

Nephrotic syndrome

Sodium-restricted, high-calorie, high-protein,

potassium-restricted

Obesity

Calorie-restricted, high-fiber

Osteoporosis

Increase in calcium

Pancreatitis

Low-fat, regular, small, frequent feedings; tube

feedings or total parenteral nutrition

Peptic ulcer

Bland

Peritonitis

NPO

Pregnancy and Hypertension

Low salt, high calcium diet

Stroke

Mechanical soft, regular or tube feeding

Stroke

NPO

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Low salt diet

Underweight

High calorie- high protein

Vomiting

Replacement of fluid and electrolytes