Mnemonics For Nursing
Nursing Assessment

One of the most important Mnemonics For Nursing and parts of physical examination is auscultation of the heart. It is done by using the stethoscope to hear the sounds made by the heart to determine the heart condition; normal or pathological.

• Pain – usually severe, deep, constant and poorly localized and felt early by the patient.
• Pulse – lack of pulse rarely occurs in the patient
• Pallor – bruising and shiny swollen skin
• Paresthesia – altered sensation
• Paralysis – a late finding in compartment syndrome

Dyspnea - shortness of breath or difficult, labored breathing is a subjective symptom of breathlessness.


The 6 P's of Dyspnea used as mnemonics for nursing as shown in the picture below are:

- Pulmonary Bronchial Constriction

- Pneumothorax

- Pump Failure

- Possible Foreign Body

- Pulmonary Embolism

- Pneumonia

Airway – it is the first priority. Assess it by determining the ability of air to pass unobstructed into the lungs.

Breathing - to determine patient ability to ventilate and oxygenate.

Circulation – to identify hypovolemia, cardiac tamponade, and external sources of hemorrhage.

Disability – can be determine by performing gross mental status and motor examinations.

Examine – check the pupils for size, symmetry, and reactiveness to light

Fahrenheit – check patient exposure and control of the immediate environment.

Head to Toe Assessment - remove patient clothes completely for a thorough physical examination.

Intervention - initiate treatment.