Mnemonic Monday: A Fizzy Collage

Check out this great mnemonic collage from Fizzy. Can you guess what each one means?

Panel 1: CAGE
Use this mnemonic to help you remember what questions to ask patients to screen for possible alcoholism:
• Have you ever felt you needed to Cut down on your drinking?
• Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
• Have you ever felt Guilty about drinking?
• Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning (Eye-opener) to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

Panel 2: MUD PILES
Use this mnemonic to help you remember the causes of anion gap metabolic acidosis:
• Methanol
• Uremia
• Diabetic ketoacidosis
• Propylene glycol
• Isoniazid
• Lactic acidosis
• Ethylene glycol
• Salicylates

Panel 3: LR6 (SO4) R3
Use this mnemonic to help you remember the nerves that control the extraocular muscles
• CN VI ? Lateral rectus
• CN IV ? Superior oblique
• CN III ? Rest

Panel 4: Randy Travis Drinks Cold Beer
Use this mnemonic to help you remember the brachial plexus:
• Roots
• Trunks
• Divisions
• Cords
• Branches

Thanks, Fizzy, for these great picture mnemonics! For more mnemonics from Fizzy, visit A Cartoon Guide to Becoming a Doctor.

If you have a mnemonic you’d like to share, send it to us at submissions@usmle-rx.com!