Disorders of ECF Volume: Volume Contraction Mnemonics

Question 1

What does ‘S’ in ‘SALT LOSS’ stand for?

Answer 1

Sodium balance dictates ECF volume

ECF stands for Extracellular Fluid

Question 2

What happens to BP and CO during acute loss according to ‘SALT LOSS’?

Answer 2

↓BP/↓CO (Cardiac Output)

BP stands for Blood Pressure, CO stands for Cardiac Output

Question 3

What is the long-term effect of sodium loss on BP?

Answer 3

Mild ↓BP

Question 4

What mechanism is activated in response to low sodium levels?

Answer 4

Thirst mechanism activated

Question 5

What condition results from low water leading to hypertonicity?

Answer 5

↑Na⁺

Question 6

What determines fluid movement in the body?

Answer 6

Osmolality shifts

Question 7

What is the result of sodium and water loss?

Answer 7

Hypotension

Question 8

What do skin signs track in the context of ECF volume contraction?

Answer 8

Severity

Question 9

In ‘WET vs DRY’, what does ‘W’ in WET stand for?

Answer 9

Water loss only

Question 10

What does ‘D’ in DRY signify?

Answer 10

Dual Na⁺+H₂O loss

Question 11

How is ECF affected in dehydration?

Answer 11

Relatively spared

Question 12

What is a prominent symptom in dehydration?

Answer 12

Thirst prominent

Question 13

What happens to BP in volume depletion?

Answer 13

Yawning BP drops (orthostasis)

Question 14

What does ‘H’ in ‘H.I.S.’ represent?

Answer 14

Hypotonic - ‘Inside cells swell’ (ICF↑)

Question 15

What does ‘I’ in ‘H.I.S.’ indicate?

Answer 15

Isotonic - ‘Same loss’ (ECF↓ only)

Question 16

What does ‘S’ in ‘H.I.S.’ mean?

Answer 16

Sweating - Classic hypertonic loss

Question 17

What does ‘G’ in ‘GO PEE’ stand for?

Answer 17

GI (Vomiting/diarrhea)

Question 18

What does ‘O’ in ‘GO PEE’ refer to?

Answer 18

Osmotic diuresis (Hyperglycemia)

Question 19

What does ‘P’ in ‘GO PEE’ indicate?

Answer 19

Pancreatitis/Peritonitis

Question 20

What does ‘E’ in ‘GO PEE’ refer to?

Answer 20

Excessive sweating

Question 21

What does the second ‘E’ in ‘GO PEE’ stand for?

Answer 21

Endocrine (Addison’s, diuretics)

Question 22

What does ‘P’ in ‘PRESS’ signify?

Answer 22

Pulse (orthostatic ↑20bpm)

Question 23

What does ‘R’ in ‘PRESS’ refer to?

Answer 23

Renal labs (BUN/Cr ratio)

Question 24

What does ‘E’ in ‘PRESS’ indicate?

Answer 24

Electrolytes (Na⁺ gap)

Question 25

What does ‘S’ in ‘PRESS’ stand for?

Answer 25

Skin turgor

Question 26

What does the second ‘S’ in ‘PRESS’ refer to?

Answer 26

Serum vs urine osmolality

Question 27

What does the first ‘D’ in ‘4 D’s’ stand for?

Answer 27

Deficit calculation (for dehydration)

Question 28

What does the second ‘D’ in ‘4 D’s’ signify?

Answer 28

Dextrose (D5W for free water)

Question 29

What does the third ‘D’ in ‘4 D’s’ indicate?

Answer 29

Direct saline (0.9% for depletion)

Question 30

What does the last ‘D’ in ‘4 D’s’ refer to?

Answer 30

Danger signs (Monitor BP/UOP)

Question 31

What does ‘D’ in ‘DAMN ADDISON’ stand for?

Answer 31

Diuretics → Add Na⁺ (saline+K⁺)

Question 32

What does ‘A’ in ‘DAMN ADDISON’ refer to?

Answer 32

Addison’s → Dextrose caution

Question 33

What does ‘I’ in ‘DAMN ADDISON’ signify?

Answer 33

IV hydrocortisone STAT

Question 34

What does ‘O’ in ‘DAMN ADDISON’ refer to?

Answer 34

Only after steroids

Question 35

What does ‘N’ in ‘DAMN ADDISON’ indicate?

Answer 35

No mineralocorticoids acutely

Question 36

Fill in the blank: In the visual mnemonic, [Na⁺]↑ → 🧠 Thirsty → 🌊 Give _______.

Answer 36

D5W (Slow!)

Question 37

Fill in the blank: In the visual mnemonic, [Na⁺]N → 💉 Saline → 🚑 Run it _______.

Answer 37

Fast!