I have the SOFA table directly from Goldman-Cecil. Now I have everything I need. Let me deliver the full enhanced guide with mnemonics, visual ASCII diagrams, and comprehensive tables.Here is the fully enhanced guide with mnemonics, visual diagrams, and structured tables integrated throughout every section:
CLINICAL DEFINITIONS & CATEGORIZATION GUIDE
Enhanced Edition: Mnemonics + Visual Diagrams + Tables
For Medicine PG Residents & Clinicians
Sources: Harrison's 21st Ed. | Davidson's 23rd Ed. | Goldman-Cecil Medicine | GOLD 2024 | GINA 2024 | Sepsis-3 | KDIGO | ESC/AHA | WHO TB 2022 | EASL | ADA 2024
MASTER FRAMEWORK TO LABEL ANY CASE:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ DIAGNOSIS + TYPE/ETIOLOGY + SEVERITY + COMPLICATIONS │
│ + FUNCTIONAL STATUS + ACTIVE PROBLEMS │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Mnemonic: "DESTC-F" - Diagnosis | Etiology | Severity | Type | Complications | Functional status
═══════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
═══════════════════════════════════
1.1 COPD EXACERBATION
Mnemonic: "GOLD ABCE" for Stable COPD Assessment
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ COPD ASSESSMENT: TWO-STEP PROCESS │
├─────────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────┤
│ STEP 1: SPIROMETRY (GOLD 1-4) │ STEP 2: ABCE GROUP │
│ FEV1/FVC < 0.70 confirms COPD │ (Symptoms + Exacerbation Hx) │
└─────────────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────────┘
GOLD SPIROMETRIC STAGING
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
GOLD 1 │ GOLD 2 │ GOLD 3 │ GOLD 4
MILD │ MODERATE │ SEVERE │ VERY SEVERE
FEV1≥80% │ FEV1 50-79%│ FEV1 30-49%│ FEV1 <30%
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Mnemonic: "MILD MOIST SMOKE VERY BADLY"
MILD → ≥80% | MOderate → 50-79% | Severe → 30-49% | Very severe → <30%
ABCE GROUP MATRIX
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
EXACERBATION HISTORY
┌────────────────┬─────────────────┐
│ 0-1 per year │ ≥2 per year OR │
│ (no hosp.) │ ≥1 hosp. │
┌─────────────────┼────────────────┼─────────────────┤
│ LOW symptoms │ GROUP A │ GROUP E │
│ mMRC 0-1/CAT<10 │ │ │
├─────────────────┼────────────────┼─────────────────┤
│ HIGH symptoms │ GROUP B │ GROUP E │
│ mMRC≥2/CAT≥10 │ │ │
└─────────────────┴────────────────┴─────────────────┘
NOTE: Old C/D merged → GROUP E (GOLD 2023 update)
Exacerbation Severity - Mnemonic: "HOME ICU"
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ H - Home (Mild): SABA alone responds │
│ O - Outpatient (Moderate): SABA + steroids ± antibiotics │
│ M - Medical ward (Severe): Hospital admission needed │
│ E - Emergency ICU (Life-threatening): NIV/IMV + ICU │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
| Severity | Setting | Key Criteria | Treatment |
|---|
| Mild | Home | Responds to SABA alone | Increase SABA |
| Moderate | Outpatient | Requires steroids ± antibiotics | SABA + Prednisolone 40mg × 5d + Abx if Anthonisen ≥2 |
| Severe | Hospital ward | Severe dyspnea, cyanosis, edema, SpO2 <90% | IV hydrocortisone + nebs + O2 88-92% + NIV |
| Life-threatening | ICU | pH <7.25, confusion, worsening on NIV | Invasive ventilation |
Anthonisen Criteria - Mnemonic: "DPS" (2 of 3 = antibiotics; all 3 = Type 1 exacerbation)
╔═══════════════════════════════════════╗
║ D - Dyspnea (increased) ║
║ P - Purulence (sputum change) ║
║ S - Sputum volume (increased) ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════╝
≥2 features → Antibiotics indicated
All 3 features → Type 1 (Highest benefit from antibiotics)
COPD Complications - Mnemonic: "CRAPS P"
C - Cor pulmonale (Right heart failure)
R - Respiratory failure (Type I or II)
A - Arrhythmias (AF, SVT)
P - Pneumothorax (bullae rupture)
S - Secondary polycythemia
P - Pulmonary hypertension
LABEL: "AECOPD [GOLD Grade __] - [Mild/Moderate/Severe/Life-threatening] - [Infective(DPS score)/Non-infective] - [Type I/II Respiratory Failure] - ABCD Group [A/B/E]"
1.2 BRONCHIAL ASTHMA
Asthma Severity vs. Asthma Control - Mnemonic: "SC = Before vs After Treatment"
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ SEVERITY = Assess BEFORE starting treatment (intrinsic disease) │
│ CONTROL = Assess AFTER starting treatment (response to Rx) │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Chronic Severity (GINA Steps) - Mnemonic: "I M M S" (Intermittent → Mild → Moderate → Severe)
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
STEP 1 │ STEP 2 │ STEP 3 │ STEP 4/5
INTERMITTENT │ MILD PERSISTENT │ MODERATE PERSIST. │ SEVERE PERSISTENT
≤2 days/wk │ >2d/wk │ Daily │ Continuous
FEV1 ≥80% │ FEV1 ≥80% │ FEV1 60-80% │ FEV1 <60%
Nights ≤2/mth │ Nights 3-4/mth │ Nights >1/wk │ Nightly
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Acute Exacerbation Severity - Mnemonic: "PRAM" (PEF, Rate, Accessory muscles, Mental status)
╔═════════════════════╦══════════════════╦═══════════════════╦══════════════════════╗
║ PARAMETER ║ MILD-MODERATE ║ SEVERE ║ NEAR-FATAL ║
╠═════════════════════╬══════════════════╬═══════════════════╬══════════════════════╣
║ PEF/FEV1 ║ >50% ║ 33-50% ║ <33% ║
║ Speech ║ Full sentences ║ Incomplete ║ Words only ║
║ Resp rate ║ <25 ║ ≥25 ║ Bradypnea (late!) ║
║ Accessory muscles ║ Minimal ║ Present ║ Paradoxical ║
║ Heart rate ║ <110 ║ ≥110 ║ Bradycardia (late!) ║
║ SpO2 on air ║ >92% ║ 88-92% ║ <88% ║
║ Wheeze ║ Expiratory ║ Insp + Exp ║ SILENT CHEST ⚠️ ║
║ Consciousness ║ Normal ║ Agitated ║ Drowsy/Coma ║
╚═════════════════════╩══════════════════╩═══════════════════╩══════════════════════╝
⚠️ RED FLAGS: Silent Chest + Cyanosis + Bradycardia + Confusion = NEAR-FATAL → ICU NOW
Near-Fatal Asthma - Mnemonic: "SCAB"
S - Silent chest (no wheeze despite distress)
C - Cyanosis
A - Altered consciousness / Agitation → Drowsy
B - Bradycardia (paradoxical - late, ominous)
Asthma Phenotypes - Mnemonic: "ALIEN OA"
A - Allergic (atopic): IgE-mediated, childhood, eosinophilic
L - Late-onset adult: women, non-atopic, severe
I - Inflammatory (non-allergic): adult onset, neutrophilic
E - Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction
N - NSAID/Aspirin (AERD = Samter's triad)
O - Occupational: isocyanates, flour, latex
A - ABPA (Aspergillus): eosinophilia, central bronchiectasis, fleeting shadows
LABEL: "Acute [Mild/Moderate/Severe/Near-fatal] exacerbation of [Intermittent/Mild/Moderate/Severe Persistent] Asthma - [Allergic/Non-allergic/AERD/EIB] - GINA Step [1-5] - [Well/Partly/Uncontrolled]"
1.3 COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA (CAP)
CURB-65 - Visual Mnemonic Card
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ C U R B - 65 ║
║ C = Confusion (new onset) ║
║ U = Urea > 7 mmol/L (or BUN >19 mg/dL) ║
║ R = Respiratory rate ≥ 30/min ║
║ B = Blood pressure: Systolic <90 OR Diastolic ≤60 ║
║ 65 = Age ≥ 65 years ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Score 0-1: LOW → Outpatient (~1.5% mortality) ║
║ Score 2: MOD → Short admission (~9% mortality) ║
║ Score 3-5: HIGH → Hospital ± ICU (~22% mortality) ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Severe CAP (ICU) - IDSA/ATS - Mnemonic: "MR. PULMONARY" (1 Major OR ≥3 Minor)
┌─── MAJOR CRITERIA (1 = ICU) ──────────────────────────┐
│ • Vasopressor-dependent septic shock │
│ • Mechanical ventilation required │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
┌─── MINOR CRITERIA (≥3 = ICU) ─────── Mnemonic: "LUMP3T" ┐
│ L - Leukopenia (WBC <4000) │
│ U - Uremia (BUN ≥20 mg/dL) │
│ M - Multilobar infiltrates │
│ P - PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 250 │
│ 3 - ≥30 RR (resp rate) │
│ T - Thrombocytopenia (<100,000) │
│ + Hypothermia (<36°C) │
│ + Hypotension (needs IV fluids) │
│ + Altered mental status/confusion │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
CAP Pathogen by Setting - Visual Matrix
OUTPATIENT (Healthy) → S. pneumoniae, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Viruses
OUTPATIENT + Comorbid → + GNRs, DRSP
HOSPITALIZED Non-ICU → + Legionella, H. influenzae
ICU (No Pseudo risk) → + S. aureus, DRSP, Legionella
ICU (Pseudo risk*) → + P. aeruginosa
Post-INFLUENZA → S. aureus (MRSA!), S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae
ASPIRATION → Anaerobes (Peptostreptococcus, Bacteroides)
HIV/Immunocompromised → PCP, CMV, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus
*Pseudomonas risk: Bronchiectasis, Steroids >10mg/day, Antibiotics in last month
1.4 TUBERCULOSIS (TB)
TB Classification - Complete Visual Framework
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ TB CLASSIFICATION TREE │
├────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ BY LOCATION │ BY BACTERIOLOGY │
│ ┌───────────────────────┐ │ ┌───────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ PULMONARY (PTB) │ │ │ Bacteriologically CONFIRMED: │ │
│ │ • Cavitary (upper │ │ │ • Smear (+): AFB ≥10,000/mL │ │
│ │ lobe, apical) │ │ │ • Culture (+): gold standard │ │
│ │ • Non-cavitary │ │ │ • GeneXpert MTB/RIF (+): rapid │ │
│ │ • Miliary │ │ ├───────────────────────────────────┤ │
│ └───────────────────────┘ │ │ Clinically DIAGNOSED: │ │
│ ┌───────────────────────┐ │ │ CXR + clinical; negative tests │ │
│ │ EXTRAPULMONARY (EPTB) │ │ └───────────────────────────────────┘ │
│ │ See table below ↓ │ │ │
│ └───────────────────────┘ │ │
└────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────────────────┘
EPTB Sites - Mnemonic: "PLUMPS CG AB" (Pleura, Lymph nodes, Urinary, Meninges/CNS, Peritoneum, Spine, Cutaneous/skin, Genitals, Adrenal, Bone)
| EPTB Site | Key Clinical Feature | Key Investigation |
|---|
| Lymphadenitis (most common) | Painless cervical nodes, scrofula, matted | FNAC: caseating granulomas, ZN stain |
| Pleural TB | Exudative effusion; post-primary | ADA >40 U/L; pleural biopsy |
| Miliary TB | Bilateral micronodules "millet seeds"; multi-organ | CXR + CT; bone marrow biopsy |
| TB Meningitis | Subacute fever + CN palsies + hydrocephalus | CSF: lymphocytic, low glucose, high protein, ADA; GeneXpert |
| Spinal TB (Pott's) | Paradiscal erosion; gibbous; cold psoas abscess | MRI spine; CT-guided biopsy |
| Abdominal TB | Ileocaecal mass; transverse ulcers; peritonitis | Colonoscopy biopsy; ascitic ADA; CT abdomen |
| GU TB | Sterile pyuria; hematuria | "Pipe-stem" ureter on IVU; early morning urine AFB |
| TB Pericarditis | Effusion → tamponade → constrictive | Echo; pericardial fluid ADA; pericardial biopsy |
| Adrenal TB | Bilateral; Addison's disease | CT: enlarged calcified adrenals |
Drug Resistance - Mnemonic: "DS RR MDR PreX XDR" (escalating hierarchy)
DS-TB ──→ RR-TB ──→ MDR-TB ──→ Pre-XDR ──→ XDR-TB
│ │ │ │ │
Sensitive Rifampicin INH + MDR + MDR +
to all resistant Rifampicin FQ FQ + BDQ/LZD
| Type | Definition | Key Drug Lost |
|---|
| DS-TB | Sensitive to all | None |
| RR-TB | Rifampicin resistant ± INH | Rifampicin |
| MDR-TB | INH + Rifampicin | Both pillars |
| Pre-XDR | MDR + any fluoroquinolone | FQ + both pillars |
| XDR-TB | MDR + FQ + BDQ or LZD | Most options exhausted |
TB CXR Patterns - Visual Memory Aid
PRIMARY TB: [ Ghon Focus ] + [ Hilar LN ] = GHON COMPLEX
Lower/mid lobe peripheral opacity
↓ calcification → RANKE COMPLEX
POST-PRIMARY (Reactivation):
UPPER LOBE (apical/posterior segment)
████ CAVITARY ████ + fibrosis + bronchiectasis
MILIARY: ∘ ∘ ∘ ∘ ∘ ← bilateral micronodules (1-2mm)
∘ ∘ ∘ ∘ ∘ "snowstorm" / "millet seed" pattern
ENDOBRONCHIAL SPREAD: Tree-in-bud opacities (lower lobes)
1.5 PULMONARY EMBOLISM (PE)
PE Risk Stratification - Mnemonic: "HMIL" (Hemodynamics, Markers, Imaging, Likelihood score)
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ PE RISK STRATIFICATION PYRAMID ║
║ ║
║ ▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲ ║
║ ▲▲▲ HIGH-RISK ▲▲▲ SBP <90 or drop ≥40mmHg × 15min ║
║ ▲▲▲ (MASSIVE) ▲▲▲ = THROMBOLYSIS / EMBOLECTOMY ║
║ ██████████████████████ ║
║ ██ INTER-HIGH ██████████ Stable + RV dysfn + Biomarkers+ ║
║ ██ (SUBMASSIVE) █████████ = Anticoag + Monitor ± Rescue ║
║ ███████████████████████████ ║
║ ██ INTER-LOW ██████████████ Stable + 1 of 2 (RV or bio) ║
║ ██ (SUBMASSIVE) ████████████ = Anticoag + Monitor ║
║ ███████████████████████████████ ║
║ ████████ LOW RISK ██████████████ Stable + Normal RV + Normal bio ║
║ ██████████████████████████████████ sPESI=0 → Consider EARLY DC ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Wells Score - Visual Card
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ WELLS SCORE FOR PE ║
╠══════════════════════════════════╦════════════════════╣
║ DVT signs (swelling/tenderness) ║ 3.0 ← HIGHEST ║
║ Alternative dx LESS likely ║ 3.0 ← HIGHEST ║
║ HR > 100 ║ 1.5 ║
║ Immobilization/Surgery ≤4 wks ║ 1.5 ║
║ Prior PE or DVT ║ 1.5 ║
║ Hemoptysis ║ 1.0 ║
║ Active malignancy ║ 1.0 ║
╠══════════════════════════════════╩════════════════════╣
║ ≤4 = PE unlikely (use D-dimer) ║
║ >4 = PE likely (go to CTPA directly) ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
PERC Rule - Mnemonic: "SHOE THUR" (all 8 must be ABSENT to rule out)
S - Surgery or trauma (recent, within 4 weeks)? No
H - Hemoptysis? No
O - O2 saturation <95%? No
E - Estrogen/OCP/HRT use? No
T - Thrombosis history (prior DVT/PE)? No
H - Heart rate >100? No
U - Unilateral leg swelling? No
R - (a)ge >50? No [or "Age over 50? No"]
→ All 8 ABSENT + Low pre-test probability = PE RULED OUT
═══════════════════════════════════
SECTION 2: CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
═══════════════════════════════════
2.1 HEART FAILURE
HF Classification - Visual Diagram
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ HEART FAILURE: EF-BASED PHENOTYPE │
├───────────────────┬────────────────────┬────────────────────────────┤
│ HFrEF │ HFmrEF │ HFpEF │
│ EF < 40% │ EF 40-49% │ EF ≥ 50% │
│ "the wet one" │ "the grey zone" │ "the stiff one" │
│ Dilated; systolic │ Often ischemic │ Hypertensive/elderly/obese │
│ RAAS activated │ Intermediate │ Diastolic dysfunction │
│ RESPONDS to: │ │ HARD to treat │
│ ACEi/ARBNi+ │ │ │
│ BB + MRA + SGLT2i │ │ SGLT2i + diuretics only │
└───────────────────┴────────────────────┴────────────────────────────┘
NYHA Classification - Mnemonic: "REST EASY ON STAIRS"
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ NYHA I - No symptoms; ANY activity tolerated ║
║ NYHA II - Symptoms with MODERATE exertion (stairs, hills) ║
║ NYHA III - Symptoms with MINIMAL exertion (dressing, ADLs) ║
║ NYHA IV - Symptoms at REST; bed/chair bound ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Memory: "I do anything | II = Moderate limits | III = Minimal limits | IV = Rest"
ACC/AHA Stages - Mnemonic: "At-Risk Builds Clinically to Dying"
Stage A → At-Risk (HTN, DM, CAD): No structural disease, No symptoms
Stage B → Builds structural changes (LVH, low EF, prior MI): No symptoms yet
Stage C → Clinical HF symptoms + structural disease: Most patients you treat
Stage D → Dying/refractory: Transplant, LVAD, palliative
HF Precipitants - Mnemonic: "FAILURE" (Classic)
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ F - Forget medications (non-compliance) ║
║ A - Arrhythmia (AF is most common trigger) ║
║ I - Infection (pneumonia, UTI, sepsis) ║
║ L - Load excess (salt, IV fluids, pregnancy) ║
║ U - Upstroke new drugs (NSAIDs, CCB, TZD) ║
║ R - Renal failure (fluid retention) ║
║ E - Exertion/MI/Emotional stress ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════╝
HF Etiology - Mnemonic: "VITAMIN C HF"
V - Valvular (AR, MR = volume overload; AS = pressure overload)
I - Ischemic (CAD/MI = #1 in developed world)
T - Toxic (alcohol, anthracyclines, trastuzumab, cocaine)
A - Arrhythmia (tachycardia-mediated CMP - AF)
M - Metabolic/Endocrine (thyrotoxicosis, acromegaly, hemochromatosis)
I - Infiltrative (amyloidosis, sarcoidosis)
N - Non-ischemic dilated CMP (viral, idiopathic, peripartum)
C - Congenital/Cor pulmonale (pulmonary HTN, COPD, PE)
H - Hypertensive CMP
F - Functional/High output (anemia, AV fistula, Paget's, beriberi)
Killip Classification (Post-MI) - Visual Ladder
╔════════╦═══════════════════════════════════════════╦══════════╗
║ CLASS ║ FEATURES ║MORTALITY ║
╠════════╬═══════════════════════════════════════════╬══════════╣
║ I ║ No HF. Clear lungs. ║ ~6% ║
╠════════╬═══════════════════════════════════════════╬══════════╣
║ II ║ Mild HF: S3 gallop, bibasal rales <50% ║ ~17% ║
╠════════╬═══════════════════════════════════════════╬══════════╣
║ III ║ Severe pulm edema: rales >50% lung fields ║ ~38% ║
╠════════╬═══════════════════════════════════════════╬══════════╣
║ IV ║ Cardiogenic shock: SBP<90 + cold + oligo ║ ~67% ║
╚════════╩═══════════════════════════════════════════╩══════════╝
Memory: Killip IV = 4× higher mortality than Killip I
2.2 SHOCK
Shock Classification - Visual Matrix with Hemodynamics
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ SHOCK CLASSIFICATION MAP │
├──────────────────┬──────────┬────────┬──────────┬────────┬──────────────┤
│ TYPE │ CO │ SVR │ PCWP │ CVP │ SKIN/TEMP │
├──────────────────┼──────────┼────────┼──────────┼────────┼──────────────┤
│ DISTRIBUTIVE │ ↑(early)│ ↓↓ │ ↓/Nrml │ ↓/Nrml │ WARM, Flash │
│ (Septic/Anaph.) │ │ │ │ │ │
├──────────────────┼──────────┼────────┼──────────┼────────┼──────────────┤
│ CARDIOGENIC │ ↓↓ │ ↑↑ │ ↑↑ │ ↑ │ COLD, Clamp │
├──────────────────┼──────────┼────────┼──────────┼────────┼──────────────┤
│ HYPOVOLEMIC │ ↓↓ │ ↑↑ │ ↓↓ │ ↓↓ │ COLD, Clamp │
├──────────────────┼──────────┼────────┼──────────┼────────┼──────────────┤
│ OBSTRUCTIVE │ ↓ │ ↑ │ ↑(tamp) │ ↑ │ COLD, Clamp │
│ (Tamponade/PE) │ │ │ ↓(PE) │ │ │
└──────────────────┴──────────┴────────┴──────────┴────────┴──────────────┘
CO=cardiac output, SVR=systemic vascular resistance, PCWP=pulm cap wedge
Shock Types Mnemonic: "D C H O" = "Don't Create Hemodynamic Obstruction"
D - Distributive (Septic, Anaphylactic, Neurogenic, Adrenal)
C - Cardiogenic (MI, Arrhythmia, Myocarditis, Valve rupture)
H - Hypovolemic (Hemorrhagic Class I-IV, Burns, Dehydration)
O - Obstructive (Tamponade, Tension PTX, Massive PE)
Hemorrhagic Shock Classes - Mnemonic: "TBCS" per class (Think Blood, Check Status)
╔══════╦══════════╦═══════╦═══════╦════════╦════════╦══════════╗
║CLASS ║ LOSS(mL) ║ HR ║ SBP ║ RR ║ UO ║ CNS ║
╠══════╬══════════╬═══════╬═══════╬════════╬════════╬══════════╣
║ I ║ <750 ║ Nrml ║ Nrml ║ 14-20 ║ Nrml ║ Anxious ║
║ ║ <15% ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║
╠══════╬══════════╬═══════╬═══════╬════════╬════════╬══════════╣
║ II ║ 750-1500 ║ >100 ║ Nrml ║ 20-30 ║20-30/hr║ Anxious ║
║ ║ 15-30% ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║
╠══════╬══════════╬═══════╬═══════╬════════╬════════╬══════════╣
║ III ║1500-2000 ║ >120 ║ ↓ ║ 30-40 ║5-15/hr ║ Confused ║
║ ║ 30-40% ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║
╠══════╬══════════╬═══════╬═══════╬════════╬════════╬══════════╣
║ IV ║ >2000 ║ >140 ║ ↓↓ ║ >35 ║ <5/hr ║Lethargic ║
║ ║ >40% ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║
╚══════╩══════════╩═══════╩═══════╩════════╩════════╩══════════╝
Memory tip: At Class III = ALL parameters abnormal; Class IV = Near exsanguination
Septic Shock Diagnosis Mnemonic: "SLAM" Rule
S - Suspected/confirmed Infection
L - Lactate > 2 mmol/L despite adequate fluids
A - Arterial pressure (MAP <65 mmHg) despite fluids
M - Medication vasopressor required to maintain MAP ≥65
→ All 4 = Septic Shock (Sepsis-3)
Anaphylaxis - Mnemonic: "ABCD-H"
A - Airway (angioedema, stridor, laryngeal edema)
B - Bronchospasm (wheeze, dyspnea)
C - Cardiovascular (hypotension, tachycardia)
D - Dermis (urticaria, flushing, angioedema - may be absent in severe!)
H - History of exposure (bee sting, food, drug, contrast)
═══════════════════════════════════
SECTION 3: HEPATOLOGY & GI
═══════════════════════════════════
3.1 CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE / CIRRHOSIS
CTP Score - Visual Scoring Table
╔═════════════════════╦═══════════╦═══════════════╦══════════════════╗
║ PARAMETER ║ 1 Point ║ 2 Points ║ 3 Points ║
╠═════════════════════╬═══════════╬═══════════════╬══════════════════╣
║ Bilirubin (µmol/L) ║ <34 ║ 34-51 ║ >51 ║
║ Albumin (g/L) ║ >35 ║ 28-35 ║ <28 ║
║ PT prolongs (sec) ║ <4s ║ 4-6s ║ >6s ║
║ INR ║ <1.7 ║ 1.7-2.3 ║ >2.3 ║
║ Ascites ║ None ║ Mild/Ctrl ║ Moderate/Refrac ║
║ Encephalopathy ║ None ║ Grade 1-2 ║ Grade 3-4 ║
╠═════════════════════╬═══════════╬═══════════════╬══════════════════╣
║ CLASS A = 5-6pts ║ Compensated; 1yr OS ~100%; operative risk 10%║
║ CLASS B = 7-9pts ║ Compromised; 1yr OS ~80%; operative risk 30% ║
║ CLASS C = 10-15pts ║ Decompensated; 1yr OS ~45%; op risk 82% ║
╚═════════════════════╩═══════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Mnemonic for CTP parameters: "BAP AE"
B - Bilirubin A - Albumin P - PT/INR A - Ascites E - Encephalopathy
MELD Score Quick Reference
MELD = 3.78×ln[Bili] + 11.2×ln[INR] + 9.57×ln[Creat] + 6.43
╔═══════════════╦═══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ MELD Score ║ 3-month Mortality ║ Action ║
╠═══════════════╬═════════════════════╬═════════════════════╣
║ < 10 ║ < 2% ║ Monitor ║
║ 10-19 ║ 6-20% ║ Consider listing ║
║ 20-29 ║ 20-40% ║ Active list ║
║ 30-39 ║ 52% ║ Priority listing ║
║ ≥ 40 ║ > 70% ║ ICU/Transplant ║
╚═══════════════╩═════════════════════╩═════════════════════╝
Complications of Cirrhosis - Mnemonic: "HEAVED"
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ H - Hepatic Encephalopathy ║
║ E - Esophageal/Gastric Variceal Bleeding ║
║ A - Ascites (and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis) ║
║ V - Vascular complications (Budd-Chiari, PVT) ║
║ E - Edema (peripheral) + Electrolyte imbalance ║
║ D - Deterioration → HRS, Hepatopulmonary, Cancer(HCC)║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Hepatic Encephalopathy Grading - Mnemonic: "SASC" (Subtle → Asterixis → Stupor → Coma)
┌─────────┬────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ GRADE │ FEATURES │
├─────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 0/Covert│ Normal exam; abnormal on PHES test; "Minimal HE" │
│ Grade 1 │ Subtle confusion, sleep disturbance, euphoria/anxiety │
│ Grade 2 │ ASTERIXIS (flapping tremor), drowsy, disoriented TIME │
│ Grade 3 │ Marked confusion, stupor, responds to stimuli │
│ Grade 4 │ COMA; no response to pain │
└─────────┴────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Asterixis = Grade 2 HE (classic exam finding)
HE Precipitants - Mnemonic: "BLEED GI"
B - Bleeding (GI variceal/peptic ulcer)
L - Lactulose stopped / Laxatives omitted
E - Electrolytes (hypokalemia, hyponatremia)
E - Excess protein intake
D - Drugs (sedatives, benzodiazepines, opioids)
G - GI infection / SBP
I - Infection anywhere (pneumonia, UTI)
+ R - Renal failure / constipation
Ascites Grading + SAAG
SAAG = Serum Albumin - Ascitic Albumin (both same day)
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ SAAG ≥ 1.1 g/dL → PORTAL HYPERTENSION │
│ (Cirrhosis, CCF, Budd-Chiari, PVT, Alcoholic hepatitis) │
│ SAAG < 1.1 g/dL → NON-PORTAL HYPERTENSION │
│ (TB peritonitis, Malignancy, Nephrotic, Pancreatitis) │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
ASCITES GRADING:
Grade 1: US detectable only (trace)
Grade 2: Moderate; symmetric distension; shifting dullness +
Grade 3: Gross/Tense; fluid thrill +; therapeutic paracentesis needed
REFRACTORY: Max diuretics fail (Spiro 400mg + Furo 160mg) OR
Recurs within 4 weeks of LVP → TIPS/Transplant
SBP Variants - Mnemonic: "SBP CNNA BACT 2ndary"
┌────────────────────┬────────────────┬─────────┬──────────────────────┐
│ VARIANT │ PMN (/mm³) │ CULTURE │ ACTION │
├────────────────────┼────────────────┼─────────┼──────────────────────┤
│ SBP (classic) │ ≥250 │ + │ IV Cefotaxime 5 days │
│ CNNA │ ≥250 │ - │ Treat as SBP │
│ Bacterascites │ <250 │ + │ Treat if symptomatic │
│ Secondary Periton. │ ≥250 │ + (poly)│ CT + SURGERY │
└────────────────────┴────────────────┴─────────┴──────────────────────┘
SBP Organisms: E.coli > Klebsiella > S. pneumoniae (monomicrobial)
SBP + Albumin (Day 1: 1.5g/kg; Day 3: 1g/kg) = prevents HRS
HRS Mnemonic: "1-2-R" → AKI-CKD-Resolution
HRS-AKI (former Type 1): RAPID ≤2 weeks; Creat doubles >2.5 in <2wks
Trigger: SBP, bleeding, sepsis
Prognosis: POOR (days to weeks)
HRS-CKD (former Type 2): SLOW; steady rise; refractory ascites
Prognosis: Months; responds to TIPS
Diagnosis: Cirrhosis + Ascites + Creat >1.5 + No response to
48h albumin challenge (1g/kg/day) + No shock + No
nephrotoxins + No intrinsic renal disease
3.2 ACUTE LIVER FAILURE (ALF)
O'Grady Classification by Time - Mnemonic: "HASTE" Reversed → Hyperacute is Fastest and Best Prognosis
┌────────────────┬────────────────────┬──────────────────┬─────────────────┐
│ TYPE │ JAUNDICE→HE TIME │ COMMON CAUSES │ PROGNOSIS │
├────────────────┼────────────────────┼──────────────────┼─────────────────┤
│ HYPERACUTE │ < 7 days │ Paracetamol, │ BEST │
│ │ (fastest) │ Ischemic, HepA/E │ (can self-heal) │
├────────────────┼────────────────────┼──────────────────┼─────────────────┤
│ ACUTE │ 7 - 28 days │ HepA/B, │ INTERMEDIATE │
│ │ │ Paracetamol │ │
├────────────────┼────────────────────┼──────────────────┼─────────────────┤
│ SUBACUTE │ 28 days - 12 weeks │ Drug reactions, │ WORST │
│ │ (slowest) │ Cryptogenic, │ (highest │
│ │ │ Seronegative │ waitlist mort.) │
└────────────────┴────────────────────┴──────────────────┴─────────────────┘
Memory: "Faster onset → Better outcome" (counterintuitive!)
King's College Criteria - Mnemonic: "pH or PHC"
PARACETAMOL:
pH < 7.30 alone → LIST
OR (all 3): PT >100s (INR >6.5) + HE Grade III-IV + Creatinine >300 µmol/L
NON-PARACETAMOL (any 1 OR any 3 of):
PT >100s (INR >6.5) = LIST alone
OR any 3 of: Age <10 or >40 | Drug/Cryptogenic | Jaundice→HE >7 days |
INR >3.5 | Bilirubin >300 µmol/L
ALF Etiology - Mnemonic: "DAVE WHP"
D - Drugs (Paracetamol #1, Anti-TB drugs, herbal medicines)
A - Autoimmune hepatitis
V - Viral (HepA, HepB, HepE in pregnancy, HSV, CMV)
E - Ectopic (Wilson's disease - young; low uric acid + Kayser-Fleischer)
W - Wilson's + Ischemic (shock liver, Budd-Chiari)
H - HELLP / Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy
P - Pregnancy-related (AFLP)
3.3 INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE (IBD)
CD vs UC - Key Differentiating Diagram
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ CROHN'S DISEASE │ ULCERATIVE COLITIS │
├─────────────────────────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Any part of GI (mouth → anus) │ COLON ONLY (rectum → proximal) │
│ SKIP LESIONS │ CONTINUOUS lesions │
│ TRANSMURAL inflammation │ MUCOSAL only │
│ NON-CASEATING granulomas │ No granulomas; crypt abscesses │
│ Fistulas, strictures, abscesses │ Toxic megacolon, bleeding │
│ Cobblestone mucosa │ Lead-pipe colon (haustra lost) │
│ Fat wrapping / creeping fat │ Pseudopolyps │
│ String sign (stricture on barium) │ Shortened colon │
│ Perianal disease common │ Perianal rare │
│ Smoking INCREASES risk │ Smoking DECREASES risk │
│ p-ANCA negative; ASCA positive │ p-ANCA positive; ASCA negative │
└─────────────────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────────────┘
Montreal Classification - Mnemonic: "L for Location, B for Behavior, E for Extent"
CROHN'S (L + B):
L1 = Terminal Ileum (ileitis)
L2 = Colonic only
L3 = Ileocolonic (most common at diagnosis)
L4 = Upper GI modifier
B1 = Inflammatory (non-stricturing, non-penetrating)
B2 = Structuring (bowel obstruction)
B3 = Penetrating (fistulas, abscesses)
+ p = Perianal modifier (add to B1/B2/B3)
UC EXTENT (E):
E1 = Proctitis (up to rectosigmoid)
E2 = Left-sided / Distal (up to splenic flexure)
E3 = Extensive / Pancolitis (beyond splenic flexure)
UC Severity - Truelove & Witts
╔═══════════════════════╦═══════════╦═════════════╦═════════════════╗
║ PARAMETER ║ MILD ║ MODERATE ║ SEVERE ║
╠═══════════════════════╬═══════════╬═════════════╬═════════════════╣
║ Bloody stools/day ║ < 4 ║ 4-6 ║ > 6 ║
║ Temperature ║ Normal ║ < 37.8°C ║ > 37.8°C ║
║ Heart rate ║ Normal ║ < 90 ║ > 90 bpm ║
║ Hemoglobin ║ Normal ║ 10.5-Nrml ║ < 10.5 g/dL ║
║ ESR ║ < 20 ║ 20-30 ║ > 30 mm/hr ║
║ Albumin ║ Normal ║ Normal ║ < 30 g/L ║
╚═══════════════════════╩═══════════╩═════════════╩═════════════════╝
Mnemonic for Severe UC: "TB HASH" = Temp↑ | Bloody stools >6 | HR >90 | Albumin↓ | Hb <10.5 | ESR↑
IBD Complications - Mnemonic: "TOPS + CAFE"
INTESTINAL ("TOPS"):
T - Toxic megacolon (colon >6cm + systemic toxicity = surgical emergency)
O - Obstruction/strictures (Crohn's B2)
P - Perforation
S - Severe bleeding
EXTRAINTESTINAL ("CAFE"):
C - Colorectal Cancer (UC pan-colitis >8-10 years, Crohn's ileum)
A - Arthritis (peripheral + axial/ankylosing spondylitis)
F - Full body: Skin (pyoderma gangrenosum, erythema nodosum)
E - Eyes (uveitis, episcleritis) + PSC (UC-associated)
═══════════════════════════════════
SECTION 4: NEUROLOGY
═══════════════════════════════════
4.1 STROKE
Stroke Classification Tree
STROKE
/ \
ISCHEMIC (87%) HEMORRHAGIC (13%)
/ \
┌────────────┐ ┌──────────────────┐
│ TOAST TYPE │ │ ICH SAH │
└────────────┘ └──────────────────┘
1. Large artery │ │
2. Cardioembolic Hypertensive Aneurysm
3. Small vessel (Lacunar) CAA AVM
4. Other determined Coagulopathy
5. Cryptogenic Tumor
TOAST Classification - Mnemonic: "LACCS"
L - Large artery atherosclerosis (stenosis ≥50% major artery)
A - AF/Cardioembolic (AF, LV thrombus, IE, prosthetic valve)
C - Cryptogenic (no cause found despite full workup)
C - CaRdiac other / Coagulopathy / disseCtion / CADASIL (Other determined)
S - Small vessel / lacunar (<15mm deep infarct, no cortical signs)
OCSP/Bamford Territory Classification - Visual Diagram
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ STROKE TERRITORY MAP (Bamford Classification) ║
╠══════════════╦══════════════════════════════════════════╦═════════════╣
║ TACI (Total ║ All 3: Motor/Sensory (face+arm+leg) + ║ MCA ║
║ Anterior) ║ Gaze palsy + Higher cortical dysfn ║ 60% mort. ║
╠══════════════╬══════════════════════════════════════════╬═════════════╣
║ PACI (Part. ║ 2 of 3 OR isolated higher cortical ║ MCA branch ║
║ Anterior) ║ (aphasia, neglect, visuospatial) ║ 15-20% ║
╠══════════════╬══════════════════════════════════════════╬═════════════╣
║ POCI (Post. ║ Brainstem/cerebellar: diplopia, vertigo, ║ PCA/Basilar║
║ Circ) ║ ataxia, crossed signs, bilateral motor ║ 20% ║
╠══════════════╬══════════════════════════════════════════╬═════════════╣
║ LACI ║ Pure motor OR pure sensory OR Ataxic ║ Penetrating║
║ (Lacunar) ║ hemiparesis OR Dysarthria-clumsy hand ║ arteries ║
║ ║ NO cortical signs, NO hemianopia ║ 10% ║
╚══════════════╩══════════════════════════════════════════╩═════════════╝
Lacunar Syndromes - Mnemonic: "PPDA"
P - Pure Motor hemiparesis (internal capsule/pons)
P - Pure Sensory stroke (VPL thalamus)
D - Dysarthria-Clumsy Hand (pons/internal capsule genu)
A - Ataxic hemiparesis (pons/internal capsule)
ICH Locations - Mnemonic: "Hypertensive BPP; CAA LOVES Lobes"
HYPERTENSIVE ICH: B - Basal ganglia (PUTAMEN = most common)
P - Pons
P - (Posterior fossa) Cerebellum, Thalamus
CAA (amyloid): LOBAR bleeds - frontal, parietal, occipital
Multiple microbleeds on MRI (GRE/SWI sequences)
NIHSS Quick Reference
╔══════════════════════════════════════╗
║ NIHSS Score → Stroke Severity ║
╠══════════════╦═══════════════════════╣
║ 0 ║ No stroke ║
║ 1 - 4 ║ Minor stroke ║
║ 5 - 15 ║ Moderate stroke ║
║ 16 - 20 ║ Moderately severe ║
║ > 20 ║ Severe stroke ║
╚══════════════╩═══════════════════════╝
Mnemonic: "No Minor Mod ModSev Sev" = 0 / 1-4 / 5-15 / 16-20 / >20
Hunt & Hess (SAH) - Mnemonic: "A HeadACHE that Kills"
Grade 1: MILD headache, no deficit (A = Alert, Alive, Asymptomatic almost)
Grade 2: MODERATE headache + neck stiffness, no deficit except CN palsy
Grade 3: DROWSY/confused, mild focal deficit (D = Drowsy)
Grade 4: STUPOR + hemiparesis (moderate to severe)
Grade 5: DEEP COMA, decerebrate rigidity (DYING)
Memory: 1=Headache only; 5=Near dead
Stroke Complications - Mnemonic: "HASHED"
H - Hemorrhagic transformation (especially cardioembolic)
A - Aspiration pneumonia (most common cause of death post-stroke!)
S - Seizures (early post-stroke, cortical involvement)
H - Hydrocephalus (SAH, cerebellar ICH/infarct)
E - Edema + Herniation (massive MCA stroke, Day 2-5)
D - DVT/PE (immobility) + Depression
4.2 MENINGITIS / ENCEPHALITIS
CSF Findings - Master Comparison Table
╔══════════════════╦═══════════════╦═══════════════╦═══════════════╦══════════════╗
║ PARAMETER ║ NORMAL ║ BACTERIAL ║ VIRAL ║ TB/FUNGAL ║
╠══════════════════╬═══════════════╬═══════════════╬═══════════════╬══════════════╣
║ Pressure ║ 10-20 cmH2O ║ Very HIGH ║ Nrml/slight↑ ║ Elevated ║
║ Appearance ║ Crystal clear ║ TURBID/PURU. ║ Clear ║ Clear/viscous║
║ WBC (cells/mm³) ║ 0-5 ║ >1000 (PMN) ║ 100-1000 ║ 100-500 ║
║ ║ ║ ║ (Lymphocytes) ║ (Lymphocytes)║
║ Protein ║ 0.2-0.45 g/L ║ >1 g/L (HIGH) ║ Mild ↑ ║ HIGH >1 g/L ║
║ Glucose ║ 2.5-4.5 ║ <2.2 mmol/L ║ Normal ║ LOW <2.5 ║
║ CSF:Blood Gluc. ║ >0.6 ║ <0.4 ║ >0.6 ║ <0.5 ║
║ Gram stain ║ - ║ +60-90% ║ - ║ AFB 10-40% ║
║ India ink ║ - ║ - ║ - ║ + Crypto ║
║ ADA (U/L) ║ <10 ║ Variable ║ Normal ║ >10 (TB) ║
╚══════════════════╩═══════════════╩═══════════════╩═══════════════╩══════════════╝
Bacterial Meningitis by Age - Mnemonic: "NEG Strep LAG"
NEONATES (<3m): GBS (Group B Strep) + E.coli + Listeria
→ Empiric: Ampicillin + Cefotaxime + Acyclovir (HSV)
CHILDREN (3m-18y): N. meningitidis + S. pneumoniae + H. influenzae (rare post-vaccine)
→ Empiric: Ceftriaxone ± Dexamethasone
ADULTS (18-50y): S. pneumoniae + N. meningitidis
→ Empiric: Ceftriaxone + Dexamethasone
ELDERLY >50/IMMUNO: S. pneumoniae + Listeria + GNRs
→ Empiric: Ceftriaxone + Ampicillin + Dexamethasone
MNEMONICS:
"SHELL" for bugs: Strep pneumo | H. influenzae | E.coli/GNRs | Listeria | L (N.) meningitidis
TB Meningitis - MRC Grading - Mnemonic: "Alert-Mixed-Coma"
MRC Grade I = ALERT; No focal deficit; GCS 15
MRC Grade II = CONFUSED (GCS 11-14) OR focal neurological deficit
MRC Grade III = COMA (GCS ≤10) ± any deficit
Mortality: Grade I ~10% | Grade II ~25-30% | Grade III ~50-70%
Encephalitis Red Flags - Mnemonic: "HEAT" for HSV
H - Hemorrhagic temporal lobe lesion on MRI
E - EEG: periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (PLEDs) in temporal region
A - Aphasia / behavioral change
T - Temporal lobe hyperintensity on FLAIR MRI
→ Start ACYCLOVIR IMMEDIATELY even before PCR results
Viral Encephalitis Quick Reference - Mnemonic: "HV JEB RN"
H - HSV-1: Temporal lobe; most common; treat with Acyclovir urgently
V - VZV: Vasculitis; cerebellar ataxia; elderly; rash
J - JEV: Thalamic involvement; Asia; mosquito-borne
E - Enterovirus: Most common MENINGITIS (not encephalitis); benign
B - EBV: Cerebellar ataxia; lymphadenopathy
R - Rabies: Furious (encephalitic) or dumb (paralytic); 100% fatal
N - Nipah: Bats; SE Asia; fatal
═══════════════════════════════════
SECTION 5: RENAL SYSTEM
═══════════════════════════════════
5.1 ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY (AKI)
KDIGO Staging - Visual Scale
╔═══════════╦═══════════════════════════════════╦═══════════════════════════════╗
║ STAGE ║ SERUM CREATININE ║ URINE OUTPUT ║
╠═══════════╬═══════════════════════════════════╬═══════════════════════════════╣
║ 1 ║ 1.5-1.9× baseline ║ <0.5 mL/kg/hr for 6-12h ║
║ ║ OR ↑ ≥0.3 mg/dL in 48h ║ ║
╠═══════════╬═══════════════════════════════════╬═══════════════════════════════╣
║ 2 ║ 2.0-2.9× baseline ║ <0.5 mL/kg/hr for ≥12h ║
╠═══════════╬═══════════════════════════════════╬═══════════════════════════════╣
║ 3 ║ ≥3× baseline ║ <0.3 mL/kg/hr for ≥24h ║
║ (CRITICAL)║ OR ↑ ≥4 mg/dL ║ OR Anuria ≥12h ║
║ ║ OR RRT initiated ║ ║
║ ║ OR eGFR <35 (<18 yrs) ║ ║
╚═══════════╩═══════════════════════════════════╩═══════════════════════════════╝
AKI Etiology - Mnemonic: "PRE-IN-POST"
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ PRE-RENAL (55-60%): "The kidney is fine; flow is not" ║
║ Volume depletion / Low CO (HF) / Hepatorenal syndrome ║
║ NSAIDs, ACEi/ARB (renal vasoconstriction) ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ INTRINSIC (35-40%): "The kidney itself is sick" ║
║ ATN (tubular) ← ischemia, aminoglycosides, contrast, myoglobin ║
║ AIN (interstitial) ← NSAIDs, PPIs, antibiotics, sarcoid ║
║ GN (glomerular) ← RPGN, ANCA, anti-GBM, immune complex ║
║ Vascular ← HUS/TTP, malignant HTN, atheroemboli ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ POST-RENAL (5-10%): "The kidney is fine; outflow is blocked" ║
║ BPH, prostate cancer, stones, retroperitoneal fibrosis ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Pre-Renal vs ATN - Mnemonic: "FUSO" (FENa, Urine Osm, Sediment, Output response)
┌──────────────────┬──────────────────────┬──────────────────────┐
│ PARAMETER │ PRE-RENAL │ ATN (Established) │
├──────────────────┼──────────────────────┼──────────────────────┤
│ FENa │ < 1% │ > 2% │
│ FeUrea │ < 35% │ > 50% │
│ Urine Osm │ > 500 mOsm/kg │ ~300 mOsm/kg │
│ Urine Na │ < 20 mEq/L │ > 40 mEq/L │
│ Urine SG │ > 1.020 │ ~1.010 (isosthenuria)│
│ Urine sediment │ Normal/Hyaline casts │ MUDDY BROWN casts │
│ Response to IV │ Creat FALLS │ Creat stays/rises │
│ Albumin (SAAG ?) │ If HRS: albumin low │ N/A │
└──────────────────┴──────────────────────┴──────────────────────┘
Indications for Urgent RRT - Mnemonic: "AEIOU" (Classic)
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ A - Acidosis (metabolic, refractory; pH <7.1) ║
║ E - Electrolytes (hyperkalemia: ECG changes, ║
║ refractory to medical therapy) ║
║ I - Intoxication (dialyzable: Lithium, ║
║ Salicylates, Methanol, Ethylene glycol) ║
║ O - Overload (pulmonary edema refractory to ║
║ diuretics) ║
║ U - Uremia (pericarditis, encephalopathy, ║
║ uremic platelet dysfunction) ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
═══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 6: INFECTIOUS DISEASE / CRITICAL CARE
═══════════════════════════════════════
6.1 SEPSIS, SEPTIC SHOCK & MODS
Sepsis-3 Definitions - Visual Escalation Ladder
INFECTION
↓
SEPSIS = Infection + SOFA ≥2 (acute organ dysfunction)
↓
SEPTIC SHOCK = Sepsis + vasopressors (MAP ≥65) + Lactate >2 mmol/L
despite adequate volume resuscitation
SOFA Score - From Goldman-Cecil Medicine
╔══════════════════════╦══════╦═══════╦══════════════╦══════════════════════╦═════════════╗
║ SYSTEM ║ 0 ║ 1 ║ 2 ║ 3 ║ 4 ║
╠══════════════════════╬══════╬═══════╬══════════════╬══════════════════════╬═════════════╣
║ Respiratory ║ ≥400 ║ <400 ║ <300 ║ <200 (+ventilated) ║ <100 (+vent)║
║ (PaO2/FiO2) ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║
╠══════════════════════╬══════╬═══════╬══════════════╬══════════════════════╬═════════════╣
║ Coagulation ║ ≥150 ║ <150 ║ <100 ║ <50 ║ <20 ║
║ (Platelets ×10³/µL) ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║
╠══════════════════════╬══════╬═══════╬══════════════╬══════════════════════╬═════════════╣
║ Liver ║ <1.2 ║1.2-1.9║ 2.0-5.9 ║ 6.0-11.9 ║ >12.0 ║
║ (Bilirubin mg/dL) ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║
╠══════════════════════╬══════╬═══════╬══════════════╬══════════════════════╬═════════════╣
║ Cardiovascular ║MAP ║MAP ║ Dopa ≤5 or ║ Dopa 5-15 or Epi ║ Dopa >15 or ║
║ ║≥70 ║<70 ║ any Dobut. ║ ≤0.1 or NE ≤0.1 ║ Epi/NE >0.1 ║
╠══════════════════════╬══════╬═══════╬══════════════╬══════════════════════╬═════════════╣
║ CNS (GCS) ║ 15 ║13-14 ║ 10-12 ║ 6-9 ║ <6 ║
╠══════════════════════╬══════╬═══════╬══════════════╬══════════════════════╬═════════════╣
║ Renal (Creat mg/dL) ║ <1.2 ║1.2-1.9║ 2.0-3.4 ║ 3.5-4.9 or ║ >5.0 or ║
║ / Urine output ║ ║ ║ ║ UO <500 mL/d ║ UO <200/d ║
╚══════════════════════╩══════╩═══════╩══════════════╩══════════════════════╩═════════════╝
SOFA ≥2 = sepsis (acute organ dysfunction). Each organ ≥2 = significant single organ failure.
Source: Singer M et al. JAMA 2016; Adapted from Goldman-Cecil Medicine
qSOFA - Mnemonic: "ARMS UP" to screen outside ICU
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ qSOFA (≥2 points = High risk of sepsis) ║
║ A - Altered mental status (GCS <15) ║
║ R - Respiratory rate ≥ 22/min ║
║ S - Systolic BP ≤ 100 mmHg ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Score 0-3; ≥2 → full SOFA assessment + blood cultures + antibiotics
Sepsis Hour-1 Bundle - Mnemonic: "B-LADS" (Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2021)
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ B - Blood cultures (×2, before antibiotics) ║
║ L - Lactate measurement ║
║ A - Antibiotics (broad-spectrum within 1 hour) ║
║ D - Drip (IV fluids 30 mL/kg crystalloid if hypoTN/lactate ≥4)║
║ S - Support BP (vasopressors if MAP <65 after fluids) ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Common Sepsis Sources - Mnemonic: "PULSE AB"
P - Pulmonary (pneumonia - most common source)
U - Urinary (urosepsis - E.coli, Klebsiella)
L - Liver/Biliary (cholangitis - Charcot's triad + Reynolds pentad)
S - Skin/Soft tissue (cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis)
E - Endocarditis (IE - new murmur + emboli + fever + bacteremia)
A - Abdominal (peritonitis, SBP, appendicitis)
B - Bloodstream (primary CLABSI - central line)
MODS Organ Systems - Mnemonic: "RLHCNG D" (Real Livers Have Clotting, Neurological and GI Damage)
R - Respiratory: ARDS (PaO2/FiO2 <300 mild, <200 mod, <100 severe)
L - renal (Kidneys): AKI, oliguria, requiring RRT
H - Hematology: DIC (↓platelets, ↓fibrinogen, ↑PT/APTT, ↑D-dimer)
C - Cardiovascular: Shock, vasopressor-dependent
N - Neurological: Encephalopathy, GCS decline
G - (liverG) Hepatic: Elevated bilirubin, coagulopathy
D - Digestive/GI: Ileus, GI bleeding, mucosal barrier failure
═══════════════════════════════════
SECTION 7: ENDOCRINE / METABOLIC
═══════════════════════════════════
7.1 DKA vs HHS
DKA Severity - Visual Traffic Light
╔═══════════════════╦═══════════════════╦════════════════════╦════════════════════╗
║ PARAMETER ║ MILD 🟡 ║ MODERATE 🟠 ║ SEVERE 🔴 ║
╠═══════════════════╬═══════════════════╬════════════════════╬════════════════════╣
║ Blood glucose ║ > 250 mg/dL ║ > 250 mg/dL ║ > 250 mg/dL ║
║ Arterial pH ║ 7.25 - 7.30 ║ 7.00 - 7.24 ║ < 7.00 ║
║ Bicarbonate ║ 15 - 18 mEq/L ║ 10 - 14 mEq/L ║ < 10 mEq/L ║
║ Ketones ║ Positive ║ Positive ║ Positive ║
║ Anion gap ║ > 10 ║ > 12 ║ > 12 ║
║ Mental status ║ ALERT ║ Alert/Drowsy ║ STUPOR/COMA ║
╚═══════════════════╩═══════════════════╩════════════════════╩════════════════════╝
DKA vs HHS Comparison
╔══════════════════════╦═════════════════════════╦═══════════════════════════╗
║ FEATURE ║ DKA ║ HHS ║
╠══════════════════════╬═════════════════════════╬═══════════════════════════╣
║ Glucose ║ Usually 250-600 mg/dL ║ > 600 mg/dL ║
║ pH ║ < 7.30 ║ > 7.30 (normal) ║
║ Bicarbonate ║ < 15 ║ Normal or slightly ↓ ║
║ Ketones ║ +++ ║ Absent or trace ║
║ Serum osmolality ║ Mild/mod elevation ║ > 320 mOsm/kg ║
║ Onset ║ Rapid (hours) ║ Slow (days to weeks) ║
║ Typical patient ║ T1DM, younger ║ T2DM, elderly ║
║ Mortality ║ 1-5% ║ 5-20% (higher!) ║
╚══════════════════════╩═════════════════════════╩═══════════════════════════╝
DKA Precipitants - Mnemonic: "The 5 I's"
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ I - Infection (30-40%): pneumonia, UTI, foot ║
║ I - Insulin omission/non-compliance (25%) ║
║ I - Infarction: MI, stroke (stress hyperglycemia) ║
║ I - Inflammation: Pancreatitis ║
║ I - Iatrogenic/Idiopathic: Steroids, SGLT2i, ║
║ new-onset T1DM ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
⚠️ EUGLYCEMIC DKA: SGLT2 inhibitors → DKA with glucose <250!
Do NOT withhold insulin; glucose appears normal
DKA Management - Mnemonic: "FIVE"
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ F - Fluids: 0.9% NaCl. 1L/hr first hour; correct dehydration ║
║ I - Insulin: Fixed-rate IV insulin 0.1 U/kg/hr ║
║ ⚠️ Do NOT start if K+ <3.5 (fix K first!) ║
║ V - Vitamins/Electrolytes: K+ replacement is CRITICAL ║
║ K 3.5-5.5: Replace with insulin; K<3.5: Hold insulin, give K║
║ E - Evaluate: Find and treat the precipitant (cultures, ECG) ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Anion Gap Quick Reference
AG = Na - (Cl + HCO3) Normal = 8-12 (or 12±2 if Albumin = 4 g/dL)
Corrected AG = Measured AG + 2.5 × (4 - albumin)
HIGH AG Causes - Mnemonic: "MUDPILES CAT"
M - Methanol I - Isoniazid/Iron
U - Uremia L - Lactic acidosis
D - DKA E - Ethylene glycol
P - Propylene glycol S - Salicylates
C - CO / Cyanide A - Aldehydes T - Toluene
═══════════════════════════════════
SECTION 8: ONCOLOGY
═══════════════════════════════════
8.1 GENERAL CANCER FRAMEWORK
TNM Staging - Mnemonic: "TNM = Tumor-Nodes-Mets"
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ T (Primary Tumor): T0 → Tis (in situ) → T1 → T2 → T3 → T4 ║
║ N (Regional Nodes): N0 (none) → N1 → N2 → N3 (more nodes) ║
║ M (Metastasis): M0 (none) → M1 (present = Stage IV) ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Stage I = T1-2, N0, M0 (localized) ║
║ Stage II = T3-4, N0, M0 OR T1-2, N1, M0 ║
║ Stage III = Any T, N1-3, M0 (regional spread) ║
║ Stage IV = Any T, Any N, M1 (DISTANT METASTASIS) ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
ECOG Performance Status - Mnemonic: "WACD" = Walk, Activity, Care, Disabled"
0 - Fully active; no restriction (WORKS normally)
1 - Light work only; restricted in strenuous activity (AMBULATORY)
2 - Self-care only; no work; up >50% of waking hours (CHAIR-FREE daytime)
3 - Limited self-care; in bed/chair >50% of waking hours (CHAIR BOUND)
4 - Completely disabled; no self-care (BED BOUND)
5 - Dead
ECOG ≥3 = typically unfit for aggressive chemotherapy
ECOG 0-2 = generally suitable for most treatment
8.2 LUNG CANCER
Cell Type Classification
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ LUNG CANCER (Primary) │
├─────────────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────┤
│ NON-SMALL CELL (NSCLC) = 85% │ SMALL CELL (SCLC) = 15% │
├──────────────────┬──────────────────┤ │
│ ADENOCARCINOMA │ SQUAMOUS CELL │ CENTRAL; HILAR │
│ 40% │ 30% │ Rapid growth │
│ PERIPHERAL │ CENTRAL │ Early mets (brain, liver, BM) │
│ Non/ex-smokers │ SMOKERS │ STRONG smoking assoc. │
│ GGO on CT │ Cavitating │ Paraneoplastic common │
│ │ │ │
│ Mutations: │ Hilar mass │ STAGING: │
│ EGFR (Asian,f, │ PTHrP → │ LD = one hemithorax │
│ non-smoker) │ Hypercalcemia │ ED = beyond hemithorax │
│ ALK, ROS1, KRAS │ │ (not TNM used clinically) │
└──────────────────┴──────────────────┴────────────────────────────────┘
NSCLC Stage → Treatment Summary
Stage I → Surgery (lobectomy) → Cure possible
Stage II → Surgery ± adjuvant chemo
Stage III → Concurrent chemoradiation (Durvalumab consolidation)
Stage IV → SYSTEMIC:
EGFR+ → Osimertinib (1st line)
ALK+ → Alectinib (1st line)
PD-L1 ≥50% → Pembrolizumab
PD-L1 <50% → Chemo + Immunotherapy
KRAS G12C → Sotorasib
Lung Cancer Paraneoplastics - Mnemonic: "SCLC makes hormones; SCC makes calcium"
SCLC: SIADH (ADH secretion) → Hyponatremia
Cushing's (ACTH ectopic) → Hypokalemia, hyperglycemia
LEMS (anti-VGCC) → Proximal weakness, autonomic dysfunction
Cerebellar degeneration (anti-Hu, anti-Yo)
SCC: Hypercalcemia (PTHrP) → Bones, stones, groans, moans
Any: Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (periostitis)
Digital clubbing
8.3 LYMPHOMA
Ann Arbor Staging - Visual Anatomy Diagram
ANN ARBOR STAGING
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ STAGE I: ONE node region or ONE extranodal site │
│ STAGE II: ≥2 node regions SAME SIDE of diaphragm │
│ STAGE III: Node regions BOTH SIDES of diaphragm │
│ STAGE IV: DISSEMINATED extranodal (bone marrow, liver) │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ MODIFIERS: │
│ A = No B symptoms (good) │
│ B = B symptoms: Fever >38°C, Night sweats, Wt loss >10% │
│ E = Extranodal extension │
│ S = Spleen involved │
│ X = Bulky disease (>10cm or >1/3 thoracic width) │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Mnemonic for B symptoms: "FLY BY Night" = Fever | wt Loss | nYght sweats | Bone/constitutional
NHL Types - Mnemonic: "DFBMT" = Different Follicular Bugs Make Trouble"
D - DLBCL: Aggressive; most common; CD20+; R-CHOP; curable ~60%
F - Follicular: Indolent; t(14;18) BCL2; incurable but long survival
B - Burkitt: Very aggressive; MYC t(8;14); "starry sky"; EBV-related
M - Mantle Cell: CD5+; cyclin D1; t(11;14); aggressive-moderate
T - T-cell/NK: ALCL (CD30+); PTCL; NK/T nasal (EBV); worst prognosis
IPI Score (NHL Prognosis)
1 point each (remember "AANES"):
A - Age >60
A - ACTH (LDH) > upper normal (elevated LDH)
N - Number of extranodal sites >1
E - ECOG Performance status ≥2
S - Stage III or IV
IPI 0-1 = Low risk (~75% 5yr OS)
IPI 2 = Low-intermediate
IPI 3 = High-intermediate
IPI 4-5 = High risk (~25% 5yr OS)
═══════════════════════════════════
SECTION 9: MASTER RECALL SYSTEM
═══════════════════════════════════
COMPLETE MNEMONICS DICTIONARY
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ CONDITION │ MNEMONIC │ WHAT IT COVERS │
├─────────────────────┼───────────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────┤
│ COPD Severity │ MILD MOIST SMOKE VERY │ GOLD Grades 1-4 (FEV1 thresholds) │
│ COPD ABCE │ A, B, and E only │ No more C/D since GOLD 2023 │
│ COPD Complications │ CRAPS P │ Cor pulmonale, RF, Arrhythmia, PTX │
│ Anthonisen │ DPS │ Dyspnea, Purulence, Sputum volume │
│ Asthma (Phenotypes) │ ALIEN OA │ All asthma subtypes │
│ Near-fatal Asthma │ SCAB │ Silent chest, Cyan., Alt.C, Brady │
│ CAP Severe MINOR │ LUMP3T (+ 3 more) │ ≥3 minor = ICU criteria │
│ TB Sites │ PLUMPS CG AB │ All EPTB locations │
│ TB Drug Resistance │ DS→RR→MDR→PreX→XDR │ Escalating resistance hierarchy │
│ PE Rule-out │ SHOE THUR │ 8 PERC criteria │
│ PE Risk │ High/InterHigh/Low │ Hemo.+RV+Biomarkers pyramid │
│ Heart Failure Types │ HFrEF/mEF/pEF │ EF-based phenotype (<40/40-49/≥50) │
│ NYHA Classes │ None/Mod/Min/Rest │ Activity limitation steps │
│ ACC/AHA Stages │ At-Risk→Builds→Clin→D │ A,B,C,D progression │
│ HF Precipitants │ FAILURE │ Forgetting meds, Arrh, Infx, Load… │
│ HF Etiology │ VITAMIN C HF │ All causes of HF │
│ Shock Types │ D C H O │ Distributive, Cardio., Hypo., Obst │
│ Hemorrhagic Shock │ Classes I-IV │ Blood loss %, HR, SBP, UO, CNS │
│ Septic Shock Dx │ SLAM │ Sepsis+Lactate+Artery+Meds │
│ Cirrhosis Complic. │ HEAVED │ HE, Esoph varices, Ascites, Vasc… │
│ HE Precipitants │ BLEED GI │ Bleeding, Lactulose, Electrolytes… │
│ HE Grades │ SASC │ Subtle→Asterixis→Stupor→Coma │
│ ALF Types │ Faster=Better │ Hyperacute >Acute >Subacute progn. │
│ ALF Etiology │ DAVE WHP │ All causes of ALF │
│ UC Severe │ TB HASH │ Temp, Bloody>6, HR, Albumin, Hb, E │
│ IBD Complications │ TOPS + CAFE │ Intestinal + Extraintestinal │
│ TOAST (Stroke) │ LACCS │ All 5 ischemic stroke types │
│ Stroke Complications│ HASHED │ Hemorrhagic trasnf., Aspiration… │
│ Lacunar Syndromes │ PPDA │ Pure motor, Pure sensory, Dys, Atax│
│ Bacterial Mening. │ NEG Strep LAG (by age)│ Organisms by age group │
│ HSV Encephalitis │ HEAT │ Hemorrhagic, EEG, Aphasia, Temporal│
│ AKI Etiology │ PRE-IN-POST │ Pre/Intra/Post-renal │
│ AKI RRT Indications │ AEIOU │ Acidosis, Electro, Intox, Overload │
│ Sepsis Bundle │ B-LADS │ Blood cx, Lactate, Abx, Drip, BP │
│ Sepsis Sources │ PULSE AB │ All 7 common sources │
│ MODS Organs │ RLHCNG D │ Resp, renal, Heme, CVS, Neuro, GI │
│ DKA Precipitants │ 5 I's │ Infx, Insulin omit, Infarct, Inflamm│
│ DKA Management │ FIVE │ Fluids, Insulin, Vitamins, Evaluate │
│ High AG Acidosis │ MUDPILES CAT │ All causes of HAGMA │
│ Hyperkalemia Tx │ C BIG K Drop │ Calcium, Bicarb, Insulin+Gluc… │
│ ECOG Performance │ WACD │ Work, Activity, Care, Disabled │
│ B symptoms │ FLY BY Night │ Fever, wt Loss, night sweats │
│ NHL Types │ DFBMT │ DLBCL, Follicular, Burkitt, Mantle… │
│ Lung Cancer PN │ SCLC=Hormones;SCC=Ca │ Paraneoplastic syndromes │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
MASTER LABELING QUICK CARDS
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ SINGLE-GLANCE DIAGNOSTIC LABELING CARDS ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ AECOPD: [GOLD Grade] - [Mild/Mod/Sev/Life-threat] - [Infective/ ║
║ Non-infective] - [TypeI/TypeII RF] - ABCD[A/B/E] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ASTHMA: Acute [Mild/Mod/Sev/Near-fatal] exacerbation of ║
║ [Intermittent/MP/ModP/SP] Asthma - GINA Step[1-5] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ CAP: CAP - CURB65[__/5] - [Non-severe/Severe] - [Ward/ICU] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ TB: PTB [New/Relapse/Failure] - Smear[+/-] - [DS/MDR/XDR] ± ║
║ EPTB [site] - Complications [cavitation/miliary/bleeding] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ PE: Acute PE - [Massive/Submassive-H/Submassive-L/Low-risk] - ║
║ Wells[__] - sPESI[__] - [Provoked/Unprovoked] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ HF: [Acute Decompensated/Chronic] HF [HFrEF EF__%/HFpEF] - ║
║ NYHA[I-IV] - Stage[A-D] - Etiology[___] - Precipitant[___]║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ SHOCK: [Distributive-Septic/Cardiogenic/Hypovolemic/Obstructive] ║
║ Shock - Lactate[__] - MAP[__] - Source/Cause[___] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ DCLD: DCLD CTP[A/B/C __pts] MELD[__] - Etiology[HBV/HCV/Alc] ║
║ Decompensation:[Ascites Gr__/SBP/HE Gr__/HRS/Bleed] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ALF: ALF [Hyperacute/Acute/Subacute] - Cause[___] - ║
║ KCC[Met/Not met] - HE Grade[__] - MELD[__] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ STROKE: [Ischemic TOAST/ICH Score/SAH H-H Grade] - Territory ║
║ [TACI/PACI/LACI/POCI] - NIHSS[__] - Complications[___] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ MENING: [Bacterial/Viral/TB/Fungal] Meningitis - Organism[___] - ║
║ MRC[1/2/3 for TB] - CSF[PMN/Prot/Gluc/ADA] - Complic[___]║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ SEPSIS: Sepsis [Source:___] SOFA[__] / Septic Shock [MAP_/Lact_] ║
║ - Organisms[___] - MODS Organs[list] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ AKI: AKI KDIGO Stage[1/2/3] - [Pre/Intrinsic-ATN/AIN/Post] - ║
║ On CKD Stage[__] - RRT[Indicated/Not] - Cause[___] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ DKA: DKA [Mild/Moderate/Severe] pH[__] HCO3[__] AG[__] - ║
║ Precipitant[5I:___] - Complications[K+/Cerebral edema] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ IBD: [CD/UC] Location[Montreal L or E] Activity[Mild/Mod/Sev] ║
║ Behavior[B1/B2/B3 for CD] - Complications[___] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ LYMPHOMA: [HL/NHL type] - Ann Arbor Stage[I-IV][A/B][E/S/X] - ║
║ IPI[for NHL 0-5] - ECOG[0-4] ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
CRITICAL NUMBERS TO MEMORIZE
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ THE MOST IMPORTANT NUMBERS IN MEDICINE ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════╦═══════════════════════════════════════╣
║ FEV1/FVC <0.70 ║ COPD definition (obstructive pattern)║
║ FEV1 <30% ║ GOLD Grade 4 (Very Severe COPD) ║
║ PaO2/FiO2 <300/200/100 ║ ARDS Mild/Moderate/Severe (Berlin) ║
║ CURB-65 ≥3 ║ Hospitalize; ≥4 = consider ICU ║
║ SpO2 target in COPD ║ 88-92% (NOT >94%) ║
║ PMN ≥250/mm³ ║ SBP diagnosis ║
║ SAAG ≥1.1 g/dL ║ Portal hypertension ║
║ ADA >40 U/L ║ TB peritonitis, pleural TB ║
║ SOFA ≥2 ║ Sepsis (organ dysfunction) ║
║ Lactate >2 + vasopressors ║ Septic shock ║
║ MAP target ║ ≥65 mmHg in septic shock ║
║ Creat increase ≥0.3 mg/dL ║ AKI Stage 1 (KDIGO) ║
║ pH <7.30 alone ║ ALF: list for transplant (paracet.) ║
║ INR >6.5 ║ ALF: list for transplant (non-parac.)║
║ MELD ≥15 ║ Benefit from transplant listing ║
║ Wells >4 ║ PE likely; go to CTPA directly ║
║ NIHSS >20 ║ Severe stroke ║
║ DKA: pH <7.00 ║ Severe DKA (HDU/ICU) ║
║ DKA: K+ <3.5 ║ HOLD insulin; give K first ║
║ Colon >6cm + systemic toxicity ║ Toxic megacolon (surgical) ║
║ CD4 <100/µL ║ Cryptococcal meningitis risk (HIV) ║
║ CD4 <50/µL ║ CMV retinitis/encephalitis risk ║
║ sPESI = 0 ║ Low-risk PE; consider early DC ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════╩═══════════════════════════════════════╝
SOURCES: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 21st Ed. | Davidson's Principles & Practice of Medicine 23rd Ed. | Goldman-Cecil Medicine (SOFA table, direct text) | GOLD Guidelines 2024 | GINA 2024 | Sepsis-3 Singer et al. JAMA 2016 | KDIGO AKI 2012 | ESC Heart Failure 2021 | ESC PE 2019 | ADA Standards of Care 2024 | WHO TB Guidelines 2022 | EASL Guidelines: Decompensated Cirrhosis | IDSA/ATS CAP Guidelines | O'Grady KCC for ALF | Ann Arbor/Cotswolds Staging | AJCC TNM 8th Edition