Respiratory Mnemonics

The best resp mnemonics for medical student finals, OSCEs and MRCP

Causes of upper zone pulmonary fibrosis (A TEA SHOP)

• ABPA
• TB
• Extrinsic allergic alveolitis
• Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Sarcoidosis
• Histiocytosis
• Occupational (silicosis, berylliosis)
• Pneumoconiosis (coal-worker’s)

Aspiration of foreign body (which bronchus is more vertical)

• Inhale a bite, goes down right

Features of a life-threatening asthma attack (A CHEST)

• Arrhythmia/ Altered conscious level
• Cyanosis, PaCO2 normal
• Hypotension, Hypoxia (PaO2<8kPa, SpO2 <92%)
• Exhaustion
• Silent chest
• Threatening PEF < 33% best or predicted (in those >5yrs old)