LABORATORY DIAGNOSTIC MNEMONICS

Question 1

What does CRP stand for in inflammation markers?

Answer 1

C-REACTIVE

CRP rises in hours, while ESR rises in days. Alternative mnemonic: ‘CRP = Comes Rapidly Positive’.

Question 2

What are the acute-phase proteins represented by the mnemonic ‘FISH-CA’?

Answer 2

• Fibrinogen
• IL-6
• Serum amyloid A
• Haptoglobin
• CRP
• Alpha-1 antitrypsin

These proteins are elevated during inflammation.

Question 3

What is the ‘5-15-30 Rule’ related to?

Answer 3

ANA titers in healthy people

1:160 → 5% healthy, 1:80 → 15%, 1:40 → 30%.

Question 4

What do the letters in ‘SHiNE’ represent in ANA patterns?

Answer 4

• S: Speckled (SS-A/B)
• H: Homogeneous (SLE)
• N: Nucleolar (Scleroderma)
• E: Endomysium (Celiac)

These patterns help identify specific autoimmune diseases.

Question 5

What does ‘DNA = Detects Nephritis Activity’ refer to?

Answer 5

Anti-dsDNA

This antibody is associated with lupus nephritis.

Question 6

What do the terms ‘C-PR3’ and ‘P-MPO’ in ANCA patterns stand for?

Answer 6

• C-ANCA = Cytoplasmic (PR3) → Granulomatosis
• P-ANCA = Perinuclear (MPO) → Microscopic Polyangiitis

These patterns are used to diagnose specific types of vasculitis.

Question 7

What diseases are represented by the mnemonic ‘GEM’ in ANCA diseases?

Answer 7

• Granulomatosis
• Eosinophilic GPA
• Microscopic Polyangiitis

These diseases are associated with ANCA positivity.

Question 8

What does the mnemonic ‘SLICED’ refer to in low complement conditions?

Answer 8

• S: SLE
• L: Liver disease
• I: Infections
• C: Cryoglobulinemia
• E: Endocarditis
• D: DIC

These conditions can lead to low complement levels.

Question 9

What does ‘CH50 = 0’ indicate?

Answer 9

Zero = Hereditary Hero

A CH50 test result of zero suggests a hereditary complement deficiency.

Question 10

What does the mnemonic ‘CCP = Certain Confirmation for RA’ refer to?

Answer 10

Anti-CCP

This antibody is a specific marker for rheumatoid arthritis.

Question 11

What does ‘RF is CHRONIC’ refer to in relation to rheumatoid factor?

Answer 11

• C: Chronic disease
• H: Hepatitis
• R: RA
• O: Other rheumatic
• N: Neoplasia
• I: Infection
• C: Cryoglobulinemia

This indicates the various conditions associated with a positive rheumatoid factor.

Question 12

What does the ‘50-100 Rule’ refer to in ferritin interpretation?

Answer 12

• <50 = Iron deficiency
• > 100 = No deficiency
• 50-100 = Gray zone

This rule helps in diagnosing iron deficiency anemia.

Question 13

What does the mnemonic ‘VIM-PAC’ represent for ESR >100?

Answer 13

• V: Vasculitis
• I: Infection
• M: Malignancy
• P: Polymyalgia
• A: Autoimmune
• C: Collagen disorders

These are potential causes of a significantly elevated ESR.

Question 14

What does ‘CRP >100 → Bacterial Sprint’ signify?

Answer 14

CRP >100

This indicates a high likelihood of bacterial infection.

Question 15

What does ‘LE = Leukocyte Eats (nucleus)’ refer to?

Answer 15

LE cells

LE cells are indicative of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Question 16

What does the mnemonic ‘CLASSIC’ refer to in complement activation?

Answer 16

• C: C1q
• L: Low C3/C4
• A: Autoimmune
• S: SLE
• S: Sepsis
• I: Immune complexes
• C: CH50

This mnemonic summarizes key factors involved in classic complement pathway activation.

Question 17

What does ‘12 Biomarkers → Score 1-100’ refer to?

Answer 17

Vectra-DA

This is a multi-biomarker test used in rheumatoid arthritis management.