Mnemonics to remember differential diagnoses are usually cumbersome, difficult to remember, and unnecessary. However, sometimes one stands above the crowd.
Sometimes, one is so perfect that the world around you seems brighter… the greens greener… the sky bluer… your lunch tastier…
Feel your mental status exam improve as I present to you “IS THIS PP RED?” for hematuria.
The best part about the mnemonic? – The two most important etiologies are first!
- I – Infection (UTI, urethritis, etc)
- S – Stones
- T – Tumour (bladder, renal), Tuberculosis
- H – Hemolytics uremic syndrome, Henoch-Schonlein Purpura
- I – Inflammation (irritation, radiation cystitis, insertion of foreign body)
- S – Streptococcus glomerulonephritis, SLE, sickle cell
- P – Prostatitis (in pediatrics, posterior urethral valves)
- P – Pseudohematuria (menses, beets, rectal bleed, urate crystals in babies)
- R – Renal vein thrombosis
- E – Exercise-induced
- D – Drugs (contrast, cyclophosphamide)
This post was copyedited by Farzan Ansari (@AnsariFarzan_)
Reviewing with the staff #1
Dr. Stewart reviewed the article and approved its content.
Emily Stewart
Dr. Stewart is an Emergency Physician at Kelowna General Hospital
Reviewing with the staff #2
Dr. Ho reviewed the article and approved its content.
Matthew Ho
Dr. Ho is a Urologist at Kelowna General Hospital
Alex Senger
Dr. Senger is a PGY3 Emergency Medicine resident physician in Kelowna, BC.
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