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Midwife Licensure Exam Fundamentals of Care & the Health-Care Process — Basic Oxygenation, Elimination & NutritionMemory Anchors

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If you keep missing Basic Oxygenation, Elimination & Nutrition items on your Midwife Licensure Exam mocks despite having read the notes, the gap is usually recall speed. Memory anchors close that gap. These Basic Oxygenation, Elimination & Nutrition mnemonics have been tuned to the kinds of triggers Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) — Board of Midwifery builds into Midwife Licensure Exam Fundamentals of Care & the Health-Care Process questions.

Exam context

On the Midwife Licensure Exam 2026, the Fundamentals of Care & the Health-Care Process subtest carries a "Core" weight in Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) — Board of Midwifery's pattern. Basic Oxygenation, Elimination & Nutrition lands at position 7th out of 8 in the standard review order. Target score is 75% weighted average, and roughly a meaningful share of items come from Fundamentals of Care & the Health-Care Process on a typical Midwife Licensure Exam paper.

Basic Oxygenation, Elimination & Nutrition - Memory Anchors

Memory techniques are not just tricks — they are scientifically proven tools that help your brain encode, store, and retrieve information more efficiently. Research shows that vivid, emotionally engaging, or story-based memories are stored more deeply in the brain than plain facts. For NLE review, this is critical: when you are under exam pressure, your brain needs strong mental hooks to pull out the right answer quickly. This collection uses mnemonics, analogies, micro-stories, visual associations, and rhymes to anchor every key concept from Basic Oxygenation, Elimination, and Nutrition. Each anchor is designed to be culturally familiar, clinically accurate, and — most importantly — unforgettable. Think of each anchor as a 'retrieval rope' that you can grab during the exam to pull up the exact fact you need. The more vivid and personal the anchor feels, the stronger it sticks. Read through each one slowly, picture the story or image clearly in your mind, and test yourself using the recall triggers. With consistent use, these anchors will make answering NLE items on these topics feel almost automatic.

Anchors

Topic

Oxygenation

Concept

Normal SpO₂ is 95–100%; SpO₂ < 90% = hypoxemia

Anchor Id

Difficulty

easy

Memory Aid

Think of a school grading system: 95–100 is the passing grade for oxygen saturation — anything below 90 is a FAILING score for your lungs. In Filipino schools, a grade of 90 is the honor roll cut-off. Below that? You need immediate academic intervention — just like below 90% SpO₂ needs immediate oxygen intervention!

Anchor Type

chunking

Why It Works

Chunking numbers to a familiar Filipino school grading system creates an emotional and contextual association that is easy to recall under pressure.

Example Usage

Exam question asks: 'At what SpO₂ level does hypoxemia occur?' You think: 'Below the honor roll cut-off = below 90% = hypoxemia.'

Recall Trigger

Think: 'Honor roll cut-off = 90' → SpO₂ below 90 = patient needs help NOW

Topic

Oxygenation

Concept

Earliest sign of hypoxia is restlessness; cyanosis is a LATE sign

Anchor Id

Difficulty

easy

Memory Aid

Imagine a patient named Resto (Restless). When oxygen is running low, Resto is the FIRST to show up — pacing, anxious, cannot stay still. Cyanosis (Cyan, Resto's slow older brother) arrives LAST — only after things have gotten really bad. In any emergency, Resto always comes before Cyan. So when you see a patient who cannot stay still for no apparent reason — think HYPOXIA. Do not wait for Cyan to show up.

Anchor Type

micro_story

Why It Works

Personifying the signs as characters in a story (Resto and Cyan) creates a vivid narrative sequence that is much easier to recall than a plain list.

Example Usage

Question: 'Which is the earliest sign of hypoxia?' You think: 'Resto comes first — restlessness.' Cyanosis is a late sign, so it would NOT be the correct answer for earliest.

Recall Trigger

Think of 'Resto' (restlessness) → first to arrive in hypoxia; 'Cyan' (cyanosis) → last to arrive

Topic

Oxygenation

Concept

Position for dyspnea: High-Fowler's or orthopneic position

Anchor Id

Difficulty

easy

Memory Aid

Think of a person with asthma during a Habagat storm — the worst thing you can do is make them lie flat. What do they naturally do? They sit up and lean forward, like they are hunching over a pamaypay (hand fan). This is EXACTLY the orthopneic position — patient sits, leans forward, rests arms on an overbed table. It is what the body NATURALLY does when it cannot breathe. High-Fowler's (45–90°) is the hospital version of this natural response. Always remember: 'Dyspneic patient → sit them up, let them lean.'

Anchor Type

analogy

Why It Works

Using a familiar local weather scenario (Habagat/monsoon season) and a common Filipino object (pamaypay) makes the positioning visually and culturally memorable.

Example Usage

Question: 'What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient with dyspnea?' You picture the hunching-over-pamaypay image → High-Fowler's or orthopneic position.

Recall Trigger

Imagine a person hunching over a pamaypay during a storm → orthopneic/High-Fowler's position

Topic

Oxygenation

Concept

Oxygen delivery devices and flow rates: Nasal cannula 1–6 L/min (24–44%), Simple mask 5–10 L/min (40–60%), Non-rebreather up to 80–95%

Anchor Id

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

Use the acronym 'NSN — Numbers Start Normal': N = Nasal cannula (1–6 L/min, 24–44%); S = Simple mask (5–10 L/min, 40–60%); N = Non-rebreather (10–15 L/min, up to 95%). Also remember: each device ESCALATES — when one is not enough, you go UP to the next. Think of it like a jeepney route: Nasal cannula is the first stop (low), Simple mask is the middle, Non-rebreather is the last stop (highest). Venturi mask is the SPECIAL express jeepney — it goes precisely where ordered, preferred for COPD because it delivers a fixed, controlled FiO₂.

Anchor Type

acronym

Why It Works

The jeepney route analogy is culturally familiar to Filipino students and creates a spatial/sequential mental map of oxygen device escalation.

Example Usage

Question: 'Which oxygen device is appropriate for a COPD patient needing controlled FiO₂?' You recall the Venturi is the 'special express' for precise delivery → answer: Venturi mask.

Recall Trigger

Picture a jeepney route with three stops escalating in oxygen concentration — Nasal → Simple → Non-rebreather; Venturi is the special express

Topic

Oxygenation

Concept

Venturi mask is preferred for COPD (delivers precise/fixed FiO₂)

Anchor Id

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

A COPD patient's respiratory drive is like a very fragile thermostat — it is set low and responds to LOW oxygen (hypoxic drive), not CO₂ like normal people. If you blast too much oxygen, you break the thermostat and the patient stops breathing hard enough. The Venturi mask is like a precise airconditioner remote — it sets the EXACT temperature (FiO₂) you want, no more, no less. The target SpO₂ for COPD is 88–92% — just enough to keep the thermostat working. Never blast full oxygen at a COPD patient; always use the Venturi remote.

Anchor Type

analogy

Why It Works

The airconditioner/thermostat analogy is relatable in the Philippine context and makes the physiological concept of hypoxic drive intuitive.

Example Usage

Question: 'What oxygen device is safest for a COPD patient?' Recall the aircon thermostat → Venturi mask; target SpO₂ 88–92%.

Recall Trigger

COPD = fragile thermostat → needs the Venturi aircon remote → target SpO₂ 88–92%

Topic

Oxygenation

Concept

Suctioning: Hyperoxygenate before, suction on withdrawal only, limit to 10–15 seconds

Anchor Id

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

Remember 'HWL' = 'Hyperoxy-Withdraw-Limit': H = Hyperoxygenate the patient BEFORE suctioning (give 100% O₂ for 30–60 sec); W = apply suction only on Withdrawal (insert without suction, pull back with suction); L = Limit each pass to 10–15 seconds (like holding your breath — count 'isa, dalawa... hanggang labinlima'). Think of it as diving underwater: you take a big breath FIRST (H), you do your work on the way UP (W), and you only stay down for 15 seconds max (L).

Anchor Type

acronym

Why It Works

The HWL acronym plus the underwater diving analogy (relatable for Filipino students near coastal areas) makes the three suctioning rules memorable and logically connected.

Example Usage

Question: 'When should suction be applied during suctioning?' Recall HWL → W = Withdrawal only; suction is applied only when pulling the catheter back.

Recall Trigger

Think 'HWL' — Hyperoxy, Withdraw, Limit; picture diving underwater and counting 'isa hanggang labinlima'

Topic

Bowel Elimination

Concept

Enema position: Left lateral (Sims') position; insert 7–10 cm in adults

Anchor Id

Difficulty

easy

Memory Aid

Imagine the colon is a lazy S-shaped river. To pour water into this river most effectively, you need to line up with its natural curve. The colon descends on the LEFT side of the body (descending colon → sigmoid → rectum). So you place the patient on their LEFT side — this is Sims' position — so gravity helps the water flow WITH the river's natural direction. The tube goes in about 7–10 cm (roughly the width of your palm) — deep enough to get past the sphincter but not so deep you cause damage. Remember: 'Left is right for enemas.'

Anchor Type

micro_story

Why It Works

The river analogy makes the physiological reason for positioning intuitive, and the phrase 'Left is right for enemas' is a contradictory-sounding phrase that the brain remembers precisely because it seems paradoxical.

Example Usage

Question: 'What position do you place a patient for an enema?' Recall 'left is right for enemas' → left lateral (Sims') position.

Recall Trigger

'Left is right for enemas' → Sims' position; colon curves down the left side

Topic

Bowel Elimination

Concept

Stoma assessment: Healthy stoma is pink/red and moist; dusky/dark = ischemia = report immediately

Anchor Id

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

Visualize a freshly cut watermelon at a Filipino fiesta — the inside is bright red and moist. That is a HEALTHY stoma. Now imagine the same watermelon left in the sun for too long — it turns dark, dry, and shriveled. That is an ISCHEMIC stoma. The moment a stoma looks like an overripe, darkened watermelon slice instead of a fresh one, it is a MEDICAL EMERGENCY — report it immediately. Engrave this image: bright red, moist = good; dusky dark = danger.

Anchor Type

visual_association

Why It Works

Using a familiar Filipino party food (watermelon at a fiesta) creates a strong visual and culturally relevant memory anchor for stoma color assessment.

Example Usage

Question: 'A patient's stoma appears dusky purple-brown. What is the nurse's priority action?' Recall dark watermelon = ischemia → report immediately to the physician.

Recall Trigger

Picture watermelon at a fiesta: fresh red = healthy stoma; dark and shriveled = ischemia → report NOW

Topic

Urinary Elimination

Concept

Urinary output: normal ~1,500 mL/day; minimum acceptable = 30 mL/hour; report if <30 mL/hr

Anchor Id

Difficulty

easy

Memory Aid

The magic number for urine is 30-30: 30 mL per HOUR is the minimum acceptable. If it drops below 30, you report in 30 seconds (figuratively — meaning immediately). Think of it this way: the kidneys need good blood flow to make urine. If a patient is making less than 30 mL/hr, the kidneys are not being perfused well — it could mean the patient is going into shock or acute kidney injury. 'Thirty is the floor — below it, you open the door (and call the doctor).'

Anchor Type

chunking

Why It Works

The rhyme '30 is the floor — below it, open the door' creates a phonetic anchor for the critical value plus the action required.

Example Usage

Question: 'A post-op patient's urine output for the past 2 hours is 45 mL total. What should the nurse do?' Calculate: 45/2 = 22.5 mL/hr → below 30 → recall '30 is the floor' → report immediately.

Recall Trigger

'30 is the floor' → 30 mL/hr minimum; below 30 = report immediately

Topic

Urinary Elimination

Concept

Urinary catheter insertion: inflate balloon ONLY after urine flows; keep drainage bag BELOW bladder level

Anchor Id

A10

Difficulty

easy

Memory Aid

Imagine you are inflating a balloon (like at a Filipino birthday party). But there is a rule: you only blow up this balloon AFTER you see yellow (urine) come out — because yellow means you are safely inside the bladder, not in the urethra. If you inflate too early (before urine flows), you are like inflating a balloon inside a narrow hallway — you will cause trauma and pain. And the drainage bag? Always keep it BELOW the bladder — gravity is your helper. If you raise the bag above the bladder level, urine flows BACK in, bringing bacteria with it → hello, CAUTI!

Anchor Type

micro_story

Why It Works

The birthday balloon story is vivid, culturally familiar, and physically intuitive — making the two safety rules (balloon timing and bag position) memorable through narrative.

Example Usage

Question: 'When should the balloon of a Foley catheter be inflated?' Recall birthday balloon rule → only inflate AFTER urine flows to confirm bladder placement.

Recall Trigger

Birthday balloon rule: only inflate AFTER seeing yellow; drainage bag = always lower than the bladder

Topic

Enteral Tube Feeding

Concept

Tube feeding: verify placement with gastric pH ≤5 (bedside); X-ray is gold standard after initial insertion

Anchor Id

A11

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

Checking tube placement before every feeding is like checking if your Tupperware is sealed before pouring in soup — you do NOT want to pour into the wrong container. At the bedside, you check the gastric aspirate: if the pH is 5 or less (acidic, like vinegar or suka), you are in the STOMACH — safe to feed. If the pH is higher (more neutral or alkaline), it may be in the lungs or esophagus — STOP and recheck. The gold standard X-ray is like the official seal of approval that confirms the tube is correct before the very first use.

Anchor Type

analogy

Why It Works

The suka (vinegar) analogy connects gastric acidity to a familiar Filipino kitchen item, making the pH benchmark tangible and memorable.

Example Usage

Question: 'What is the recommended bedside method to verify NGT placement before feeding?' Recall suka = acidic stomach → check gastric aspirate pH ≤5; X-ray is gold standard for initial insertion.

Recall Trigger

Suka (vinegar) = acidic = stomach = safe; pH ≤5 = stomach placement confirmed; X-ray = gold standard first time

Topic

Enteral Tube Feeding

Concept

Head of bed at 30–45° during and for 30–60 minutes after tube feeding to prevent aspiration

Anchor Id

A12

Difficulty

easy

Memory Aid

Remember this rhyme: 'Thirty to forty-five keeps aspiration alive — NO! Keep it UP so the food won't drive into the lungs and make the patient cry!' Simplified version: 'Head UP, 30 to 45, keeps the patient alive.' The HOB should be elevated 30–45° DURING feeding AND for 30–60 minutes AFTER. Picture it like eating at a Jollibee table — you would never eat lying completely flat. The patient's head should always be elevated during and after tube feeding.

Anchor Type

rhyme

Why It Works

The rhyme plus the Jollibee (familiar fast food chain) visual creates a dual-coded memory: auditory (rhyme) and visual (eating upright at a fast food resto).

Example Usage

Question: 'What position should a patient receiving continuous tube feeding be maintained in?' Recall 'Head UP at Jollibee' → HOB 30–45° to prevent aspiration.

Recall Trigger

'Head UP at Jollibee' → HOB 30–45° during and 30–60 min after tube feeding

Topic

Nasogastric Tube Insertion

Concept

NGT insertion: measure using NEX method (Nose to Earlobe to Xiphoid process)

Anchor Id

A13

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

NEX = Nose-Ear-Xiphoid. To remember the order: think 'NEX time you insert a tube, measure from the top of the face to the bottom of the chest.' N = Nose (start); E = Earlobe (go around the ear); X = Xiphoid process (end point at the bottom of the sternum). You mark this point on the tube — this is how deep the tube goes. Bonus: remember to position patient in High-Fowler's and have them flex their chin to chest (tuck the chin) and swallow — chin down like they are saying 'hindi' (no) — to direct the tube into the esophagus, not the airway.

Anchor Type

acronym

Why It Works

The NEX acronym is inherently mnemonic, and the 'hindi' chin-tuck image uses a Filipino word to create a vivid, culturally embedded visual cue.

Example Usage

Question: 'How do you measure the length of an NGT before insertion?' Recall NEX → Nose to Earlobe to Xiphoid process; mark the tube at that length.

Recall Trigger

NEX = Nose-Earlobe-Xiphoid; chin tuck = 'hindi' movement to prevent airway insertion

Topic

Fluid Intake and Output

Concept

Daily weight is the most accurate fluid status indicator (1 kg ≈ 1 liter of fluid)

Anchor Id

A14

Difficulty

easy

Memory Aid

Think of the human body as a water-filled buko (coconut). Every morning, the nurse weighs the buko at the same time, on the same scale, in the same clothes. If the buko suddenly weighs 1 kg more today than yesterday — that is 1 LITER of extra fluid inside the body. You cannot count every drop that goes in and out perfectly, but you cannot fake weight. This is why daily weight is the MOST ACCURATE fluid status monitor. Remember: 'Same time, same scale, same clothes — that is how the nurse knows.'

Anchor Type

analogy

Why It Works

The buko (coconut water) analogy is culturally Filipino and makes the concept of fluid = weight change very concrete and visual.

Example Usage

Question: 'What is the most accurate method for assessing fluid balance?' Recall daily weight (same time, same scale) → 1 kg = 1 L. Answer: daily weight.

Recall Trigger

Buko weight check every morning: 1 kg gained = 1 L of extra fluid; same time, same scale, same clothes

Topic

Wound Care and Nutrition

Concept

Wound healing nutrients: Protein, Vitamin C, and Zinc are essential

Anchor Id

A15

Difficulty

easy

Memory Aid

Remember 'PVZ' — Protein, Vitamin C (V for Vitamin), Zinc — or think of it as 'PVZ = Plants vs. Zombies' where the PLANTS (nutrients) FIGHT the ZOMBIES (wound infection and poor healing). Protein rebuilds tissue (the Plants that form the structure); Vitamin C supports collagen synthesis (the water that powers the Plants); Zinc boosts immune function and enzymatic repair (the sun energy). Without PVZ, the zombies (infection, dehiscence) win. For Filipino dietary context: Protein = itlog at isda, Vitamin C = calamansi, Zinc = seafood/tahong.

Anchor Type

acronym

Why It Works

The Plants vs. Zombies reference is a well-known game in the Philippines and among the NLE candidate age group — creating an instantly recognizable, fun anchor. Local food examples add cultural relevance.

Example Usage

Question: 'Which nutrients are most essential to promote wound healing?' Recall PVZ → Protein, Vitamin C, Zinc.

Recall Trigger

PVZ = Plants vs. Zombies = Protein + Vitamin C + Zinc → essential for wound healing

Topic

Wound Care

Concept

Evisceration: cover with sterile saline-moistened dressing, low-Fowler's with knees flexed, NPO, notify surgeon IMMEDIATELY

Anchor Id

A16

Difficulty

hard

Memory Aid

Imagine you are a nurse and suddenly a post-op patient's wound opens and abdominal organs are exposed. This is EVISCERATION — a surgical emergency. Think of it like finding a very precious, fragile item (the organs) exposed outside of its container. Your immediate steps: COVER it with a clean, WET (sterile saline-soaked) cloth — never push it back in, never use dry gauze (dry gauze sticks to tissue). LOWER the patient gently into low-Fowler's with knees BENT (like a relaxed sleeping position — to reduce abdominal tension). Make them NPO. CALL the surgeon STAT. The mantra: 'WET, LOW, BENT, CALL.'

Anchor Type

micro_story

Why It Works

The 4-word mantra 'WET, LOW, BENT, CALL' creates a concise action sequence that is easy to recall in a high-stress exam scenario or clinical situation.

Example Usage

Question: 'A patient's surgical wound has dehisced with organ protrusion. What are the priority nursing actions?' Recall 'WET, LOW, BENT, CALL' → sterile saline dressing, low-Fowler's knees bent, NPO, notify surgeon.

Recall Trigger

'WET, LOW, BENT, CALL' → evisceration management: wet sterile dressing, low-Fowler's with knees flexed, NPO, notify surgeon

Topic

Wound Care

Concept

Wound cleaning direction: clean to dirty, or from incision outward (center to periphery)

Anchor Id

A17

Difficulty

easy

Memory Aid

Think of cleaning your bangko (wooden bench) at home. You always wipe from the CLEAN middle part toward the DIRTY edges — you never wipe from the dirty edge back to the clean center, or you just spread the dirt everywhere. Same with wound cleaning: start at the incision (cleanest area), wipe outward in a single stroke, then discard the gauze. Never go back. This prevents contaminating the clean wound bed with bacteria from the surrounding skin.

Anchor Type

analogy

Why It Works

The familiar Filipino household activity (cleaning a bangko) makes an abstract asepsis principle physical and intuitive.

Example Usage

Question: 'When cleaning a surgical wound, what is the correct direction?' Recall bangko cleaning → clean to dirty, center to periphery, outward from the incision.

Recall Trigger

Cleaning the bangko: wipe from clean center to dirty edges → wound cleaning from incision outward

Topic

Wound Care

Concept

Phases of wound healing: Hemostasis → Inflammatory → Proliferative → Maturation

Anchor Id

A18

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

Remember 'HIPM' — say it as 'HIP-M' like 'I'm hip!' H = Hemostasis (bleeding stops, clot forms); I = Inflammatory (redness, warmth, swelling — immune cells arrive); P = Proliferative (granulation tissue forms — the pink, bumpy new tissue); M = Maturation/Remodeling (scar forms and strengthens). Think: 'Be HIP, Madam!' — the 4 phases in order. Or picture a construction site: H = the accident happened and they stop the damage (hemostasis); I = the inspector arrives and assesses (inflammatory); P = the workers build the structure (proliferative); M = the interior designer finishes and polishes (maturation).

Anchor Type

acronym

Why It Works

The HIPM acronym provides a phonetic hook, and the construction site analogy maps each abstract phase to a concrete, visual activity.

Example Usage

Question: 'During which phase of wound healing does granulation tissue form?' Recall HIPM → P = Proliferative phase.

Recall Trigger

'Be HIP-M!' → Hemostasis, Inflammatory, Proliferative, Maturation — the 4 phases of wound healing

Topic

Bowel Elimination

Concept

Diarrhea management in children (Philippine DOH): ORS + Zinc

Anchor Id

A19

Difficulty

easy

Memory Aid

Picture the DOH health center wall — there is always a poster of a small child drinking from a plastic cup (ORS) and beside it, a small zinc tablet. The DOH and WHO protocol for acute pediatric diarrhea in the Philippines is ORS (oral rehydration solution) + Zinc supplementation for 10–14 days. ORS replaces the fluid and electrolytes lost; Zinc shortens the duration of diarrhea and prevents recurrence. In barangay health centers all over the Philippines, these are the two weapons against child diarrhea. Remember: 'DOH + child diarrhea = ORS and Zinc, always two together.'

Anchor Type

visual_association

Why It Works

Anchoring the fact to a familiar Philippine health center poster and the DOH context creates an institutional memory trigger relevant to the Philippine nursing practice context.

Example Usage

Question: 'Per DOH guidelines, what is the management of acute diarrhea in children?' Recall the health center poster → ORS + Zinc.

Recall Trigger

DOH health center poster: child + cup (ORS) + zinc tablet → Philippine protocol for pediatric diarrhea

Topic

Fluid Intake and Output

Concept

Fluid volume deficit (dehydration) vs. fluid volume overload — key signs

Anchor Id

A20

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

Imagine TWO patients side by side: Patient TUYOT (dehydration — 'tuyot' means dry in Filipino): dry lips, sunken eyes, poor skin turgor (skin tents), dark concentrated urine, fast heartbeat (tachycardia), and low blood pressure. Patient LAPOG (overloaded — 'lapog' means soggy/waterlogged in some Filipino dialects): puffy face, swollen legs (edema), neck veins bulging (JVD), crackling sounds in the lungs (crackles), gained weight, and high blood pressure. Tuyot = dry and fast. Lapog = swollen and full. Post these two characters in your mind as opposite extremes.

Anchor Type

visual_association

Why It Works

Using Filipino language descriptors (tuyot and lapog) to name the two patients creates strong linguistic anchors that are culturally embedded and emotionally vivid.

Example Usage

Question: 'Which finding indicates fluid volume overload?' Recall Lapog → edema, crackles, JVD, hypertension, weight gain.

Recall Trigger

Tuyot = dehydration (dry, tachycardic, hypotensive); Lapog = fluid overload (edematous, crackles, hypertensive, JVD)

Revision Game

Restlessness (earliest sign of hypoxia)

Clue

I am the first sign your patient is not getting enough oxygen — I show up before the skin turns blue. Nurses should NEVER dismiss me as just nervousness. Who am I?

Memory Link

A2 — Micro-story about Resto (Restlessness) arriving before Cyan (Cyanosis)

30 mL/hour (minimum acceptable urine output)

Clue

I am the magic number for urine output. If hourly output drops below me, the nurse must call the doctor right away. What number am I?

Memory Link

A9 — '30 is the floor — below it, open the door'

pH ≤5 (gastric aspirate pH confirming NGT placement in stomach)

Clue

I am like suka (vinegar) — acidic, sharp, and a sign you are in the right place. If a gastric aspirate tests like me, it means the NGT is safely in the stomach. What pH range am I?

Memory Link

A11 — Suka (vinegar) analogy for gastric acidity

Venturi mask; target SpO₂ 88–92% for COPD

Clue

I am the special express jeepney of oxygen delivery — I carry exactly the right amount of oxygen for COPD patients, not too much and not too little. What device am I, and what SpO₂ range is my target?

Memory Link

A5 — Venturi mask as the special express jeepney; fragile thermostat analogy for COPD

WET, LOW, BENT, CALL (evisceration management)

Clue

I am the four-word emergency mantra for when a surgical patient's organs are exposed through their wound. Nurses shout me (internally) to remember what to do. What am I?

Memory Link

A16 — Evisceration teleserye micro-story with the WET-LOW-BENT-CALL mantra

Protein, Vitamin C, and Zinc (PVZ — wound healing nutrients)

Clue

I am the trio of nutrients every healing wound desperately needs. Without me, granulation tissue cannot form, collagen cannot strengthen, and infection wins. In Plants vs. Zombies, I am the Plants. Who are we?

Memory Link

A15 — PVZ (Plants vs. Zombies) acronym for wound healing nutrients

Daily weight (1 kg change = approximately 1 liter of fluid change)

Clue

I am the most accurate way to monitor fluid status in a patient with heart failure — more accurate than counting every drop in and out. I am done every morning, on the same scale, in similar clothing. What am I?

Memory Link

A14 — Buko (coconut) analogy for daily weight as fluid status indicator

Pink or red (and moist) — healthy stoma color

Clue

I describe a healthy ostomy stoma — the color that means good blood supply. My opposite (dusky or dark) is a sign of ischemia that must be reported immediately. What color am I?

Memory Link

A8 — Fresh watermelon at a Filipino fiesta = healthy stoma; dark overripe watermelon = ischemia

Before every NGT insertion. Mark the tube at the measured length. After insertion, confirm placement with gastric aspirate pH ≤5 and/or X-ray (gold standard for initial insertion).

What Each Part Means

N = tip of the Nose (starting point); E = Earlobe (midpoint, going around the face); X = Xiphoid process (endpoint at the base of the sternum). This external measurement approximates the distance from the naris to the stomach, ensuring the tube tip rests in the gastric body.

Sterile (surgical aseptic) technique throughout
Confirm bladder placement: inflate balloon ONLY after urine flows
Secure catheter to prevent tension/pulling
Keep drainage bag BELOW bladder level at all times
Maintain closed drainage system
Remove catheter as early as clinically possible (duration = biggest CAUTI risk)

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Midwife Licensure Exam Fundamentals of Care & the Health-Care Process — Basic Oxygenation, Elimination & NutritionMemory Anchors

Exam context

Basic Oxygenation, Elimination & Nutrition - Memory Anchors

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