LABOR DAY SALE SAVE 40% NOW!
Medicine (MD/DO)
/
First Aid
/
First Aid for the USMLE Step 2 CK (10th Ed.)
/
Red Blood Cell Disorders

Ace Your First Aid for the USMLE Step 2 CK (10th Ed.) Classes and Exams with Picmonic: #1 Visual Mnemonic Study Tool for Medicine (MD/DO) Students

With Picmonic, facts become pictures. We've taken what the science shows - image mnemonics work - but we've boosted the effectiveness by building and associating memorable characters, interesting audio stories, and built-in quizzing. Whether you're studying for your classes or getting ready for a big exam, we're here to help.

get premium

First Aid for the USMLE Step 2 CK (10th Ed.) | Medicine (MD/DO) School Study Aid

Red Blood Cell Disorders
25 Picmonics to Learn | 55 mins
Anemia Lab Values
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Serum Iron Decreased
Transferrin Increased
Ferritin Decreased
% Transferrin Saturation Decreased
Pregnancy and OCP Use
Serum Iron Normal
Transferrin Increased
Ferritin Normal
% Transferrin Saturation Decreased
Anemia of Chronic Disease
Serum Iron Decreased
Transferrin Decreased
Ferritin Increased
% Transferrin Saturation Decreased or Normal
Hemochromatosis
Serum Iron Increased
Transferrin Decreased
Ferritin Increased
% Transferrin Saturation Increased
picmonic thumbnail
3 mins
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Causes
Malnutrition/Malabsorption
Hemorrhage
Signs
Microcytic, Hypochromic Anemia
Decreased Heme Synthesis
Labs
Decreased Reticulocytes
Decreased Ferritin
Increased Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)
Poikilocytosis
Anisocytosis
Increased Central Pallor
picmonic thumbnail
2 mins
Normocytic Hemolytic Anemia Causes
Intrinsic Hemolytic
Hereditary Spherocytosis
RBC Enzyme Deficiency
Hemoglobin C Defect
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH)
Sickle Cell Anemia
Extrinsic Hemolytic
Autoimmune
Microangiopathic
Mechanical Destruction
Prosthetic Cardiac Valves
Infection
Snake Venom
picmonic thumbnail
2 mins
Normocytic Nonhemolytic Anemia Causes
MCV 80-100
Nonhemolytic
Anemia of Chronic Disease/Inflammation
Aplastic Anemia
Chronic Kidney Disease
Early Iron Deficiency
picmonic thumbnail
1 min
Microcytic Anemia Causes
MCV < 80
Causes
Thalassemias
Chronic Disease or Illness
Lead Toxicity
Late Iron Deficiency
Sideroblastic Anemia
picmonic thumbnail
1 min
Macrocytic Anemia Causes
MCV > 100
Megaloblastic
B12 Deficiency
Folate Deficiency
Orotic Aciduria
Non Megaloblastic
Alcoholism
Liver Disease
Reticulocytosis
picmonic thumbnail
2 mins
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) Deficiency
Deficiency From Isoniazid
Deficiency From Oral Contraceptives
Seizures
Hyperirritability
Peripheral Neuropathy
Sideroblastic Anemia
picmonic thumbnail
3 mins
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Mechanism and Deficiency
Mechanism
Cobalamin
Large reserve pool in the liver
Homocysteine to methionine
Methylmalonyl CoA to succinyl CoA
Deficiency Signs and Symptoms
Macrocytic Megaloblastic Anemia
Hypersegmented Neutrophils
Neurologic defects
Posterior column
Lateral corticospinal tract
Spinocerebellar tract
picmonic thumbnail
5 mins
G6PD Mechanism
Turns NADP+ to NADPH
NADPH Used by Glutathione Reductase
Detoxifies Free Radicals and Peroxides
X-linked Recessive
picmonic thumbnail
2 mins
G6PD Deficiency
X-linked Recessive
Hemolytic Anemia
Inflammatory Response
Fava Beans
Sulfonamides
Primaquine
Anti TB Drugs
Heinz Bodies
Bite Cells
Prevalent Among African Americans due to Increased Malarial Resistance
picmonic thumbnail
2 mins
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH)
Pathophysiology
Defective PIG-A Gene
Deficiency of DAF (Decay Accelerating Factor CD55)
Symptoms
Dark Urine in the Morning
Intravascular Hemolysis
Thrombosis
Diagnosis
Decreased CD55 and CD59
Treatment
RBC Transfusion
Eculizumab
Bone Marrow Transplant is Curative
picmonic thumbnail
3 mins
Hereditary Spherocytosis Disease
Northern Europeans
Mechanisms
Autosomal Dominant
Spectrin/Ankyrin Deficiency
Spherocyte Formation
Hemolytic Anemia
Symptoms
Bilirubin Gallstones
Jaundice
Splenomegaly
picmonic thumbnail
3 mins
Hereditary Spherocytosis Diagnosis & Treatment
Labs
Increased MCHC
Spherocytes
Normocytic Anemia
Diagnosis
Eosin-5-Maleimide (EMA) Binding Test
Osmotic Fragility Test
Glycerol Lysis Test
Treatment
Folic Acid
Splenectomy
picmonic thumbnail
2 mins
Sickle Cell Anemia (Mechanism)
Intrinsic Normocytic Hemolytic Anemia
Point Mutation
Autosomal Recessive
African American
Dehydration or Decreased O2
Newborns Asymptomatic
Heterozygote Malarial Resistance
picmonic thumbnail
2 mins
Sickle Cell Anemia (Signs and Complications)
Signs
Crew-cut on Skull X-ray
Complications
Auto-splenectomy
Painful Crisis
Aplastic Crisis
Splenic-sequestration Crisis
Hyper-hemolytic Syndrome
Renal Papillary Necrosis
Salmonella osteomyelitis
Pulmonary Hypertension
Hyposthenuria
picmonic thumbnail
2 mins
Sickle Cell Anemia (Management)
Long Term Treatment
Hydroxyurea
Bone Marrow Transplant
Folate
Acute Treatment
Exchange Transfusion
Prophylaxis
Penicillin Prophylaxis
picmonic thumbnail
1 min
Cold Agglutinin Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (C-AIHA)
Pathophysiology
IgM Binds to RBCs at Cold Temperatures (28-31C)
Extravascular Hemolysis
Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia
Mycoplasma Pneumoniae
Infectious Mononucleosis
Lymphomas and CLL
Symptoms
Acrocyanosis with Cold Exposure
Blue Fingers and Toes
Diagnosis
Positive Coombs Test
Treatment
Avoid Cold
Rituximab
+/- Fludarabine
picmonic thumbnail
4 mins
Warm Agglutinin Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (W-AIHA)
Pathophysiology
Most Common Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
IgG Coats RBCs at Warm Temperatures
Fc Portion of IgG Recognized By Macrophages
Extravascular Hemolysis
Medications
Alpha Methyldopa
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Diagnosis
Positive Coombs Test
Treatment
Corticosteroids
Splenectomy
Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG)
Rituximab
picmonic thumbnail
3 mins
Beta Thalassemia
Mechanism
Microcytic, Hypochromic Anemia
Mediterranean Populations
Decreased Beta-Globin
Beta-Thalassemia Minor
Increased HbA2
No Intervention
Beta-thalassemia Major
Blood Transfusions
Hemochromatosis
Crew-cut on Skull X-Ray
Diagnosis
Electrophoresis
picmonic thumbnail
2 mins
Polycythemia Vera Disease
Pathophysiology
JAK2 Mutation leading to increased red blood cells
Tyrosine Kinase
Symptoms
Erythromelalgia
Pruritus
Often After Hot Shower
Headache
Treatment
Phlebotomy
Aspirin
picmonic thumbnail
1 min
Polycythemia Vera Labs
Lab Findings (The 4 H's)
Hypervolemia
Histaminemia
Hyperviscosity
Hyperuricemia
Diagnosis
Elevated Hemoglobin or Hematocrit
Positive Jak2 Mutation
picmonic thumbnail
1 min
Transfusion Reactions
Acute Hemolytic
Febrile, Non-Hemolytic
Mild Allergic
Anaphylactic
Circulatory Overload
Sepsis Reaction
Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI)
Massive Blood Transfusion
picmonic thumbnail
2 mins
Blood Transfusion Administration
Proper Patient Identification
Large Bore Needle
Y Tubing
Baseline Vital Signs
Slow IV Infusion
Monitor During First 15 Minutes or 50 mL of Blood
Monitor for Reactions
Considerations
Do Not Add Anything To Same IV Line
No Dextrose or Lactated Ringers
Jehovah's Witnesses, No Transfusions
picmonic thumbnail
3 mins
Methemoglobinemia Characteristics
Characteristics
Oxidized Iron in Hemoglobin
Decreased Affinity for Oxygen
Increased Affinity for Cyanide
Etiologies
Dietary Nitrates
Drugs
Nitroglycerin
Lidocaine
G6PD Deficiency
picmonic thumbnail
2 mins
Diamond-Blackfan Anemia
Characteristics
Red Blood Cell Aplasia
Macrocytic Anemia
Clinical Features
Short Stature
Craniofacial Anomalies
Triphalangeal Thumbs
Diagnosis
Increased HbF (Fetal Hemoglobin)
Management
RBC Transfusion
Steroids
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
picmonic thumbnail
2 mins

Ace Your Medicine (MD/DO) Classes & Exams with Picmonic:

Over 1,940,000 students use Picmonic’s picture mnemonics to improve knowledge, retention, and exam performance.

Choose the #1 Medicine (MD/DO) student study app.

Picmonic for Medicine (MD/DO) covers information that is relevant to your entire Medicine (MD/DO) education. Whether you’re studying for your classes or getting ready to conquer the USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK, COMLEX Level 1, or COMLEX Level 2, we’re here to help.

Works better than traditional Medicine (MD/DO) flashcards.

Research shows that students who use Picmonic see a 331% improvement in memory retention and a 50% improvement in test scores.

It's worth every penny