AEIOU TIPS

This is a common medical mnemonic designed to (remind you or jog your memory) of potential reasons why your patient may be unconscious. There are multiple different versions out there and there are obviously many other causes of a decreased level of consciousness too. According to one clinical training officer I worked with, “There are over 176 known causes of a syncopal event, and unless you’ve ruled each and everyone of them out, you have no reason to suspect that the patient has just had a benign syncope.”

A – Alcohol

E – Epilepsy with seizure activity

I – Infection

O – Overdose

U- Uremia (excess uremia in the blood as a result of kidney failure or inadequacy)

T – Trauma

I – Insulin (high or low BSL)

P – Poisoining

S – Stroke