Question: How can I remember the causes of coma and altered mental status?
Answer:
TIPS-Vowels–that is, TIPS-AEIOU.
TIPS
T Trauma, temperature
I Infection (CNS and systemic)
P Psychiatric
S Space-occupying lesions, stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, shock
VOWELS
A Alcohol and other drugs
E Endocrine, exocrine, electrolytes
I Insulin (diabetes)
O Oxygen (lack of), opiates
U Uremia
