Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 20, 2026

Author Spotlight: Developing a Point-of-Care Hemoglobin Estimation Method for Anemia Management
Published on: January 19, 2024
Practical way of creating differential diagnoses through an expanded VITAMINSABCDEK mnemonic
1Department of Paediatrics, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Abstract:
Having an organized, structured thinking process is critical in medicine. It is through this thinking process that enables one to go through the method of history-taking, which will eventually lead to making a definitive diagnosis and all other processes that follow. The use of mnemonic has been found to be useful for this purpose. The mnemonic VITAMINSABCDEK, is a convenient and practical way to assist in expanding the differential diagnoses and covers all possible causes of an illness. It is also easy to remember, as the vitamins whose letters are represented in this mnemonic cover the entire range of vitamins known.
Related Concept Videos
Vitamins
Differential Staining Technique
Automated Microbial Diagnostics
Pedigree Analysis
Blood Studies I: ABG and VBG
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) studies are crucial for assessing the lungs' ability to supply oxygen and remove carbon dioxide, reflecting the patient's ventilation status. They also help understand the kidneys' capacity to...
Diagnosing Acidosis and Alkalosis
First, the pH level is assessed to determine whether the blood pH is normal (7.35–7.45), low (acidosis), or high (alkalosis).
Next, the PCO2 and...