Chapter 17: History Taking

Question 1

What is the chief complaint?

Answer 1

A patient’s primary complaint. Usually the reason for EMS response

Question 2

What is a differential diagnosis?

Answer 2

The process of weighing the probability of one disease versus that of other diseases possibly accounting for a patient’s illness

Question 3

Facilitation

Answer 3

Use posture an positive actions or words to encourage the patient to say more.. “Go on” “I’m listening”…

Question 4

Reflection

Answer 4

Echo or repeat what the patient tells you. This response encourages additional responses.

Question 5

Empathy

Answer 5

Demonstrate you understand the patient’s feelings.

Question 6

T or F: The true needs of a patient may not be stated in the chief complaint.

Answer 6

True

Question 7

OPQRST

Answer 7

Onset-What were you doing when the pain started? Was it sudden or gradual?
Provocation-What makes it better? What makes it worse?
Quality-What does the pain feel like? Sharp, dull, tearing, burning?
Region/Radiation-Where do you feel your pain? Is it radiating anywhere else?
Severity-Scale of 1-10
Timing-How long have you experienced this? When did it start? Did it end?

Question 8

SAMPLE

Answer 8

Signs and symptoms
Allergies
Medications
Pertinent past medical history
Last oral intake
Events leading up…

Question 9

Difference between a sign and a symptom?

Answer 9

Sign=SEE, Symptom=What they tell you