Elements of a History Flashcards
Introduction
self (medical student), patient (name, how referred to), age
Chief Complaint
“verbatim, in quotes” – clarify if not a symptom
History of Present Illness (HPI)
[5 elements]
Usually state of health (timeline)
7 Cardinal Dimensions
Pertinent Postives/Negatives
Risk Factors
Impact on Baseline Function
7 Cardinal Dimensions of a Symptom
- Location
- Quality
- Quantity/Intensity
- Timing (onset, trajectory, pattern)
- Setting/Context (what was patient doing)
- Aggravating/Relieving Factors
- Associated Symptoms
Past Medical History (PMH)
Illnesses/Conditions: chronic health condition, hospitalizations, injuries, surgeries, pregnancies, childhood illnesses
Medications: Rx, OTC, vitamins, dose & frequency
Drug Reactions/Allergies
Special PMH: Exposures and Health Maintenance
Family History (FH)
Composition of Family (3 generations: parents, siblings, kids) – alive and well, living with illness, deceased
Heritable Illnesses in extended family
Chronic Medical Conditions to always ask about
diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, hypercholesterolemia, pulmonary disease
Questions in the Past Surgical History
When, What, Complications, Long-term results
Help the patient w/ appendix, gallbladder, wisdom teeth, stitches?
Gynecologic History questions to ask
How many times have you been pregnant?
How many children do you have?
Go through each pregnancy
When was your last menstrual period?
Are periods regular/irregular? light/normal/heavy?
Post menopause and when?
Abnormal PAP tests
Social History elements
Patient Profile
Lifestyle/Habits
Sexual History
Stress/Support
Patient Profile questions to ask
Are you married or do you have a partner?
Who lives at home with you?
Do you feel safe at home? In your neighborhood?
What do you do for a living? Work, retired, disabled, homemaker?
Ethnicity
Alcohol questions to ask
How much do you drink??
How often? What type? Pattern?
What is the average number of drinks you have in a week?
What is the most number of drinks you have had on any one day of the week?
CAGE:
tried to Cut down?
been Annoyed by someone else?
felt Guilty about drinking?
had an Eye opener (drink in the morning)?
Tobacco questions to ask
Do you smoke cigarettes (cigars)?
Have you ever smoked?
For how many years?
How many packs a day?
Did you have quit or try to quit?
Recreational Drugs questions to ask
Any (recreational) drug use?
Marijuana, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, crystal meth, hallucinogens, angel dust?
How often and for how long?
Sexual History questions to ask
Are you sexually active?
Are your partners men, women, or both?
How many sexual partners have you had in the last six months?
Are you using protection? If no, are you trying to become pregnant? Are you concerned about HIV and AIDS?
Have you had any STDs? any herpes, syphylis, gonorrhea, chlamydia
Are you satisfied with your sex life?
Do you have any concerns about your sex life?