1.PAIN (Anywhere in chest /Abdomen ):
Remember the mnemonic: LIQORA or SOCRATES
1. Location: Can you tell me exactly where the pain is?
2. Onset: When did this problem start?
How did it start? I mean suddenly or gradually?
What were you doing when it started?
First three questions can be asked in a variety of other complaints also.
From here on it is only about pain and follows PQRSTUV.A
3. Quality: How would you describe your pain? I mean is it burning, cramping, stabbing or gripping?
4. Radiation: Does it move anywhere?
5. Severity: On the scale of 1 to 10, if 10 is the worst pain you‟ve ever had, how would you grade this pain? If 6 or more, then say, “Oh Mr. / Ms……….. It must be hurting you a lot. Let me assure that I am here to help you and I will do my level best to make you feel more comfortable”
6. Time Duration When did you notice it for the first time
7. Underlying Factors Do you have any idea what might be causing it? Aggravating factors: Is there anything that makes it worse? Alleviating factors: Anything that makes it better?
8. Variability Is it continuous or does it comes and goes? Is it progressively worsening?
(If intermittent ask). How many times have you had this problem? (If intermittent ask). How long does each episode last?
9. Associated symptoms: These questions are case-specific, and will let you rule out the D/D (elaborated at the very end of the notes)
Nice 2 mnemonics but SOCRATES is easier to memorize so it should be used for students who just begin to learn history taking skill
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