History taking
COLDSPA
Character, Onset, Location, Duration, Severity, Pattern, Associated factors
A symptom-analysis structure taught in health assessment courses. Its distinctive slot is the last one: what else is happening alongside the main symptom.
What each letter stands for
- 1 Character — how the symptom is described.
- 2 Onset — when it began.
- 3 Location — where it is.
- 4 Duration — how long it lasts.
- 5 Severity — how intense it is.
- 6 Pattern — what makes it better or worse.
- 7 Associated factors — what accompanies it.
How it gets tested
Items usually test the A, since "associated symptoms" is the part a beginner leaves out of a description.
Related terms
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