History taking

SAMPLE

Signs and symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake, Events leading up

A structured way to take a rapid history, widely taught in emergency and prehospital settings and carried into nursing assessment.

What each letter stands for

  1. 1 Signs and symptoms — what is observed and what is reported.
  2. 2 Allergies.
  3. 3 Medications currently taken.
  4. 4 Past medical history.
  5. 5 Last oral intake — what and when.
  6. 6 Events leading up to the presentation.

How it gets tested

The L is the letter people forget, and it is the one with a practical consequence, so it is the one most often asked.

Related terms

OPQRSTOLD CARTSSBAR

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