3 mins read
Clinical skills for Medical graduates : A quick revision
What questions you will ask to patient with pain in the chest or Abdomen?Remember the mnemonic:SOCRATESS: Site,O : onset,C character,R: radiation ,A associations,T time course,E exacerbating & relieving factorsS severityS : Site of pain : Can You tell me exactly where the pain is?Intensity of pain2.Onset: When. did this problem start?How dd it start?I mean suddenly or gradually?Q3 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 followsPQRSTUV.A3.Character of pain: How would you describe. your pain?I mean is it burning, cramping, stabbing or.gripping?4.Radiation:Does it move anywhere?5.Severity:On a scale of 1 to 10 ,if 10 is the worst pain you‟ever had,how would you grade this pain?If 6 or more, then say,“Oh Mr. / Ms………..It must be hurting you a lot.Show sincere empathy .It is very important in clinical practiceSay I am here to help you and we will do our 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 come and go?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 various causes of the pain |
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