SAMPLE history
Introduction[edit | edit source]
SAMPLE History is an essential mnemonic acronym used in emergency medicine and first aid to remember key questions for a person's medical assessment. It is particularly useful for first responders during the secondary assessment of a patient. SAMPLE is a tool to quickly obtain a patient's medical history and identify potential life-threatening conditions.
Overview of SAMPLE History[edit | edit source]
- Purpose: Provides a systematic approach to collecting important health information from a patient.
- Usage: Commonly used in conjunction with vital signs assessment and the OPQRST mnemonic.
Components of SAMPLE History[edit | edit source]
Each letter in "SAMPLE" stands for a specific area of inquiry:
- S - Symptoms: What symptoms the patient is experiencing.
- A - Allergies: Any allergies, particularly to medications, that the patient has.
- M - Medications: What medications the patient is currently taking.
- P - Past Medical History: Any past illnesses or surgeries.
- L - Last Oral Intake: The last thing the patient ate or drank.
- E - Events Leading Up To Present Illness/Injury: What events occurred leading up to the current medical situation.
Application in Emergency Medicine[edit | edit source]
- SAMPLE history is a crucial part of the secondary assessment in emergency care, especially in pre-hospital settings.
- It aids in making informed medical decisions and can guide treatment priorities.
Gathering SAMPLE History[edit | edit source]
- The information can be obtained directly from alert patients or, in the case of unresponsive individuals, from family members, friends, or bystanders.
- In severe trauma cases, while still relevant, the immediate focus might be more on life-saving interventions.
Relation to Other Assessment Tools[edit | edit source]
- Vital Signs: SAMPLE is often used alongside vital sign measurements to provide a comprehensive understanding of the patient's condition.
- OPQRST: Another mnemonic used to assess the patient's complaints more thoroughly.
AMPLE History - A Derivative of SAMPLE[edit | edit source]
- AMPLE: A variation of SAMPLE, it places greater emphasis on a person's Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake, and Events leading up to the illness or injury.
Importance in Medical Training and Practice[edit | edit source]
- SAMPLE history is a fundamental component of training for emergency medical responders, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
- It provides a quick, structured way to gather essential medical information in emergency situations.
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
- EMS1.com: How to use SAMPLE history and OPQRST together
- National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
See Also[edit | edit source]
SAMPLE history Resources | ||
---|---|---|
|
|
Translate to: East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD