SAMPLE history

Introduction

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

• 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

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.

SAMPLE History Chart

Application in Emergency Medicine

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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.

External Links

• EMS1.com: How to use SAMPLE history and OPQRST together
• National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians

See Also

• Emergency medicine
• First aid
• Patient assessment
• OPQRST

SAMPLE history Resources
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