Complaining about Chiefs
What is a "Chief Complaint"?
The reason a patient or family/bystanders called 911.
What does the "P" in OPQRST stand for?
Provocation/Palliation
What does "SAMPLE" stand for?
S-Signs and Symptoms
A-Allergies to Medications
M-Medications Prescribed/Taken
P-Pertinant Medical History
L-Last Oral Intake
E-Events Leading Up To....
What letter of SAMPLE would a patients use of tobacco fall under?
P
What is a differential diagnosis?
Possible causes of the patients symptoms and presentation.
What red fruit is often mistaken for a vegetable and is the star of marinara sauce?
Tomato
Why do we document "patients own words"?
Provides patient perspective and provides clarity.
What is a pertinent negative?
Something you expect to find based on chief complaint, patient presentation, or assessment findings, but is absent.
What class of medications should amplify your index of suspicion for bleeding in trauma patients?
Anticoagulants/Blood Thinners
What is the CAGE questionnaire used to screen for?
Alcohol dependence
Why is pattern recognition important for providers?
Allows quick identification of critical conditions based on experience.
Bell Peppers
What is a mechanism of injury?
The strength, type, and direction of forces applied to a patient, causing injury.
What is "Onset"?
What the patient was doing when the complaint presented, and a specific time when the symptoms began.
What are 2 drug classes that may indicate a patient has a history of cardiac problems?
Beta Blockers/ACE Inhibitors/Diuretics/anti-hypertensives/Blood Thinners/Antiarrhythmics/Statins/Nitrates
If a patient is experiencing chest pain, what portion of the OPQRST acronym would have the patient describe their pain?
Q
What is an anchoring bias?
Focusing too early on a single diagnosis and ignoring other possibilities, even when signs and symptoms exist outside of the original differential diagnosis.
This green fruit is essential for tacos but is definitely not a vegetable.
An avocado
Why do we ask for a chief complaint?
Prioritize questions/structure assessment/aspect focus.
What is "Palliation"?
Anything that makes a patients symptoms subside/makes a patient feel better.
Why do we ask patients if they have any allergies to medications?
To avoid harmful risks and complications and to ensure a good continuity of care.
What is the best assessment finding for quickly evaluating if a patient is in a state of hypoperfusion without having to even touch the patient?
Skin signs
What concurrent signs with abdominal pain should throw up a red flag for a provider treating a patient?
Sudden onset, rigidity, signs of bleeding or shock, unexplained bruising.
Another vegetable like fruit that is typically either sliced and added to sandwiches or placed in a brine to make a pickle is what?
Cucumber
What is an example of a "vague" chief complaint?
Just say something vague, like theres at least 200 answers I can think of.
What are "Associated Signs and Symptoms"?
Symptoms, separate from the chief complaint, that frequently accompany or are expected to present with certain complaints. (Nausea with chest pain/chest wall pain with a cough).
What are 2 locations you may find a patients prescribed medicaitons or a medication list?
Purse, refrigerator, bathroom, wallet, past hospital paperwork.
What is a good question to ask a patient who is complaining of swollen legs, with one of thier legs presenting a warm to touch and painful?
Have you traveled recently?
Validates your clinincal reasoning and helps continuity of care.
This purple plant is vegetable like and often found in stir-fry, but is actually a berry.
Eggplant