OPQRST

OPQRST is a mnemonic initialism used by medical professionals to accurately discern reasons for a patient's symptoms and history in the event of an acute illness.[1] It is specifically adapted to elicit symptoms of a possible heart attack.[2] Each letter stands for an important line of questioning for the patient assessment.[3][4] This is usually taken along with vital signs and the SAMPLE history and would usually be recorded by the person delivering the aid, such as in the "Subjective" portion of a SOAP note, for later reference.

"PQRST" (onset "O") is sometimes used in conjunction.[5][6][7]

The term "OPQRST-AAA" adds "aggravating/alleviating factors", "associated symptoms", and "attributions/adaptations".[8]

  1. ^ "EMS competence and confidence comes from constantly learning". EMS1. Retrieved 2017-02-14.
  2. ^ Pollak, Andrew N.; Benjamin Gulli; Les Chatelain; Chris Stratford (2005). Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 9th Ed. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett. pp. 148–149. ISBN 0-7637-4738-6.
  3. ^ Thomas SA (2003). "Spinal stenosis: history and physical examination". Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 14 (1): 29–39. doi:10.1016/s1047-9651(02)00049-9. PMID 12622480. S2CID 14512590.
  4. ^ Richard Lapierre (2005). Kaplan EMT-Basic Exam (Kaplan Emt-Basic Exam). Kaplan. p. 62. ISBN 0-7432-6417-7.
  5. ^ Montgomery J, Mitty E, Flores S (2008). "Resident condition change: should I call 911?". Geriatr Nurs. 29 (1): 15–26. doi:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2007.11.009. PMID 18267174.
  6. ^ Ryan CW (1996). "Evaluation of patients with chronic headache". Am Fam Physician. 54 (3): 1051–7. PMID 8784174.
  7. ^ "umed.med.utah.edu". Archived from the original on 2007-06-16. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  8. ^ "Simple secondary survey study sheet". Retrieved 2008-03-31.