charting

Question 1

HPI mnemonic

Answer 1

PQRSTAC

Question 2

P

Answer 2

palliative/provocative
aka modifying factors
what makes the problem better or worse

Question 3

Q

Answer 3

quality
should always be direct quotes of what the patient said
e.g. “it feels like an elephant is sitting on my chest”

Question 4

R

Answer 4

region/radiation

Question 5

S

Answer 5

severity

quantitative: 0-10;
qualitative: none/mild/moderate/severe

Question 6

T

Answer 6

timing

when, how long, frequency, intermittent or reduced

Question 7

A

Answer 7

associated symptoms

less serious than the chief complaint, typically coincide with the onset of the chief complaint

Question 8

C

Answer 8

context
any aspect that maybe clinically relevant
if in doubt ask physician whether this info should be included in the chart