The important mnemonic of the criticism

In primary care settings, a radical history of presenting disease (HPI) is essential to understanding the cause or issues that prompted the patient’s visit. The first and most vital element of the HPI is the Chief Complaint (CC). When exploring CC, it’s important to ask about symptom characteristics reminiscent of location, timing (onset, duration, frequency), quality or severity, aspects that worsen or alleviate symptoms, and related symptoms accompanying the important symptom.

Characteristics of symptoms

• Location: Where within the body does the symptom or problem occur?
• Quality: Describe the way you experience the symptom (i.e. pain, shortness of breath, nausea, etc.).
• Quantity or Severity: Can you rate your pain on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst pain? Can you describe your shortness of breath as mild, moderate or severe?
• Timing:
  • Onset: When did the nausea start? What activities or circumstances cause, worsen, or relieve nausea?
  • Duration: How long do headaches occur and the way long do they last?
  • Frequency: How often do symptoms occur?
• Modifying aspects: What activities improve symptoms and what activities make them worse?
• Related Symptoms: What other problems or issues are present with the important symptom?

To remember these symptom characteristics when interviewing a patient, use one among the 2 mnemonics below.

Nursing mnemonic: OPQRST

• nset
• mutual and connecting aspects
• quality
• egion or adiation
• eternity
• iming or emporal features

Nursing mnemonic: OLD CARTRIDGES

• nset
• location
• uration
• character
• aggravating or mitigating aspects
• adiation
• decoy
• eternity

For more useful nursing mnemonics, try these nursing suggestions.

Bickley, L. S., Szilagyi, P. G., Hoffman, R. M., & Soriano, R. P. (2021). Bate’s guide to physical examination and interviewing (thirteenth ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health: Philadelphia.