Question

Which are components of a complete health history? Mark all that apply. a. Chief complaint b. History of the present illness c. Past medical/surgical history d. Family, personal, and social history e. Review of systems f. Physical exam

Short answer

a, b, c, d, e

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Question

The question asks to identify components that make up a complete health history. It provides a list of options and you need to mark all that apply.

Identify the Components

Recognize what a complete health history includes. A full health history typically contains several key pieces of information about a patient's health.

Analyze Each Option

Analyze each of the given options to see if they belong to a complete health history: a. Chief complaint: Yes, this is typically the reason for the patient's visit. b. History of the present illness: Yes, this details the evolution of the current issue. c. Past medical/surgical history: Yes, this includes all previous medical and surgical events. d. Family, personal, and social history: Yes, this includes familial diseases, lifestyle factors, and social context. e. Review of systems: Yes, this is a systematic check of body systems. f. Physical exam: No, this is part of the physical assessment, not the history.

Choose the Correct Answers

Based on your analysis: The components of a complete health history are: a. Chief complaint b. History of the present illness c. Past medical/surgical history d. Family, personal, and social history e. Review of systems

Key concepts

chief complaint

The chief complaint is the main reason for the patient's visit to the healthcare provider. It's usually a brief statement describing the patient's primary concern or symptom. This helps the healthcare professional understand the immediate problem that needs addressing. For example:

• 'I have been experiencing severe headaches for the past two days.'
• 'My child has had a persistent cough for a week.'
• 'I'm feeling unusually tired and weak.'

The chief complaint sets the stage for further investigation and helps prioritize the issues to be addressed during the visit.

history of present illness

The history of present illness (HPI) provides a detailed account of the symptoms or condition that brought the patient in. It includes:

• Onset: When did the symptoms start?
• Location: Where is the issue occurring?
• Duration: How long have the symptoms been present?
• Character: What is the nature of the symptoms (sharp, dull, throbbing)?
• Aggravating and alleviating factors: What makes the symptoms better or worse?
• Associated symptoms: Are there other symptoms occurring with the main issue?

Having a comprehensive HPI helps the healthcare provider form a clearer picture and guides the diagnostic process.

past medical/surgical history

The past medical/surgical history (PMH/SH) includes all previous medical events and surgeries the patient has undergone. This is crucial for understanding how past health issues might influence current problems.

• Medical history: Chronic conditions (like diabetes or hypertension), previous illnesses, current medications, and allergies.
• Surgical history: All past surgeries, including dates and any complications during or after the procedures.

This section helps healthcare providers anticipate potential risks and make informed decisions about the patient's care.

family history

Family history involves collecting health information about the patient's immediate family members (parents, siblings, and sometimes extended relatives). It helps identify hereditary conditions and challenges that may affect the patient.

• Genetic conditions: Diseases that run in the family, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, or cancers.
• Patterns: The age of onset of diseases in family members, which can be indicative of possible future issues for the patient.

Understanding family history allows for better risk assessment and preventive care strategies.

review of systems

The review of systems (ROS) is a systematic approach to check the patient's body systems. It ensures no symptoms or issues are overlooked. The provider asks about common symptoms for each system to get a comprehensive view:

• Constitutional: Weight changes, fever, fatigue.
• Cardiovascular: Chest pain, palpitations.
• Respiratory: Cough, shortness of breath.
• Gastrointestinal: Nausea, abdominal pain.
• Neurological: Headaches, dizziness.
• Musculoskeletal: Joint pain, stiffness.

By covering all systems, the ROS helps to uncover areas that need further exploration.