Transcript The History
PARAMEDIC CARE:
PRINCIPLES &
PRACTICE
Patient
Assessment
The History
The ability to elicit a good
history lays the foundation
for good patient care.
Topics
History Taking Techniques
Active Listening
The Comprehensive Health
History
Patient Rapport
Setting the Stage
If a patient’s chart is available,
review it before interviewing the
patient.
Use this information to gain
clues about the patient.
The First Impression
Present yourself as a caring,
competent, and confident
health care professional.
When you introduce yourself to the patient,
shaking hands or offering a comforting touch
will help build trust.
Asking Questions
Use a combination of openended and close-ended
questions.
Language and Communication
Use appropriate language.
Use an appropriate level of
questioning, but do not appear
condescending.
When encountering communication
barriers, try to enlist someone to
help.
Actively listen.
Active Listening
Facilitation
Reflection
Clarification
Empathy
Confrontation
Interpretation
Asking about feelings
Sensitive Topics
A paramedic must learn to
become comfortable dealing
with sensitive topics.
It is important to earn a
patient’s trust.
The Comprehensive
Patient History
Elements of the
Patient History
Preliminary Data
Date and time
Age
Sex
Race
Birthplace
Occupation
The Chief Complaint
This is the pain, discomfort,
dysfunction that caused the
patient to request help.
The Present Illness
OPQRST-ASPN
Onset of the
problem
Provocative/
Palliative factors
Quality
Region/Radiation
Severity
Time
Associated
Symptoms
Pertinent
Negatives
Past History
General state of health
Childhood diseases
Adult diseases
Psychiatric illnesses
Accidents or injuries
Surgeries or hospitalizations
Current Health Status
(1 of 3)
Current medications
Allergies
Tobacco
Alcohol, drugs, and
related substances
Diet
Screening tests
Immunizations
Current Health Status
(2 of 3)
Sleep patterns
Exercise and leisure activities
Environmental hazards
Use of safety measures
Family history
Home situation and
significant others
Daily life
Current Health Status
(3 of 3)
Important exercises
Religious beliefs
The patient’s outlook
You should take your patient’s
medications with you to the hospital,
when practical.
Review of Systems
A system-by-system series of
questions designed to identify
problems your patient has not
already identified.
Special Challenges (1 of 2)
Silence
Overly talkative
patients
Multiple
symptoms
Anxiety
Depression
Sexually
attractive or
seductive
patients
Confusing
behaviors or
symptoms
Special Challenges (2 of 2)
Patients
needing
reassurance
Anger and
hostility
Intoxication
Crying
Limited
intelligence
Language
Barriers
Hearing
problems
Blindness
Talking with
families or
friends
If the patient cannot provide useful
information, gather it from family
or bystanders.
Summary
History taking techniques
Active listening
The comprehensive health
history