Focused History and Physical Exam - OPQRST

Acronym: O.P.Q.R.S.T.

• O
  Onset
  "When did you start to feel this way?"
• P
  Provocation
  "What makes it feel worse?" "What makes it feel better?"
• Q
  Quality
  Note: more information needed here. Please post in comments with more information.
• R
  Radiation (of pain)
  "Does the pain radiate or travel anywhere else in your body?"
• S
  Severity
  "On a scale of 0-10, what is a zero (o)? What is a ten (10)?"
  "How does the present discomfort feel on that scale of zero-to-ten?"
• T
  Time
  Duration of the present episode.
• I
  Interventions
  Interventions attempted prior to EMS arrival?

Questions for Specific Issues:

Respiratory See O.P.Q.R.S.T.(I). listed above.

Cardiac See O.P.Q.R.S.T.(I). listed above.




A.M.S. (Altered Mental Status) Description of the episode Onset? Duration? Associated symptoms? Evidence of Trauma? Interventions? Seizures? Fever?	Allergic Reaction History of allergies? What were you exposed to? How were you exposed? Effects? Progression? Interventions?
Poisoning / Overdose Substance? When did you ingest/become exposed? How much did you ingest? Over what time period? Interventions? Estimated weight?	Environmental Emergency Source? Environment? Duration? Loss of consciousness? Effects of general or local? Note: Needs further explanation. Please post in comments with further information.
Obstetrics Are you pregnant? How long have you been pregnant? Pain or contractions? Bleeeding or discharge? Has water broken? Do you feel the need to push? Last menstrual period?	Behavioral Emergency How do you feel? Determine suicidal tendencies Note: needs further explanation. Please post in comments with further information. Is patient a threat to self or others? Is there a medical problem? Interventions?