Taking a History - MAPPS, OPQRST, OLDCART (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key history-taking concepts from the lecture notes: MAPPS, OLDCART, OPQRST, and related essential/history-specific terms.

MAPPS

A mnemonic used to structure the history-taking process: Mechanism; Associated symptoms; Past injury/Past medical history; Pain; Sounds/Symptoms.

OLDCART

A mnemonic for: Onset, Location, Duration, Character, Aggravating/Alleviating, Radiation, Treatments

OPQRST

A mnemonic for history-taking: Onset; Provocation; Quality; Region (Location); Severity; Timing.

Chief Complaint

The main reason the patient is seeking care; the starting point for the history, including location and type of injury.

Mechanism of Injury

Detailed inquiry about how the injury occurred, including direction, location, velocity of force, and the types of forces involved.

Direction of Force

The orientation of the force relative to the body at the time of injury.

Location of Force

Where the force was applied on the body during the injury.

Velocity of Force

The speed at which the injuring force was delivered.

Compression Forces

Forces that push tissues together (e.g., contusion, cervical spine fracture).

Tensioning Forces

Forces that stretch or pull tissues (e.g., muscle strains, joint sprouts).

Twisting Forces

Forces that rotate or torque joints or limbs (e.g., ACL tear).

Shearing Forces

Forces that cause layers to slide past each other (e.g., some brain injuries).

Sounds/Symptoms

Audible cues or sensations associated with injury, such as pops, clicks, or giving way.

Nature of Illness or Injury

Description of associated symptoms, events leading up to the injury, and questions about when it hurts most and how it changes.

Onset

When the symptoms began; distinguishes acute versus insidious onset.

Location

Where the pain or symptoms are felt; helps indicate tissue pathology and injury pattern.

Duration

How long the pain or symptoms have been present; can indicate acute versus chronic process.

Character

Type of pain (e.g., sharp, dull, burning) and its severity on a 0–10 scale.

Aggravating/Alleviating

Factors or activities that worsen or improve the symptoms.

Radiation

Spread of pain or symptoms from the original site to other areas; can suggest nerve involvement when it travels distally.

Treatments Tried

Any measures already used to manage the condition (rest, ice, stretching, exercises, medications).

Essential History

Ruling out life- or limb-threatening conditions; assess consciousness, breathing, circulation, and profuse bleeding; use bystanders as information.

Focused History

Investigation of the patient’s major complaint and readily apparent problems to guide immediate action and safety.

Detailed History

Thorough history typically gathered off-site; includes current signs/symptoms and history of previous injuries.

Situation-Specific History

Focused history for on-site examination to determine immediate safety and relocation needs for assessment.

Differential Diagnosis

A list of potential conditions to consider after the history to guide the rest of the exam.