What does the acronym SAMPLE stand for in patient assessment?

The acronym SAMPLE is a crucial tool used during patient assessment to gather important information about a patient's condition. It stands for the following:

• Signs and symptoms: This part involves observing the physical signs of a patient’s condition and asking about their symptoms.

• Allergies: Understanding any allergies a patient has is critical for ensuring that they do not receive medications or treatments that could cause adverse reactions.

• Medications: Knowing what medications a patient is currently taking helps healthcare providers avoid potential drug interactions and assess the patient's overall health status.

• Past medical history: Information on the patient’s previous health issues can provide context for their current condition and help in understanding possible complications.

• Last oral intake: This is important for determining the patient’s hydration and nutritional status, as well as for making decisions about possible surgical interventions.

• Events leading to the injury or illness: Understanding the events that led to the patient’s condition helps to establish a timeline and gather insights about mechanisms of injury or onset of illness.

This choice accurately reflects all components of the SAMPLE acronym, making it the correct answer for assessing a patient's medical history and current condition. The other options either contain incorrect terminology, replace essential components of the acronym, or fail to cover all necessary elements for comprehensive patient assessment.