What does the 'P' in SAMPLE stand for?

The 'P' in SAMPLE stands for "Past medical history." This acronym is a mnemonic commonly used in medical assessments, particularly in emergency medicine, to help gather important information about a patient. Understanding a patient's past medical history is crucial because it provides context that can influence both diagnosis and treatment. This information may include previously diagnosed conditions, surgeries, medications, allergies, and any pertinent family medical history that might affect the patient's current health status.

In contrast, the other options provided, such as "Present illness," "Pain scale," and "Physical exam," pertain to different aspects of patient assessment but do not correspond to the 'P' in SAMPLE. Present illness would typically focus on the current health issue the patient is experiencing, the pain scale is a tool for assessing the intensity of a patient’s pain, and a physical exam involves a thorough examination of the patient to identify any other medical issues. Each of these elements is vital in a comprehensive patient assessment but they serve different purposes than collecting past medical history.