What does the acronym OPQRST stand for in pain assessment?

The acronym OPQRST is a mnemonic tool used in pain assessment to guide healthcare providers in evaluating a patient’s pain more thoroughly. Each component of OPQRST helps elicit crucial information about the nature and characteristics of the pain experienced by the patient.

In this case, the correct interpretation of OPQRST includes:

• Onset: When did the pain start? This helps to determine if the pain is acute or chronic.

• Provocation/Palliation: What makes the pain better or worse? This assesses factors that influence the intensity of the pain.

• Quality: How would the patient describe the pain? Is it sharp, dull, stabbing, etc.? This aids in understanding the type of pain and possible underlying conditions.

• Radiation: Does the pain move or spread to other areas? Knowing if the pain radiates can point to specific conditions related to the heart, nerves, or organs.

• Severity: On a scale of 1 to 10, how would the patient rate their pain? This quantifies the pain level and helps in monitoring changes.

• Time: How long has the pain lasted, and is it constant or intermittent? Understanding the time course can help identify the nature of