• Key Questions:

  • When did it start?

  • Sudden or gradual?

  • Any precipitating event?

• Memory Hook:
  "Did it creep in (gradual) or strike like lightning (sudden)?"
  
  

Location

• Key Questions:

  • Where is the symptom?

  • Can the patient point to it with one finger?

Characterise

• Key Questions:

  • Pain: Sharp, dull, stabbing?

  • Bodily fluids: ABC (Amount? Blood? Color?)

Aggravating/Alleviating

• Key Questions:

  • What worsens it? (e.g., movement, food)

  • What relieves it? (e.g., rest, medication)

Radiation

• Key Questions:

  • Does the symptom spread? (e.g., pain moving to the arm)

• Key Questions:

  • Has the patient tried any treatments?

  • Medications, home remedies, or ER visits?

Severity

• Key Questions:

  • Rate severity on a scale of 1–10.

  • Compare to past experiences (e.g., "Worse than childbirth?").