Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Practice Test

In the SAMPLE format, what does asking a patient "What brought this on?" represent?

1. History of Present Illness

2. Last Oral Intake

3. Medications

4. Events Leading Up to the Illness

The correct answer is: History of Present Illness

In the SAMPLE format, asking a patient "What brought this on?" directly pertains to gathering information about the History of Present Illness. This question is crucial as it opens the dialogue for the patient to describe their current symptoms and the sequence of events leading to their medical condition. Understanding the context surrounding the onset of a patient's illness helps healthcare providers assess the situation more accurately and informs their decisions regarding treatment and interventions. The History of Present Illness focuses on the symptoms that led to the patient's current state and any relevant factors that may have contributed to the onset of their condition. This aspect of the SAMPLE technique emphasizes the importance of obtaining detailed patient history to guide appropriate medical response. Other options do not directly relate to the initial onset of symptoms. For example, the Last Oral Intake refers to the patient's most recent consumption of food or drink, and Medications pertain to any current medications the patient is taking. Events Leading Up to the Illness, while relevant, is not as specific as the History of Present Illness regarding understanding the immediate context of what caused the patient's situation. Therefore, the inquiry about what brought on the symptoms aligns best with the History of Present Illness.