Which mnemonic is commonly used to gather a detailed patient history during the secondary survey?

Appeared in: BTSC Staff Nurse 31 July-2025

Explanation

The AMPLE mnemonic is a standardized method for obtaining a patient's medical history during the secondary survey of a trauma or emergency assessment.
It follows the primary survey (ABCDE) and is part of a more detailed head-to-toe examination.
The components of AMPLE are: Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last meal, and Events leading to the injury or illness.
This information is crucial for identifying potential contraindications, allergies, and underlying conditions that may affect treatment.

Option A: AVPU is a mnemonic used to assess a patient's level of consciousness (LOC), not to gather a detailed medical history.
Option B: FAST is a specific assessment tool used in the pre-hospital setting to quickly identify the signs of a stroke.
Option C: ABCDE is the mnemonic for the primary survey, which focuses on identifying and managing immediate life-threatening conditions.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Trauma Assessment: Secondary Survey History Taking to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
In a busy emergency department, using the AMPLE mnemonic ensures a systematic and complete history is taken, reducing the risk of medical errors related to allergies or medication interactions.
The 'Last meal' component is particularly important for anesthesiologists if the patient requires emergency surgery, as it helps assess the risk of aspiration during induction of anesthesia.
What if? If a patient is unconscious and cannot provide an AMPLE history, the nurse's priority is to seek this information from family members, paramedics, or any available medical records or bracelets to ensure patient safety.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrases in the question: 'detailed patient history' and 'secondary survey'.
Recall the different stages of trauma assessment. The primary survey (ABCDE) focuses on immediate life threats, while the secondary survey is a more thorough assessment that includes taking a patient history.
Evaluate each mnemonic's purpose. AVPU assesses consciousness (part of the primary survey). FAST is for stroke. ABCDE is the framework for the primary survey itself.
Conclude that AMPLE is the only mnemonic listed that is specifically designed for gathering a patient's history during the secondary survey.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 601-603

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 2 Part 3 p. 113-115

Practise the full BTSC Staff Nurse 31 July-2025

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.