Presenting complaints

A patient who is experiencing pain may be frustrated. The health professional needs to ask questions pertaining to particular parts of the body, question how pain radiates to other parts of the body, and to determine the degree of pain.

Objectives:

  • Recognize the parts of the body
  • Ask about the intensity and degree of pain
  • Use adjectives to describe types of pain
  • Ask about pain movement (radiation of pain)

Listen and repeat

Listen to the following examples and practice repeating the phrases.

Expressions and Examples: Asking about pain

Where does it hurt?

Can you describe the pain?

How bad is it?

Does it go anywhere else?

When does it start?

When does it stop?

How long does the pain last?

How often does it happen?

What relieves the pain?

What triggers the pain?

Is your pain mild, moderate, or severe?

Let’s Listen: Podcast

In this podcast, the patient complains about chest pain. The health professional will ask questions about the pain: location, level, and triggers. Let’s listen to the conversation that is in progress.