history

(his′tŏ-rē)

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[L. historia, fr Gr. historia, istoriē, inquiry, investigation, learning by inquiry or investigation]
ABBR: Hx In the health care professions, a systematic record of past events as they relate to a person and his or her medical background. A carefully taken medical, surgical, and occupational history will enable diagnosis in about 80% of patients.
SYN: SEE: medical history

TECHNIQUE
The patient should be given the opportunity to describe his or her symptoms in his or her own words, fully, completely, and without interruption. The examiner encourages the patient to speak by maintaining a sympathetic and nonjudgmental attitude. After the patient finishes his or her explanations, the examiner usually asks carefully chosen questions to elicit details about an illness and to gain deeper insights.

SEE: nursing assessment

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