Socrates (pain assessment)

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SOCRATES is a mnemonic acronym used by emergency medical services, doctors, nurses and other health professionals to evaluate the nature of pain that a patient is experiencing.

Meaning of the acronym

The acronym is used to gain an insight into the patient's condition, and to allow the Health Care Provider to develop a plan for dealing with it.[1][2]

  • Site - Where is the pain? Or the maximal site of the pain.
  • Onset - When did the pain start, and was it sudden or gradual? Include also whether if it is progressive or regressive.
  • Character - What is the pain like? An ache? Stabbing?
  • Radiation - Does the pain radiate anywhere? (See also Radiation.)
  • Associations - Any other signs or symptoms associated with the pain?
  • Time course - Does the pain follow any pattern?
  • Exacerbating/Relieving factors - Does anything change the pain?
  • Severity - How bad is the pain?

See also

References

  1. Clayton, Holly A. (2000). "SOCRATES on Pain Assessment". MedSurg Nursing. Retrieved 2008-03-31. 
  2. "SOCRATES Acronym". Retrieved 2008-03-31. 
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