OPQRST is primarily used as a mnemonic for which assessment?

• A. Trauma assessment mnemonic
• B. Pain assessment mnemonic
• C. History gathering mnemonic
• D. Level of consciousness scale

Answer: (B)

OPQRST is a structured way to assess pain. It guides you to ask specific questions about onset (when the pain began), provocation/palliation (what makes it worse or better), quality (what the pain feels like), region/radiation (where it is and whether it spreads), severity (how intense it is, often on a scale), and time (how the pain has changed over time). This focused approach helps you characterize the pain accurately and choose appropriate treatment while tracking response. It’s specifically about pain assessment, not about trauma injuries or broad history gathering, and it’s separate from tools that assess consciousness.