SAMPLE is a mnemonic used for gathering what type of information?

• A. History
• B. Vital signs
• C. Pain assessment
• D. Physical examination

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is using a structured interview method to quickly gather a patient’s background information. SAMPLE is a mnemonic that helps you collect six key history elements: Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake, and Events leading up to the present illness or injury. This type of information comes from talking with the patient (or bystanders) and shaping how you understand what’s happening and what risks or constraints might affect care. It’s focused on history, not on objective measurements or hands-on examination.

So, this is about the history you obtain through questioning, not about measuring vital signs, assessing pain with a scale during the interview, or performing a physical exam.