DELA CRUZ, MAYBELYN C.

BSN 2-3
HEALTH ASSESSMENT (LEC)

COLDSPA MNEMONIC

Case Scenario:
The nurse interviews Mr. Murdock regarding his experience of pain associated with prostate
cancer and post prostatectomy. Followed by radiation and chemotherapy. He reports back and
leg pain that worsen at night and when walking.

MNEMONIC QUESTION DATA PROVIDED

Character Describe the sign or “ Sharp pain sensation in my back and

symptom. How legs”
does it feel, look,
sound, smell, and
so forth?
Onset When did it begin? “Began after the prostatectomy 8 months
ago”

Location Where is it? Does it “In my back and goes down to my legs”
radiate?
Duration How long does it “It is continuous and hurts when I’m lying
last? Does it recur? on my back”

Seveity How bad is it? On a visual Analog Scale the client rated
the pain as 7/10.
 Pattern What makes it “It hurts when lying on my back at night
better? What especially when walking, but I feel okay
makes it worse? while sitting and resting during the day”

Associated What other The client had prostatectomy for prostate

Factors symptoms occur cancer followed by radiation and
with it? chemotherapy ending 8 months ago.
“During the day, I feel tired and
exhausted, I can’t able to sleep peacefully
at night. The pain bothers me . It also
hurts a lot while walking”