OPQRST Method for Pain Assessment

O = Onset
P = Provokes
o What causes pain?
o What makes it better?

o Worse?

Q = Quality
o What does it feel like?
o Is it sharp?

o Dull?

o Stabbing?

o Burning?

o Crushing? ( Try to let patient describe the pain, sometimes they say what they think you
would like to hear. )

R = Radiates
o Where does the pain radiate?
o Is it in one place?

o Does it go anywhere else?

o Did it start elsewhere and now localised to one spot?

S = Severity
o How severe is the pain on a scale of 1 - 10?

( This is a difficult one as the rating will differ from patient to patient. )

T = Time
o Time pain started?
o How long did it last?

Other questions to ask and look for....

o Any medication or allergies?

o Does it hurt on deep inspiration?

o Activity @ onset?

o Any history of pain?

o Is it the same?

o Different?

o Any family history of heart disease lung problems, stroke or hypertension?

o Check LOC.

o Pupils?

o JVD?

o Midline trachea?

o Any recent trauma