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.
- 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?
