Socrates (pain assessment)
Encyclopedia
SOCRATES is a mnemonic
Mnemonic
A mnemonic , or mnemonic device, is any learning technique that aids memory. To improve long term memory, mnemonic systems are used to make memorization easier. Commonly encountered mnemonics are often verbal, such as a very short poem or a special word used to help a person remember something,...

 acronym used by emergency medical services, doctors, nurses and other health professionals to evaluate the nature of pain
Pain
Pain is an unpleasant sensation often caused by intense or damaging stimuli such as stubbing a toe, burning a finger, putting iodine on a cut, and bumping the "funny bone."...

 that a patient is experiencing.

Meaning of the acronym

The acronym is used to gain an insight into the patient
Patient
A patient is any recipient of healthcare services. The patient is most often ill or injured and in need of treatment by a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, veterinarian, or other health care provider....

's condition, and to allow the Health Care Provider to develop a plan for dealing with it.
  • Site - Where is the pain?
  • Onset - When did the pain start, and was it sudden or gradual?
  • Character - What is the pain like? An ache
    Ache
    Ache may refer to:* Ache, a chronic, painful sensation* Ache , a You've Got Foetus on Your Breath album* "Ache" , a song by No Doubt* Ache Records, a Vancouver-based record label* The American College of Healthcare Executives...

    ? Stabbing?
  • Radiation - Does the pain radiate anywhere? (See also Radiation.)
  • Associations - Any other signs or symptom
    Symptom
    A symptom is a departure from normal function or feeling which is noticed by a patient, indicating the presence of disease or abnormality...

    s 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?
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