Hover over the Patient Data items below to reveal important information, including Pro Tips and Example Questions.
Table of Contents
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Tina Jones Mental Health Shadow Health Subjective Data
Subjective Data Collection: 44 out of 44 (100.0%)
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Move your mouse over the Patient Data points below to uncover important details, including Professional Tips and Example Questions.
Found:
Shows an item you discovered.
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Category
Scored Items
Experts chose these topics as crucial parts of a thorough interview with this patient.
Patient Data
Not Scored
Using a mix of open and closed questions improves patient data. The following details are facts about the patient’s situation.
Main Concern
Finding:
Confirmed main concern
Finding:
Mentions trouble sleeping and feeling anxious
(Found)
Professional Tip: Starting with fundamental questions can help the patient explain their worries in their own words.
Example Question:
Why did you come in today?
Finding:
Expresses seeking help due to an upcoming exam and feeling too distracted to study
(Available)
Professional Tip: Starting with fundamental questions can help the patient explain their worries in their own words. It’s important to ask Tina why she sought help to understand any recent changes in her situation that might have made it more urgent for her to seek help.
Example Question:
What made you decide to seek help?
Shadow Health Tina Jones Respiratory Objective and subjective data
Finding:
Describes excessive worry and racing thoughts before bedtime
(Found)
Professional Tip: Basic questions at the start of an interview can help the patient share their concerns. Tina mentions feeling nervous before bed, which affects her sleep. It’s crucial to ask follow-up questions to get more details about what feeling nervous means to her.
Example Question:
How do you feel before going to bed?
Present Illness History
Finding:
Asked about when symptoms started and how long they’ve been happening
Finding:
Mentions trouble sleeping started 3 1/2 weeks ago
(Found)
Professional Tip: Knowing if the symptoms appeared gradually or suddenly is important for diagnosis. For Tina, this information helps understand what might be causing her sleep troubles.
Example Question:
How long have you been having trouble sleeping?
Finding:
Reports having sleep issues regularly for the past 3 1/2 weeks
(Found)
Professional Tip: Knowing how long the symptoms have been going on helps assess if the problem is recent or ongoing. In Tina’s case, it helps determine if she has chronic insomnia or a temporary sleep problem.
Example Question:
How long have you been experiencing difficulty sleeping?
Finding:
Asked how often the symptoms occur
Finding:
Mentions having trouble sleeping four or five times a week
(Found)
Professional Tip: Asking specifically about the frequency of symptoms within a certain timeframe provides the most accurate information. For Tina, it’s important to know she struggles with sleep disturbances most nights of the week.
Example Question:
How many nights per week do you struggle with sleep?
Finding:
Asked about factors that make the symptoms worse
Finding:
Mentions finding it harder to sleep when unable to stop worrying about things
(Available)
Professional Tip: Asking about factors that worsen symptoms helps understand what might be making the problem worse. For Tina, it’s crucial to know what she believes makes falling asleep more difficult.
Example Question:
What makes it difficult for you to sleep?
Finding:
Denies taking naps during the day
(Available)
Professional Tip: Asking about known factors that worsen the issue helps narrow down possibilities. While occasional short naps are okay, frequent or long naps might interfere with Tina’s ability to fall asleep and could indicate issues with staying awake during the day.
Example Question:
Do you nap during the day?
Finding:
Mentions using caffeine to stay awake
(Found)
Professional Tip: Asking about known factors that worsen the issue helps narrow down possibilities. While caffeine helps Tina stay alert, consuming too much might disrupt her sleep.
Example Question:
Do you drink caffeinated beverages?
Finding:
Mentions stopping caffeine intake after 4 P.M.
(Found)
Professional Tip: Asking follow-up questions helps gauge how much a certain factor might be contributing to the issue. If Tina had caffeine late in the day, it could be affecting her ability to sleep.
Example Question:
When do you usually stop drinking caffeine?
Finding:
Denies drinking alcohol before bed
(Found)
Professional Tip: Asking about known factors that worsen the issue helps narrow down possibilities. Alcohol consumption before bed can interfere with sleep, so it’s important to know if Tina drinks it to help her sleep.
Example Question:
Do you consume alcohol before going to bed?
Finding:
Denies using drugs before bed
(Found)
Professional Tip: Asking about known factors that worsen the issue helps narrow down possibilities. Knowing if Tina uses drugs to help her sleep is crucial, as they could contribute to her sleep problems.
Example Question:
Do you use any drugs before bedtime?
Finding:
Mentions respiratory issues being under control and not affecting sleep
(Found)
Professional Tip: Asking about known factors that worsen the issue helps narrow down possibilities. Tina’s asthma needs to be considered, as respiratory problems can impact sleep quality. Her use of albuterol before bed could also affect her anxiety.
Example Question:
Do you think your sleep problems could be related to breathing issues?
Finding:
Asked about things that make the symptoms better
Finding:
Mentions sleeping better if she can distract herself from racing thoughts
(Available)
Professional Tip: Asking about factors that improve symptoms helps identify potential coping mechanisms. For Tina, understanding what helps her sleep is crucial.
Example Question:
What helps you fall asleep?
Finding:
Denies engaging in exercise
(Found)
Professional Tip: Asking about known factors that improve symptoms helps with diagnosis and treatment. Exercise is known to enhance sleep quality, so it’s important to know if Tina engages in physical activity.
Example Question:
Do you participate in any physical activity?
Finding:
Asked about how symptoms affect daily life
Finding:
Mentions feeling tired and mentally foggy most of the day due to lack of sleep
(Found)
Professional Tip: Asking about the impact of symptoms on daily life helps assess their severity and effects. Despite her sleep issues, Tina can still perform her usual activities, indicating her insomnia is not severe but still affects her.
Example Question:
How does your lack of sleep impact your daily activities?
Finding:
Denies experiencing increased daytime drowsiness despite lack of sleep
(Available)
Professional Tip: Asking about specific effects on daily life related to the symptoms helps assess severity and diagnose. If Tina were falling asleep unintentionally during the day, it might indicate a more severe sleep disorder.
Example Question:
Have you been unintentionally falling asleep during the day?
xxx
Finding:
Inquired about use of sleep medications
Finding:
Denies using over-the-counter sleep aids
(Found)
Professional Tip: Even if you’ve seen a patient before, it’s important to ask about medication, especially if they’re treating their main concern. For Tina, asking about over-the-counter sleep aids is crucial to understanding potential alleviating factors and effects on her daytime drowsiness.
Example Question:
Have you been taking any over-the-counter medications to help you sleep?
Finding:
Denies using prescription sleep medications
(Found)
Professional Tip: Even with established patients, it’s important to ask about medication, as it might have changed. Tina’s response about prescription sleep medication helps understand if she sought help elsewhere or if she has a history of treatment for her sleep issues.
Example Question:
Have you been prescribed any medications to help with sleep?
Finding:
Confirmed allergies
Finding:
Confirms allergies (no new
allergies reported)
(Found)
Professional Tip: It’s standard to ask about allergies at each visit, even for established patients, to catch any new triggers or symptoms.
Example Question:
Have you developed any new allergies?
Finding:
Inquired about past sleep issues
Finding:
Mentions usually falling asleep easily and sleeping soundly
(Found)
Professional Tip: Understanding the history of the current issue is essential for diagnosis and treatment. Tina’s past sleep patterns help narrow down potential causes.
Example Question:
Have you had any sleep problems before?
Finding:
Mentions previous sleep issues occurring for a few months after her father’s death but resolving on their own
(Found)
Professional Tip: Understanding the history of the current issue is essential for diagnosis and treatment. Tina’s past experience with sleep problems, triggered by a difficult time, provides valuable insights for diagnosis and treatment.
Example Question:
Have you struggled with falling asleep before?
Psychological History
Finding:
Inquired about past psychiatric issues
Finding:
Denies history of depression
(Found)
Professional Tip: Distinguishing between depression and anxiety is important, as they can overlap. Depression can contribute to sleep issues, and vice versa. Tina’s history of depression would be relevant to her current sleep problems.
Example Question:
Have you ever experienced depression?
Finding:
Denies history of anxiety
(Found)
Professional Tip: Anxiety often accompanies sleep issues, and lack of sleep can worsen anxiety. Tina’s history of anxiety would be relevant to her current sleep problems.
Example Question:
Have you ever experienced anxiety?
Finding:
Denies current psychiatric issues
(Found)
Professional Tip: Conducting a thorough mental health assessment involves asking about current mental health status. In Tina’s case, it’s important to ask about general mental health and specific psychiatric disorders to rule them out.
Example Question:
Do you have any current psychiatric issues?
Finding:
Denies history of psychiatric issues
(Found)
Professional Tip: In any patient interview, asking about relevant medical history is crucial. Since Tina’s visit is about mental health, asking about her psychiatric history is essential.
Example Question:
Have you ever had any psychiatric issues?
Finding:
Denies bipolar disorder
(Found)
Professional Tip: A comprehensive mental health assessment involves inquiring about various psychiatric disorders. In Tina’s case, asking about bipolar disorder helps rule it out as a factor.
Example Question:
Have you been diagnosed with bipolar disorder?
Finding:
Denies schizophrenia
(Found)
Professional Tip: A thorough mental health assessment includes asking about various psychiatric disorders. In Tina’s case, asking about schizophrenia helps rule it out.
Example Question:
Have you been diagnosed with schizophrenia?
Finding:
Denies obsessive-compulsive disorder
(Found)
Professional Tip: A comprehensive mental health assessment involves asking about various psychiatric disorders. In Tina’s case, asking about obsessive-compulsive disorder helps rule it out.
Example Question:
Have you been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder?
Finding:
Denies past psychiatric treatment
(Found)
Professional Tip: Even without a formal diagnosis, a patient may have received treatment for psychiatric issues. Tina’s history of psychiatric treatment, if any, provides valuable context for her current condition.
Example Question:
Have you received treatment for any psychiatric issues?
Finding:
Denies past use of psychotropic medications
(Found)
Professional Tip: Past medication history is relevant to the present illness. Since Tina’s visit concerns mental health, asking about past psychotropic medication is important.
Example Question:
Have you ever taken medication for psychiatric issues?
Finding:
Inquired about depression symptoms
Finding:
Mentions believing she doesn’t have symptoms of depression
(Found)
Professional Tip: Patients with depression might not always recognize their symptoms. Asking about depression symptoms helps understand if they contribute to sleep issues, or if sleep problems contribute to depression.
Example Question:
Do you experience any symptoms of depression?
Finding:
Denies difficulty making decisions
(Found)
Professional Tip: Difficulty making decisions is a sign of depression. Asking Tina about this helps with diagnosis and assessing severity.
Example Question:
Do you find it hard to make decisions?
Finding:
Mentions slightly lower energy due to lack of sleep
(Available)
Professional Tip: Reduced energy levels are a symptom of depression. Asking Tina about this helps with diagnosis and assessing severity.
Example Question:
Have you felt less energetic than usual?
Finding:
Denies feelings of guilt or worthlessness
(Available)
Professional Tip: Feelings of guilt or worthlessness are symptoms of depression. Asking Tina about this helps with diagnosis and assessing severity.
Example Question:
Do you feel guilty without reason?
Finding:
Denies feelings of hopelessness
(Available)
Professional Tip: Feelings of hopelessness are symptoms of depression. Asking Tina about this helps with diagnosis and assessing severity.
Example Question:
Do you feel hopeless?
Finding:
Denies loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities
(Available)
Professional Tip: Losing interest in enjoyable activities is a symptom of depression. Asking Tina about this helps with diagnosis and assessing severity.
Tina Jones Mental Health Shadow Health Subjective Data
Category
Scored Items
Experts selected these topics as essential components of a strong, thorough interview with this patient.
Patient Data
Not Scored
A combination of open and closed questions will yield better patient data. The following details are facts of the patient’s case.
Chief Complaint
Finding:
Established chief complaint
Finding:
Reports difficulty sleeping and “feeling nervous”
(Found)
Pro Tip: Foundational questions to open an interview will help the patient tell you what’s bothering her in her own words.Example Question:
What brings you in today?
Finding:
Reports seeking treatment because she has an upcoming exam and feels “too foggy to study”
(Available)
Pro Tip: Foundational questions will help the patient tell you what’s bothering her in her own words. It is important to ask Tina why she sought treatment to get an understanding of any recent changes with her complaint that could have made it more severe or urgent, prompting her to come in.Example Question:
Why did you decide to seek treatment?
Finding:
Reports excessive worry and “racing thoughts” before bed
(Found)
Pro Tip: Foundational questions to open an interview will help the patient tell you what’s bothering her in her own words. Tina says that she “feels nervous” before bed, and it is interfering with her sleep. It is important to ask a follow-up question to gain more details about what feeling nervous means to her.Example Question:
How do you feel just before bed?
History of Present Illness
Finding:
Asked about onset and duration of symptoms
Finding:
Reports difficulty sleeping began 3 1/2 weeks ago
(Found)
Pro Tip: Determining if the onset of a complaint was gradual or acute is important for diagnosis. In Tina’s case, you will need this information to assess what could be causing her sleep disturbance.Example Question:
How long have you been having trouble sleeping?
Finding:
Reports sleep difficulties have been occurring regularly during past 3 1/2 weeks
(Found)
Pro Tip: Knowledge of the duration of a complaint will help you assess if the issue is recent or chronic. In Tina’s case, you will need this information to assess if she is suffering from chronic insomnia or a more acute sleep disturbance.Example Question:
How long have your sleeping difficulties lasted?
Finding:
Asked about frequency of symptoms
Finding:
Reports difficulty sleeping at least four or five times a week
(Found)
Pro Tip: A precise question the number of occurrences of the issue in an allotted span of time will give you the most accurate estimation of frequency. In Tina’s case, it is important to know that she is suffering sleep disturbances for the majority of nights in a given week.Example Question:
How many nights a week do you have trouble sleeping?
Finding:
Asked about aggravating factors
Finding:
Reports sleeping becomes more difficult when she can not redirect her thoughts from the things she is worried about
(Available)
Pro Tip: An open question about aggravating factors can be used to assess what could be exacerbating the patient’s complaint, as well as her knowledge of those factors. For Tina, it is important to understand what she thinks makes it more difficult for her to fall asleep.Example Question:
What makes it harder to sleep?
Finding:
Denies naps during the day
(Available)
Pro Tip: A closed question about factors that are known to aggravate the complaint will help you to eliminate the most salient possibilities. Though one short nap a day is fine, frequent or extended naps could have been making it more difficult for Tina to fall asleep, and could also indicate an inability to stay awake during her activities of daily living.Example Question:
Do you take naps?
Finding:
Reports drinking caffeine to stay alert
(Found)
Pro Tip: A closed question about factors that are known to aggravate the complaint will help you to eliminate the most salient possibilities. Though caffeine helps Tina to stay alert, drinking too much caffeine could interfere with her sleep.Example Question:
Do you drink caffeine?
Finding:
Reports stopping caffeine use after 4 P.M.
(Found)
Pro Tip: This follow-up question is needed to assess how likely it is that caffeine consumption is interfering with sleep. If Tina were drinking caffeine late in the afternoon or at night, it would very likely be aggravating, or even causing, her sleep disturbance.Example Question:
When do you usually have your last caffeinated drink?
Finding:
Denies alcohol use before bed
(Found)
Pro Tip: A closed question about factors that are known to aggravate the complaint will help you to eliminate the most salient possibilities. Alcohol consumption before bed has been shown to interfere with homeostasis, which regulates sleep, and can even lead to insomnia, so it is important to know if Tina is drinking it to fall asleep.Example Question:
Do you drink alcohol before bed?
Finding:
Denies drug use before bed
(Found)
Pro Tip: A closed question about factors that are known to aggravate the complaint will help you to eliminate the most salient possibilities. It is important to know if Tina is using drugs to help her fall asleep because they could, in fact, be contributing to her sleep disturbance.Example Question:
Do you use drugs before bed?
Finding:
Reports respiratory problems are controlled and not interfering with sleep
(Found)
Pro Tip: A closed question about factors that are known to aggravate the complaint will help you to eliminate the most salient possibilities. Tina has asthma, and it is important to rule out respiratory issues as a contributing factor to, or even because of, her sleep disturbance. Tina also has an albuterol prescription, which, if she were using it before bed, could be aggravating or causing her anxiety.Example Question:
Do you think your sleep problems could be due to breathing issues?
Finding:
Asked about relieving factors
Finding:
Reports sleeping more easily if she can distract herself from her “racing thoughts”
(Available)
Pro Tip: An open question about alleviating factors can be used to assess what brings relief to the patient, as well as her knowledge of those factors. For Tina, it is important to understand what she thinks makes it easier for her to fall asleep.Example Question:
What helps you sleep?
Finding:
Reports no exercise
(Found)
Pro Tip: A closed question about factors known to alleviate the complaint will help you diagnose and treat the issue. Exercise is known to improve sleep, so it is important to assess Tina’s exercise level.Example Question:
Do you exercise?
Finding:
Asked about impact of sleeping problems on daily living
Finding:
Reports feeling tired and “out of it” most of the time during the day due to lack of sleep
(Found)
Pro Tip: An open question about the effects of the complaint on a patient’s daily life will help you to get a general idea of the severity of the issue as well as allow you to understand how the patient is dealing with and affected by it. In Tina’s case, though her focus and energy is hampered by her sleep disturbance, she is able to perform all of her usual activities of daily living, meaning her insomnia is not severe, but it is debilitating.Example Question:
How does your lack of sleep affect your daily life?
Finding:
Reports no increased chance of drifting off during the day despite lack of sleep
(Available)
Pro Tip: A closed question about a specific effect on daily life commonly seen with a patient’s complaint can help you to assess severity, diagnose, and treat it. If Tina were falling asleep without intending to, it could indicate a more severe sleep disorder as well as a more debilitating effect on her daily life.Example Question:
Have you been falling asleep when you didn’t mean to?
Finding:
Followed up about sleep medication use
Finding:
Denies taking OTC sleep medications
(Found)
Pro Tip: Even if you have seen a patient before, it is important to ask about medications in case they have changed since the last visit, especially if they are taking anything to treat their chief complaint. In Tina’s case, asking about over the counter sleep medications is important in understanding possible alleviating factors as well as if an over the counter sleep medication could be contributing to her drowsiness during the day.Example Question:
Have you been taking over the counter medications to help you sleep?
Finding:
Denies taking prescription sleep medications
(Found)
Pro Tip: Even if you have seen a patient before, it is important to ask about medications in case they have changed since the last visit, especially if they are taking anything to treat their chief complaint. If Tina were taking prescription sleep medication, it could indicate that she has seen someone else about her sleep disturbance or that she has been treated for this problem in the past.Example Question:
Have you been taking prescribed medication to help you sleep?
Finding:
Confirmed allergies
Finding:
Confirms allergies (no new allergies reported)
(Found)
Pro Tip: It’s best practice to ask a patient about her allergies each visit, even with an established patient, to uncover any new allergy triggers or symptoms.Example Question:
Have you had any new allergies?
Finding:
Asked about history of sleep problems
Finding:
Reports usually falls asleep very easily and “sleeps like a log”
(Found)
Pro Tip: Assessing the history of a patient’s present illness is essential to diagnosis and treatment of the complaint. Knowing that until recently Tina hadn’t had similar sleep issues will help you narrow down possible causes.Example Question:
Do you have a history of sleep problems?
Finding:
Reports only past sleep problems occurred for a few months after her father died, but they resolved on their own
(Found)
Pro Tip: Assessing the history of a patient’s present illness is essential to diagnosis and treatment of the complaint. Knowing that Tina had similar sleep problems during a difficult time in her life, and that the problem resolved itself, is integral to diagnosis and treatment.Example Question:
Have you had difficulty falling asleep before?
Psychological History
Finding:
Asked about history of psychiatric illness
Finding:
Denies history of depression
(Found)
Pro Tip: Differentiating between depression and anxiety can sometimes be difficult, and often a patient will have both. Depression is also often a contributing factor in sleep disturbance, and sleep disturbance can also often contribute to depression. If Tina had a history of depression, it could be contributing to her sleep issues.Example Question:
Have you ever had depression?
Finding:
Denies history of anxiety
(Found)
Pro Tip: Anxiety is a common cause of sleep disturbance, and lack of sleep can also contribute to anxiety issues. If Tina had a history of anxiety, it could be causing or aggravating her current sleep disturbance.Example Question:
Do you have a history of anxiety?
Finding:
Denies current psychiatric illness
(Found)
Pro Tip: When performing a mental health assessment, it is essential to do a complete mental status exam. However, asking a patient about possible current psychiatric illness in order to understand her mental health status is also important. In Tina’s case, you should ask her generally about her mental health, and you should also ask about specific psychiatric disorders to rule them out.Example Question:
Do you have a psychiatric illness?
Finding:
Denies history of psychiatric illness
(Found)
Pro Tip: As with any patient interview, it is important to ask about any relevant medical history. Tina is here for her mental health, so asking about her history of psychiatric illness is essential.Example Question:
Do you have a history of psychiatric illness?
Finding:
Denies bipolar disorder
(Found)
Pro Tip: When performing a mental health assessment, it is essential to do a complete mental status exam. However, asking a patient about possible current psychiatric illness in order to understand her mental health status is also important. In Tina’s case, you should ask her generally about her mental health, and you should also ask about bipolar disorder to rule it out.Example Question:
Do you have bipolar disorder?
Finding:
Denies schizophrenia
(Found)
Pro Tip: When performing a mental health assessment, it is essential to do a complete mental status exam. However, asking a patient about possible current psychiatric illness in order to understand her mental health status is also important. In Tina’s case, you should ask her generally about her mental health, and you should also ask about schizophrenia to rule it out.Example Question:
Do you have schizophrenia?
Finding:
Denies obsessive compulsive disorder
(Found)
Pro Tip: When performing a mental health assessment, it is essential to do a complete mental status exam. However, asking a patient about possible current psychiatric illness in order to understand her mental health status is also important. In Tina’s case, you should ask her generally about her mental health, and you should also ask about obsessive compulsive disorder to rule it out.Example Question:
Do you have obsessive compulsive disorder?
Finding:
Denies past psychiatric treatment
(Found)
Pro Tip: Even if a patient has not been diagnosed with a psychiatric illness, she could have seen a counselor, therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist in the past. Asking Tina about past treatment could give you important context for diagnosis.Example Question:
Do you have a history of psychiatric illness?
Finding:
Denies past psychotropic medications
(Found)
Pro Tip: Knowledge of past medications is integral to the history of the present illness. Tina is here for a mental health assessment, so it is important to ask her about any past medications for psychiatric illness.Example Question:
Have you ever taken psychotropic medication?
Finding:
Asked about symptoms to determine depression risk
Finding:
Reports belief she does not have depression symptoms
(Found)
Pro Tip: While a patient with depression does not always know she has it, it is important to ask. If Tina had depression, it could be contributing to her sleep disturbance, or her sleep disturbance could be causing or aggravating or depression.Example Question:
Do you have symptoms of depression?
Finding:
Reports no difficulty making decisions
(Found)
Pro Tip: Difficulty making decisions is an important indicator of depression. Asking Tina about this will help you to come to a differential diagnosis and determine severity.Example Question:
Do you have difficulty making decisions?
Finding:
Reports slightly decreased energy due to lack of sleep
(Available)
Pro Tip: An uncharacteristic lack of energy is an important indicator of depression. Asking Tina about this will help you to come to a differential diagnosis and determine severity.Example Question:
Have you had less energy than usual?
Finding:
Denies feelings of guilt or worthlessness
(Available)
Pro Tip: Feelings of guilt or worthlessness are important indicators of depression. Asking Tina about this will help you to come to a differential diagnosis and determine severity.Example Question:
Have you been feeling guilty for no reason?
Finding:
Denies feelings of hopelessness
(Available)
Pro Tip: Feelings of hopelessness are important indicators of depression. Asking Tina about this will help you to come to a differential diagnosis and determine severity.Example Question:
Have you been feeling hopeless?
Finding:
Denies loss of enjoyment in activities usually found enjoyable
(Available)
Pro Tip: A loss of enjoyment in activities usually found enjoyable is an important indicator of depression. Asking Tina about this will help you to come to a differential diagnosis and determine severity.Example Question:
Have you had trouble enjoying your usual activities?
Finding:
Reports slightly less appetite because she feels “a little queasy” from lack of sleep
(Found)
Pro Tip: An unusual increase or decrease in appetite is an important indicator of depression. Asking Tina about this will help you come to a differential diagnosis and determine severity.Example Question:
Have you had a change in appetite?
Finding:
Denies feelings of sadness
(Found)
Pro Tip: Feeling sad is an important indicator of depression. Asking Tina about this will help you to come to a differential diagnosis and determine severity.Example Question:
Have you been feeling sad?
Finding:
Asked about suicidal tendencies
Finding:
Denies suicidal thoughts
(Found)
Pro Tip: When assessing mental health risk factors, it is important to rule out your patient as a suicide risk. Tina would be considered a suicide risk if she had been thinking about or planning to commit suicide.Example Question:
Have you ever had suicidal thoughts?
Finding:
Denies suicidal behaviors
(Found)
Pro Tip: When assessing mental health risk factors, it is important to rule out your patient as a suicide risk. Tina would be considered a suicide risk if she had ever engaged in suicidal behavior.Example Question:
Have you ever done something that could end your life?
Finding:
Denies past suicide attempts
(Found)
Pro Tip: When assessing mental health risk factors, it is important to rule out your patient as a suicide risk. Tina would be considered a suicide risk if she had attempted suicide recently or in the past.Example Question:
Have you attempted suicide in the past?
Finding:
Asked about self-harm
Finding:
Denies history of self-harm
(Found)
Pro Tip: Self-harm is an indicator of psychiatric disorders as well as a potential risk for suicide. Knowing if Tina has engaged in self-harm is important to assessing her mental health and her safety.Example Question:
Have you ever intentionally hurt yourself?
Finding:
Asked about past trauma
Finding:
Denies past trauma
(Found)
Pro Tip: Recurring traumatic memories could indicate post-traumatic stress disorder, a significant aspect of a patient’s mental health and well-being. If Tina had traumatic memories, it would be important to assess PTSD as a risk factor.Example Question:
Have you ever had repeated, disturbing memories of a stressful experience from the past?
Finding:
Asked about history of violent thoughts
Finding:
Denies angry outbursts
(Found)
Pro Tip: Difficulty controlling anger is an indicator of psychiatric illness as well as a potential risk to others. Asking Tina about anger is important in assessing her mental health and safety.Example Question:
Have you ever had angry outbursts?
Finding:
Denies past violent behavior
(Found)
Pro Tip: Violence is an indicator of psychiatric illness as well as a potential risk to others. Asking Tina about violence is important in assessing her mental health and safety.Example Question:
Have you ever behaved violently?
Finding:
Denies desire to harm others
(Available)
Pro Tip: Homicidal ideation or a desire to harm others is an indicator of psychiatric illness as well as a potential risk to others. Asking Tina about any potential desire to harm other people is important in assessing her mental health and safety.Example Question:
Have you ever wanted to hurt someone else?
Social History – Education and Work
Finding:
Asked about employment status
Finding:
Currently employed
(Found)
Pro Tip: It is important to know whether or not a patient is employed when assessing her mental status. In Tina’s case, a change in her employment status could be a result of her mental health, or could be affecting it. The fact that she is employed lets you know she is financially secure, but it could also mean work is a source of her stress.Example Question:
Are you employed?
Finding:
Works for a shipping company
(Found)
Pro Tip: A patient’s employment can be an indicator of financial stability, education level, personal interests, and level of responsibility. In Tina’s case, a different workplace could signal instability in her life, which could be a source of her stress. The fact that she is still employed by the same company indicates stability in this area of her life.Example Question:
Where do you work?
xx
Social History – Housing and Support Network
Finding:
Asked about living situation
Finding:
Lives in a house
(Found)
Pro Tip: A patient’s housing is an indicator of finances and comfort. If Tina had recently undergone a change in housing, it could be contributing to her stress.Example Question:
Can you tell me about your housing?
Finding:
Lives at home with mother and sister
(Found)
Pro Tip: A patient who lives with friends or family has a definite support system, so it is important to ask her about her living situation. If Tina had recently stopped living with her mother and sister, or if living with family were causing problems, this could be contributing to her stress.Example Question:
Do you live with anyone?
Finding:
Asked about family dynamics
Finding:
Has a brother and a sister
(Available)
Pro Tip: A patient’s siblings can form part or all of her support network, and her relationship with them can indicate mental health status and/or childhood experiences, so asking about them is important. Tina lives with her sister and sees her brother often, which means they could be a source of support or stress for her.Example Question:
Do you have siblings?
Finding:
Father died in a car accident almost two years ago
(Available)
Pro Tip: A patient’s parents can form part or all of her support network, and her relationship with them can indicate mental health status and/or child experiences, so asking about them is important. Tina lost her father almost two years ago, so assessing her feelings about that loss is important to assessing her mental health. Tina also lives with her mother, so their relationship could be an important source of support or stress.Example Question:
Can you tell me about your parents?
Finding:
Reports family is “tight knit” and gets along well
(Found)
Pro Tip: How a patient gets along with family is an important indicator of the existence of a support network, childhood experiences, and/or mental health. Tina sees her family as her responsibility, but also as a source of support, so it is important to ask her about them in order to assess if they could be contributing to her stress.Example Question:
Does your family get along well?
Finding:
Asked about support network
Finding:
Reports close group of friends from middle and high school as well as from church
(Found)
Pro Tip: It is important to ask a patient about her support network, including her friends. Asking Tina about her relationships with her friends is also important in assessing her stress levels and the demands of her current schedule.Example Question:
Who are your friends?
Finding:
Spends time with friends “a few times a month,” though less so with her recent schedule
(Available)
Pro Tip: It is important to ask a patient about her support network, including her friends. Asking Tina about her relationships with her friends is also important in assessing her stress levels and the demands of her current schedule.Example Question:
How often do you spend time with friends?
Finding:
Asked about spirituality
Finding:
Identifies as Baptist
(Available)
Pro Tip: Spirituality can be a significant factor in a patient’s mental status and coping strategies. Tina is a lifelong Baptist and regularly attends church, so it is important to ask her about her spirituality in order to assess her mental health.Example Question:
What are your religious beliefs?
Finding:
Reports attending Baptist church regularly since childhood
(Found)
Pro Tip: Spirituality can be a significant factor in a patient’s mental status and coping strategies. Tina is a lifelong Baptist and regularly attends church, so it is important to ask her about her spirituality in order to assess her mental health.Example Question:
Do you attend church regularly?
Social History – Substance Use
Finding:
Asked about substance use
Finding:
Reports past marijuana use
(Found)
Pro Tip: Substance abuse can be an indicator of, or a contributing factor to, psychiatric illness. Assessing Tina’s history of drug use is important to understanding her risk factors.Example Question:
Have you ever used drugs?
xxx
Finding:
Reports last smoked marijuana when she was “20 or 21” years old
(Available)
Pro Tip: Any past substance use can be considered a risk factor, but if a patient had recently stopped using drugs it could indicate a potential for relapse or that drug use could still be affecting her mental health. Asking Tina how long ago she stopped smoking marijuana could help you to understand how her past drug use fits into her psychiatric history.Example Question:
When did you stop smoking marijuana?
Finding:
Reports quitting marijuana because it “just wasn’t fun anymore” and was bad for her asthma
(Found)
Pro Tip: A patient may have stopped using substances due to adverse effects on her mental and physical wellbeing. Asking Tina why she stopped smoking marijuana could help you to understand how her substance use affected her mentally and physically.Example Question:
Why did you stop smoking marijuana?
Finding:
Reports marijuana use was for recreation, not to treat or mitigate specific symptoms
(Available)
Pro Tip: A patient may use substances as a form of self-medication for psychiatric illness. Asking Tina why she smoked marijuana could help you to understand how her past drug use fits into her psychiatric history.Example Question:
Why did you smoke marijuana?
Finding:
Asked about alcohol use
Finding:
Confirms alcohol use
(Found)
Pro Tip: Alcohol abuse can be an indicator of, or a contributing factor to, psychiatric illness. Tina’s alcohol use could be a risk factor, so it is important to assess her alcohol consumption in order to rule out addiction or dependency.Example Question:
Do you drink alcohol?
Finding:
Reports going out “a couple times a month”
(Found)
Pro Tip: Alcohol abuse can be an indicator of, or a contributing factor to, psychiatric illness. Tina drinks alcohol, so it is important to ask her follow-up questions in order to rule out dependency and addiction when assessing her mental health. Knowing how often she drinks alcohol will help you to asses if her use of it is a risk factor.Example Question:
How often do you drink alcohol?
Finding:
Reports having “a few drinks” when she goes out
(Available)
Pro Tip: Alcohol abuse can be an indicator of, or a contributing factor to, psychiatric illness. Tina drinks alcohol, so it is important to ask her follow-up questions in order to rule out dependency and addiction when assessing her mental health. Knowing how much alcohol she drinks will help you to asses if her use of it is a risk factor.Example Question:
How much alcohol do you drink?
Finding:
Reports 10-12 alcoholic drinks per month
(Available)
Pro Tip: Alcohol abuse can be an indicator of, or a contributing factor to, psychiatric illness. Tina drinks alcohol, so it is important to ask her follow-up questions in order to rule out dependency and addiction when assessing her mental health. It is essential, when checking for risk of alcohol dependency, to ask specific questions in order to discern exactly how many drinks she has per month.Example Question:
How many drinks do you have per month?
Finding:
Reports drinking to “relax and blow off steam”
(Available)
Pro Tip: Alcohol abuse can be an indicator of, or a contributing factor to, psychiatric illness. Asking Tina why she drinks alcohol can help you to rule out self-medication and/or dependency.Example Question:
Why do you drink alcohol?
Finding:
Denies that anyone has asked her to stop drinking
(Available)
Pro Tip: Alcohol abuse can be an indicator of, or a contributing factor to, psychiatric illness. If people close to Tina had asked her to stop drinking, it would be an important indicator of possible alcohol dependency.Example Question:
Has anyone asked you to stop drinking?
Finding:
Denies guilt associated with drinking
(Available)
Pro Tip: Alcohol abuse can be an indicator of, or a contributing factor to, psychiatric illness. If Tina felt guilty after drinking, it could indicate she was drinking too much, and/or engaging in risky or uncharacteristic behavior when under the influence, which would be an important indicator of possible alcohol dependency.Example Question:
Do you ever feel guilty after drinking?
Finding:
Asked about drinking and driving
Finding:
Reports that she and her friends “usually take a cab”
(Found)
Pro Tip: Driving under the influence is dangerous, and it can indicate alcohol dependency. If Tina were driving drunk, or riding in cars with a drunk driver, it would indicate alcohol dependency as a risk factor.Example Question:
How do you get home when you have been drinking?
Finding:
Asked about tobacco use
Finding:
Denies history of tobacco use
(Found)
Pro Tip: Tobacco can affect mental health, so it is important to ask a patient about her tobacco use. Asking Tina about tobacco is recommended because it can contribute to stress and feelings of anxiety.Example Question:
Have you ever used tobacco?
Finding:
Denies current tobacco use
(Found)
Pro Tip: Tobacco can affect mental health, so it is important to ask a patient about her tobacco use. Asking Tina about tobacco use is recommended because tobacco can contribute to stress and feelings of anxiety.Example Question:
Do you use tobacco?
Finding:
Asked about prescription drug abuse
Finding:
Denies prescription drug abuse
(Found)
Pro Tip: Abuse of prescription drugs can be an indicator of, or a contributing factor to, psychiatric illness. If Tina were abusing prescription drugs it would be a definite risk factor for her mental health.Example Question:
Have you taken drugs not prescribed to you?
Social History – Relationship and Sexual History
Finding:
Asked about relationship status
Finding:
Currently single
(Found)
Pro Tip: Romantic and sexual relationships are an important part of a patient’s support system, but they can also be a source or indicator of stress. If Tina were in a relationship, it would be important to follow-up for more details on the nature and quality of that relationship.Example Question:
Are you in a relationship?
Finding:
Asked about relationship history
Finding:
Reports past relationships
(Found)
Pro Tip: Understanding a patient’s relationship history is integral to assessing her mental health. In Tina’s case, a change in her relationship status could be a source of her current stress.Example Question:
Have you been in a relationship in the past?
Finding:
Last relationship ended three years ago
(Found)
Pro Tip: Understanding a patient’s relationship history is integral to assessing her mental health. In Tina’s case, a change in her relationship status could be a source of her current stress.Example Question:
When was your last relationship?
Finding:
Most recent relationship lasted three years
(Available)
Pro Tip: Understanding a patient’s relationship history is integral to assessing her mental health. In Tina’s case, a change in her relationship status could be a source of her current stress.Example Question:
How long was your last relationship?
Finding:
Reports she has never been married
Finding:
Asked about stress causes
Finding:
Reports feeling stressed about studying and the future
(Found)
Pro Tip: Asking a patient about Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) can unearth underlying social, political, or economic barriers to their health and wellbeing. Recognizing a patient’s SDOH can lead you to provide more informed and empathetic care for your patients, because you will have a greater understanding of the challenges they face.Example Question:
What seems to be causing your stress?
Finding:
Reports CPA professional qualifying exam in one month
(Found)
Pro Tip: Asking a patient about Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) can unearth underlying social, political, or economic barriers to their health and wellbeing. Recognizing a patient’s SDOH can lead you to provide more informed and empathetic care for your patients, because you will have a greater understanding of the challenges they face.Example Question:
What test are you trying to study for?
Finding:
Reports upcoming graduation from college and need to secure employment
(Found)
Pro Tip: Asking a patient about Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) can unearth underlying social, political, or economic barriers to their health and wellbeing. Recognizing a patient’s SDOH can lead you to provide more informed and empathetic care for your patients, because you will have a greater understanding of the challenges they face.Example Question:
What about the future is causing you stress?
Finding:
Asked about stress coping
Finding:
Reports coping with stress by going to church
(Found)
Pro Tip: Asking a patient about Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) can unearth underlying social, political, or economic barriers to their health and wellbeing. Recognizing a patient’s SDOH can lead you to provide more informed and empathetic care for your patients, because you will have a greater understanding of the challenges they face.Example Question:
How do you cope with stress?
Finding:
Reports coping with stress by staying organized
(Found)
Pro Tip: Asking a patient about Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) can unearth underlying social, political, or economic barriers to their health and wellbeing. Recognizing a patient’s SDOH can lead you to provide more informed and empathetic care for your patients, because you will have a greater understanding of the challenges they face.Example Question:
How do you manage stress?
Finding:
Reports coping with stress by talking to friends and family
(Found)
Pro Tip: Asking a patient about Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) can unearth underlying social, political, or economic barriers to their health and wellbeing. Recognizing a patient’s SDOH can lead you to provide more informed and empathetic care for your patients, because you will have a greater understanding of the challenges they face.Example Question:
Who do you talk to about stress?
Finding:
Reports usual stress coping strategies are less effective
(Found)
Pro Tip: Asking a patient about Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) can unearth underlying social, political, or economic barriers to their health and wellbeing. Recognizing a patient’s SDOH can lead you to provide more informed and empathetic care for your patients, because you will have a greater understanding of the challenges they face.Example Question:
Do your coping strategies help your stress?
Family History
Finding:
Asked about relevant family history
Finding:
Denies psychiatric illness in the family
(Found)
Pro Tip: Many psychiatric illnesses are hereditary, so knowing the patient’s family psychiatric history is essential to assessing her mental health. In Tina’s case, a family history of anxiety or depression could be significant in reaching a diagnosis.Example Question:
Has anyone in your family had a psychiatric illness?
Finding:
Reports uncle has a “problem with alcohol”
(Found)
Pro Tip: Substance abuse and addiction often runs in families, so knowing the patient’s family history of substance abuse is essential to assessing her mental health. In Tina’s case, a significant family history of addiction could be considered a risk factor.Example Question:
Do you have a family history of alcohol dependency?
Finding:
Denies family history of drug addiction
(Available)
Pro Tip: Substance abuse and addiction often runs in families, so knowing the patient’s family history of substance abuse is essential to assessing her mental health. In Tina’s case, a significant family history of addiction could be considered a risk factor.Example Question:
Do you have a family history of drug addiction?
Finding:
Denies family history of suicide
