B. Guide to the Comprehensive Adult H&P Write‐Up

(Adapted from D Bynum MD, C Colford MD, D McNeely MD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina)
 
Chief Complaint Include the primary symptom causing the patient to seek care. Ideally, this should be in the
patient’s words.

Source & Reliability If the patient is not the source of the information state who is and if the patient is not
considered reliable explain why (e.g., “somnolent” or “intoxicated”)

History of Present First sentence should include patient’s identifying data, including age, gender, (and race if
Illness clinically relevant), and pertinent past medical history

Describe how chief complaint developed in a chronologic and organized manner

Address why the patient is seeking attention at this time

Include the dimensions of the chief complaint, including location, quality or character, quantity
or severity, timing (onset, duration and frequency), setting in which symptoms occur,
aggravating and alleviating factors and associated symptoms

Include the patient’s thoughts and feelings about the illness

Incorporate elements of the PMH, FH and SH relevant to the patient’s story.

Include pertinent positives and negative based on relevant portions of the ROS. If included in
the HPI these elements should not be repeated in the ROS

The HPI should present the context for the differential diagnosis in the assessment section

Past Medical History Describe medical conditions with additional details such as date of onset, associated
hospitalizations, complications and if relevant, treatments

Surgical history with dates, indications and types of operations

OB/Gyn history with obstetric history (G,P – number of pregnancies, number of live births,
number of living children), menstrual history, birth control

Psychiatric history with dates, diagnoses, hospitalizations and treatments

Age‐appropriate health maintenance (e.g., pap smears, mammograms, cholesterol testing, colon
cancer) and immunizations

Describe any significant childhood illnesses

Medications For each medication include dose, route, frequency and generic name

Include over the counter medications and supplements; include dose, route and frequency

Do not use abbreviations

Allergies Describe the nature of the adverse reaction

Family history Comment on the health state or cause of death of parents, siblings, children

Record the presence of diseases that run in the family (e.g., HTN, CAD, CVA, DM, cancer, alcohol

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addiction)

Social history Include occupation, highest level of education, home situation and significant others

Quantify any tobacco, alcohol or other drug use

Include relevant sexual history

Note any safety concerns by the patient (domestic violence, neglect)

Note presence of advance directives (e.g., living will and/or health care power of attorney)

Assess the patient’s functional status – ability to complete the activities of daily living

Consider documentation of any important life experience such as military service, religious
affiliation and spiritual beliefs

Review of Systems Include patient’s Yes or No responses to all questions asked by system

Note “Refer to HPI” if question responses are documented in the HPI

Review of Systems:

Include in a bulleted format the pertinent review of systems questions that you asked. Below is an
example of thorough list. In a focused history and physical, this exhaustive list needn’t be included.

skin bruising, discoloration, pruritus, birthmarks, moles, ulcers, decubiti, changes in the hair or
nails, sun exposure and protection.

hematopoietic spontaneous or excessive bleeding, fatigue, enlarged or tender lymph nodes,

pallor, history of anemia.

head and face pain, traumatic injury, ptosis.

ears tinnitus, change in hearing, running or discharge from the ears, deafness, dizziness.

eyes change in vision, pain, inflammation, infections, double vision, scotomata, blurring, tearing.

mouth and throat dental problems, hoarseness, dysphagia, bleeding gums, sore throat, ulcers or
sores in the mouth.

nose and sinuses discharge, epistaxis, sinus pain, obstruction.

breasts pain, change in contour or skin color, lumps, discharge from the nipple.

respiratory tract cough, sputum, change in sputum, night sweats, nocturnal dyspnea, wheezing.

cardiovascular system chest pain, dyspnea, palpitations, weakness, intolerance of exercise,

varicosities, swelling of extremities, known murmur, hypertension, asystole.

gastrointestinal system nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, quality of appetite, change in

appetite, dysphagia, gas, heartburn, melena, change in bowel habits, use of laxatives or other
drugs to alter the function of the gastrointestinal tract.

urinary tract dysuria, change in color of urine, change in frequency of urination, pain with
urgency, incontinence, edema, retention, nocturia.

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genital tract (female) menstrual history, obstetric history, contraceptive use, discharge, pain or
discomfort, pruritus, history of venereal disease, sexual history.

genital tract (male) penile discharge, pain or discomfort, pruritus, skin lesions, hematuria,
history of venereal disease, sexual history.

skeletal system heat; redness; swelling; limitation of function; deformity; crepitation: pain in a
joint or an extremity, the neck, or the back, especially with movement.

nervous system dizziness, tremor, ataxia, difficulty in speaking, change in speech, paresthesia,
loss of sensation, seizures, syncope, changes in memory.

endocrine system tremor, palpitations, intolerance of heat or cold, polyuria, polydipsia,

polyphagia, diaphoresis, exophthalmos, goiter.

psychologic status nervousness, instability, depression, phobia, sexual disturbances, criminal

behavior, insomnia, night terrors, mania, memory loss, perseveration, disorientation

Physical examination Describe what you see, avoid vague descriptions such as “normal”; The PE that relates to the
chief complaint may need to be MORE detailed than the sample below; record any “advanced”
findings/lack of findings that are pertinent (for example, presence or absence of egophany,
shifting dullness, HJR)

Physical Examination:

Always begin with the vital signs. These should include;

o Temperature
o Pulse
o Blood pressure
o Respiratory rate
o Pain (10‐point scale rating)

Pulse oximetry when available: include the percentage of supplemental O2. If room air,
document this.

EXAMPLE:

O2 Saturation: 88% on room air, 95% on 2 liter nasal canula.

General appearance: include information on the patient’s overall condition. It is appropriate to

comment on level of comfort or distress, as well as general grooming and hygiene.

Example:

 Mr. Smith is a well appearing elderly gentleman in no acute distress.

 Mr. Smith is a frail appearing elderly gentleman in significant
respiratory distress at the time of examination.

Next should follow the individual body systems in discreet subheadings.

Traditionally, systems are listed in a top down fashion when performing a full physical
examination. This may vary in subspecialty examinations such as ophthalmology or
orthopedics.

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In general, the format should be as follows

HEENT:

Neck:

Heart:

Lungs:

Abdomen:

Extremities:

Neurological:

MSK

Vascular:

Skin:

Example:

HEENT:

Head: no evidence of trauma

Nares: normal pink mucosa, no discharge

Eyes: no scleral icterus, normal conjunctiva

Ears: TM’s show normal light reflex, no erythema, normal l landmarks

OP: moist mucus membranes; OP with no erythema or exudate. Oral exam with no lesions.

Neck: Supple, No thyromegaly, no lymphadenopathy, normal range of motion; JVP estimated to

be 7 cm.

Heart: PMI nondisplaced and normal size; No thrills or heaves; RRR, S1S2 with no s3 or s4, no
murmurs, rubs or gallops

Lungs: No increase work of breathing, lungs clear to auscultation, no wheezes or crackles

Abdomen: Non distended, no scars, normoactive bowel sounds, no bruits, non‐tender to

palpation, no hepatosplenomegaly, no masses

Exteremities: No clubbing, cyanosis or edema;

Vascular: pulses are 2+ bilaterally at carotid, radial, femoral, dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial;
no bruits

Neuro: alert and oriented x 3 (person, place and time), CN II‐XII intact; Motor 5/5 in all

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extremities. Reflexes 3+ and equal throughout. Sensory testing normal to light touch, pinprick,
proprioception, and vibration. Finger‐nose and Heel to shin/point to point testing normal.
Rapid alternating movements normal; Gait: normal get up and go, normal heel‐toe and tandem
gait

MSK: good tone throughout, no swelling/synovitis or limitation of flexion at any joint

Skin: normal texture, normal turgor, warm, dry, no rash

Data collection Include lab and radiological data appropriate for the HPI (include YOUR interpretation, not just
copy/paste from medical record report)

Labs:

Chest xray or other xrays/scans

EKG:

Problem List List all problems, most important first; You will use this to then begin to combine/lump
problems to then create your Assessment/Plan by problem list

For example:

Problem list:

Chest pain

Fever

Shortness of breath

Hemoptysis

Elevated creatinine

Summary Statement Label as summary (“ In summary….)

Include 1‐2 sentence impression restating basic identifying information (The patient is a 45
year old male),

Most pertinent information related to the medical/family/social history (with a history of

tobacco use and family history of early CAD),

Expanded chief complaint and most pertinent review of systems on presentation (who
presents with substernal chest pressure, nausea and diaphoresis)

Most important findings on physical, labs, data (and is found to have an S4, bilateral rales,
and JVD on exam with evidence of pulmonary edema on CXR)

Pertinent information is that which contributes directly to building the case for your
differential diagnosis….

In summary, the patient is a 45 year old male with a history of tobacco use and family
history of early CAD who presents with substernal chest pressure, nausea and diaphoresis
and is found to have an S4, bilateral rales, and JVD on exam with evidence of pulmonary

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edema on CXR…

Key phrases and structure for summary statement:

In summary, this is a …

With a history of...

Who presents with….

And is found to have…

Assessment/Plan Organize plan by problem: Label, Assessment/Plan by problem list

Include at least 3 diagnoses for your differential potentially associated with the patient’s
chief complaint

Include the Most Likely diagnosis/diagnoses on your differential

Include the DO NOT MISS diagnoses on your differential

Order your differential to reflect most likely diagnoses or most serious diagnoses first

For each diagnosis discuss physiologic disease basis relevant to the patient and elements from
the patient’s history and physical that either support or refute the diagnosis. For each item on
your differential, explain what makes it likely AND what makes it less likely.

It is OK to include less likely items on your differential – explain why it is important to consider
but less likely the diagnosis (PE may be considered frequently when a patient presents with
shortness of breath and should be on the differential because it is a Do Not Miss diagnosis – but if
the patient has a high white count, cough with sputum and infiltrate on exam, it is LESS likely)

For each problem, discuss the diagnostic plan, treatment plan and patient education.

Outline of what this should look like…

Summary Statement…

A/P by Problem List:

1. Problem # 1:
Differential Dx includes…. List at least 3 items for your differential, explain what
is most likely and why, what is a must not miss, and what is less likely and why….

Diagnostic Plan will be…

Treatment plan will include…

Patient education…. Instructions to patient include…

2. Problem # 2:
Differential….

Diagnostic Plan…

Treatment plan…

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Patient education

3. Problem # 3:
Differential…

Diagnostic plan…

Treatment plan…

Patient education…

For the main problem(s) identified in your problem list, you are expected to identify a topic or
clinical question that would help you advance your knowledge in that specific area to help you
provide better care of patients presenting in a similar way in the future. The topic or clinical
question can focus on an epidemiologic, diagnostic, therapeutic, pharmacologic, etc. aspect of
patient care.

In order to review the topic/answer your question, you should: 1) perform a literature or
textbook review to answer your clinical question, 2) incorporate your findings into the
assessment and plan of your write‐up in the form of 1‐2 paragraphs and 3) list the resources
used.

COM Library resources are strongly encouraged, for suitable resources based on topic of
interest please see P2 LibGuide.

Format Goal is a concise write up with your thought processes documented in logical and organized
manner

Avoid spelling or grammatical errors

Use only commonly accepted abbreviations

HIPAA Remove patient identification from write up (e.g., name, address, medical record number, etc.)

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