What is the purpose of the SAMPLE history in the trauma secondary survey?

• A. To gather concise information on Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake, and Event leading to injury to guide care and imaging decisions
• B. To document social history
• C. To assess vital signs
• D. To plan discharge

Answer: (A)

The main concept here is that the SAMPLE history is a rapid, targeted interview used during the trauma secondary survey to gather essential information that guides ongoing care and imaging decisions. Each part of SAMPLE serves a specific purpose: Symptoms helps identify current issues the patient is experiencing; Allergies reveals potential reactions to medications or contrast agents; Medications lists anything that could interact with treatment or affect bleeding risk; Past medical history informs risk factors and prior conditions that could complicate care; Last oral intake influences anesthesia planning and risk of aspiration; and Event leading to injury provides insight into the mechanism, guiding the search for associated injuries and appropriate imaging.

In practice, this information helps tailor imaging choices (for example, knowing about allergies or recent meals can affect contrast use and timing of scans) and informs treatment decisions and potential disposition. It’s designed to be quick and focused so care isn’t delayed.

The other options don’t fit the primary purpose: documenting social history isn’t the main goal of this history in the trauma setting; vital signs are part of the primary survey and ongoing monitoring rather than the SAMPLE components; planning discharge is not appropriate during the acute secondary survey.