History of Present Illness

Acronym: Clinical

HPI is a chronological description of the development of the patient’s present illness from the first sign and/or symptom or from the previous encounter to the present. HPI elements are: Location (example: left leg) Quality (example: aching, burning, radiating pain) Severity (example: 10 on a scale of 1 to 10) Duration (example: started 3 days ago) Timing (example: constant or comes and goes) Context (example: lifted large object at work) Modifying factors (example: better when heat is applied) Associated signs and symptoms (example: numbness in toes)