Understanding and Writing an HPI

What does HPI stand for?

• Health Patient Index

• History of Present Illness

• History of Patient Information

• Health Problem Indicator

What is the chief complaint in an HPI?

• The patient's social history

• The patient's insurance information

• The patient's medical history

• The main reason the patient is visiting the provider

How should you translate a patient's statement of having a headache since 7 AM?

• Translate it to days

• Translate it to weeks

• Translate it to hours

• Leave it as 7 AM

What does 'character' refer to in an HPI?

• The patient's medical history

• The patient's treatment plan

• The description of the pain

• The patient's personality

What should be included in the 'associated symptoms' section of an HPI?

• The patient's insurance details

• The patient's social history

• Symptoms the patient affirms

• Symptoms the patient denies

What is the importance of noting treatments tried before arrival in an HPI?

• To record the patient's medical history

• To understand what has been done to alleviate symptoms

• To document the patient's social history

• To know the patient's insurance coverage

In the example medical case, what was the patient's chief complaint?

• Fever

• Nausea

• Hematuria

• Dysuria

What is the goal when composing an HPI?

• To include as much information as possible

• To write in the patient's exact words

• To be concise and include all pertinent information

• To focus only on the patient's medical history

Did you find this method for obtaining HPI helpful? If no, why not? If yes, did you write down the information to use during your patient interviews?