The History and Physical Exam Note (H&P)
The H&P note is to be written on each patient who will be covered by the medical team
at the time of admission and is written by either the intern or resident. The H&P note is a
written medical-legal document that:
Serves as a record of a patient’s admission to the hospital
Must be completed at the time of admission (within 3-4 hours).
Includes the name of the patient along with the medical record number and date
and time.
Is accompanied by an accurate Medication reconciliation document signed
and timed by the author.
Must be legible and well written so to avoid any misunderstanding by the reader
Must have a time and date and be signed on each page by the author in legible
fashion.
Must be complete ALL ITEMS DETAILED BELOW
Chief Complaint
The presenting complaint of the patient on admission. Should be written in
the patients own words.
History of Present Illness
A complete and chronologic account of the chief complaint which caused
the patient to seek medical attention.
Obtained from the patient or another source (family member, nursing
home- in the case the patient is unable to give a history)
Should include several cardinal features related to the chief complaint: Location, Quality, Severity, Timing (onset, frequency), Duration, Context
(setting in which symptoms occur), Associated Symptoms, Modifying
Factors (alleviating factors /aggravating factors).
Relevant review of systems
Should include identified risk factors associated with illness
Complete Review of Systems:
General; Skin; HEENT; Respiratory; Cardiac; GI; GU; GYN;
Musculoskeletal; Vascular; Neurologic; Psych; Endocrine; Hematologic
Past Medical History
All relevant past medical history
Should included the complications of disease and treatment modalities
when appropriate.
Should include year when diagnosed
Can organize by: 1. Childhood illnesses, 2. Adult Medical Illnesses, 3.
Surgeries, 4. OB/GYN, 5. Pyschiatric
Health Maintenance: Immunizations & Screening tests
Medications on Admission
All medications either prescribed or over the counter taken by the patient
on admission
Name, Dose, Route, Frequency (e.g. Placebo 20mg PO BID)
Allergies
Allergies to medications (list of medications including specific reaction
ellicited)
Allergies to environmental agents
Adverse drug reactions
Social History
Smoking and Drug History
Marital Status
Children
Education
Employment
Housing/Living conditions
Daily activities
Important contact information
Family History
Medical history of all 1st degree relatives and relevant 2nd degree relatives.
Code Status and Health Care Proxy
Code status and name of Health care proxy.
Physical Exam
Vital Signs
General Exam
Physical exam of each body system
Labortatory and Diagnostic Imaging
All relevant labs and diagnostic imaging compared to prior results (it is
important to compare with a “baseline” value.)
Problem List
From most important to least important
Should be as detailed as possible.
Assessment and Plan
Each problem or group of problems should have a thorough assessment
Differential diagnosis are discussed and evidence supporting the diagnosis
(or arguing against them) should be outlined during the assessment of the
problems.
A detailed plan on each problem or set of problems should be generated
Please see example below
Each page of the H&P should be signed and dated.
EXAMPLE A/P
1. Nausea / vomit / diarrhea: 50 y/o male with long standing complicated
DM who presents with acute onset of fever, n/v/diarrhea and inability to take
PO. Given his recent sick contact, normal WBC, and benign abdominal
exam viral infection is highest on our differential diagnosis. However, in
this long standing diabetic with known neuropathy possibility of other
processes which include: occult cholecystitis, pancreatitis (high alcohol
intake), and bacterial causes of diarrhea remain in our differential.
Plan:
IV hydration as outlined below
Serial abdominal exams
Add liver chemistries / amylase / lipase to labs done in ED
Check stool for C.Dif, fecal leuks, O&P
Check blood cultures / urine culture
NPO for now – will reassess in AM
KUB to r/o ileus/PSBO
If any clinical decompensation will consider further imaging
studies
Hold antiHTN agents until no longer hypotensive
2. Acute on chronic renal failure: In this gentleman who has history of
proteinuric CRF secondary to diabetes causes for his ARF include pre-renal,
renal, and post renal causes. Highest in our differential dx. is pre-renal
azotemia based on the clinical history, frank hypotension, tachycardia,
metabolic alkalosis, concentrated urine and FENA <<1%. The possibility
that this gentleman has developed ATN secondary to hypotension and
NSAID use remains of concern. Other primary intrarenal causes seem
unlikely. Pt has no history of urinary obstructive diseases making post renal
causes unlikely.
Plan:
Check orthostatics now and in AM
IV hydration: NS (with 40 meq KCL bolus x 1 liter over 2
hours. After bolus reassess BP / Orthostatics /
cardiopulmonary exam and if remains hypotensive
without signs of volume overload re-bolus. Once no
longer hypotensive begin NS with 20 KCL at 100-200 cc
per hour depending on urine output, vitals, and ongoing
losses.
Replete K
Check MG
Add Mg, PO4, Ca, Alb to labs done in ED
Review urine sediment for evidence of ATN
If U/O not increasing insert foley to r/o obstruction
If CRT not improving by AM consider renal US
D/C NSAIDS
D/C Glucophage as contraindicated in renal failure
Hold ACE until CRT at baseline
Check urinary chloride to work-up metabolic alkalosis
Repeat CBP in 4 hours – reassess K needs at that time
Dose all meds for GFR 20-50cc/min
Avoid nephrotoxic agents
3. Hyperglycemia: Uncontrolled DM secondary to inability to take oral
hypoglycemic agents and acute illness.
Plan:
Hold Glucophage as described above
IVF as described above
Insulin SS for now – long acting insulin may be needed
Accucheck QAC / QHS (or QID if NPO)
Check GlycoHgB if not done in last 3 months
Diabetic diet when taking PO
4. ETOH use: ETOH use is above healthy drinking guidelines
Cage questionnaire when stable
Review healthy drinking when stable
Follow closely for DT’s over next 24-72 hours
5. Tobacco Abuse:
Smoking cessation counseling to be given.
6. CAD: Stable.
Obtain old EKG for comparison
Resume B blocker when BP allows.
Cont. ASA
7. Prophylaxis: Hep. SQ until able to be OOB TID