What memory aid can help obtain a focused history during a secondary assessment?

The choice of SAMPLE as the memory aid for obtaining a focused history during a secondary assessment is particularly effective because it provides a structured framework that assists healthcare providers in gathering essential information from the patient or bystanders. SAMPLE stands for Signs and Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake, and Events leading to the present illness or injury.

This comprehensive approach allows for a thorough understanding of the patient's condition which is critical in pediatric care, where history-taking can often be limited by the patient's ability to communicate effectively. Signs and symptoms help identify the current medical issue, while allergies and medications provide insights into potential complications or contraindications for treatment. Understanding past medical history enriches the assessment with information about pre-existing conditions that could influence the current situation. Finally, gathering details about the last oral intake and events leading up to the illness aids in contextualizing the patient's state and aids in diagnosis and management.

In contrast, other aids may not provide as complete a picture or may focus on different aspects that are less directly relevant to history-taking. For instance, ABCDE focuses primarily on the primary assessment of airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure, which are critical in emergency situations but do not specifically guide historical data collection. Thus, SAMPLE