Sample Questions to Ask

Pain history and characteristics

• When were you last feeling perfectly well?
• When did your pain problem start?
• How long have you had this problem?
• What does your pain feel like? What words would you use to describe your pain?
• Is it stabbing or burning?
• Is it constant or intermittent?
• Is it throbbing or pounding?
• Is it sharp or dull?
• How often does it occur?
• Has the pain intensity changed since it started?
• At what time of the day is the pain intensity at its worst?
• At what time of the day is the pain intensity at its best?
• On a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain you can imagine,
• How much does it hurt right now?
• How much does it usually hurt at its worst?
• How much does it usually hurt at its best?
• When did you have the least pain last week?
• When did you have the worst pain last week?
• What was the average (usual) intensity of pain in the last week?
• Does your pain intensity vary by season?
• How long does it last?
• Does the pain move anywhere?

Pain influence on daily activities

• Does the pain keep you awake at night?
• Does the pain affect your daily activities (e.g., chores, hobbies)?
• Does the pain affect your ability to work?
• Does the pain affect your mood, family, or social life?
• Does the pain affect your attention, memory, and/or concentration?
• Does the pain affect your sexual life?

Management strategies

• Is there anything that makes your pain worse?
• Is there anything that makes your pain better?
• Have you taken any kind of medicine for your problem?
• What kind of medication did you take? How much have you taken to relieve your pain?
• Did the medicine help? What was the intensity of pain after taking this medication?
• How long does your pain relief last after taking your treatment/medication?
• What medications are you currently taking?
• Were there any adverse effects?
• Does taking the medication affect your functioning? How so?
• What are your expectations for treatment of pain?
• What are your goals for managing the pain?

Patient goals and expectations

• What are your expectations for treatment of the pain?
• What are you goals for managing the pain?

Medical history

• How is your general health?
• Do you have any current health problems—things like heart disease, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, etc.? If yes,
• How long have you had this condition?
• Are you seeing a doctor for this condition?
• Are you taking any medications for this condition?
• Can you tell me the name of the medication?
• Do you know what doses you take?
• How often do you take this medication?
• When did you last see a doctor for this condition?
• Have you ever been admitted to a hospital? If yes, what was the reason?
• Do you have any allergies—things like food allergies or allergies to medications?
• Have there been any recent sources of increased stress in your life?

Medication history

• Are you taking any prescription medications? (pills, injections, inhalers)
• Do you use any alternative treatments or remedies for any health problems?
• Are you taking any over-the-counter (OTC) medicines?

Lifestyle/psychosocial history

• Do you smoke? If yes,
• How much do you smoke?
• How old were you when you started smoking?
• Do you drink beer, wine or spirits? If yes,
• How often do you drink?
• How often do you drink alone?
• How much do you drink?
• Have there been any recent sources of increased stress?
• How is your mood?

Family history

• How is your family health?
• Do any of your family members deal with pain?