Telephone Triage Questions to Ask Patients
Essential questions to ask patients during telephone triage to assess their condition, determine urgency, and provide appropriate care guidance.
1What is your main concern or symptom today?
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What is your main concern or symptom today?
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Why this works
Understanding the primary concern helps you assess the patient's condition and determine the most appropriate level of care needed.
2When did your symptoms start, and how have they changed?
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When did your symptoms start, and how have they changed?
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Why this works
Understanding symptom timeline helps you assess urgency and determine if the condition is improving, worsening, or stable.
3On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your pain or discomfort?
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On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your pain or discomfort?
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Why this works
Understanding pain level helps you assess severity and determine if the patient needs immediate attention or can wait for an appointment.
4Are you experiencing any difficulty breathing or shortness of breath?
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Are you experiencing any difficulty breathing or shortness of breath?
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Why this works
Understanding breathing difficulties helps you assess for potentially serious conditions that may require immediate medical attention.
5Do you have a fever, and if so, what is your temperature?
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Do you have a fever, and if so, what is your temperature?
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Why this works
Understanding fever presence and level helps you assess for infection and determine if the patient needs immediate care or can wait.
6Are you experiencing any chest pain or pressure?
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Are you experiencing any chest pain or pressure?
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Why this works
Understanding chest symptoms helps you assess for potentially serious cardiac or respiratory conditions that may require emergency care.
7Have you taken any medications or treatments for your symptoms?
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Have you taken any medications or treatments for your symptoms?
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Why this works
Understanding current treatments helps you assess what's been tried and determine if additional care or different approaches are needed.
8Are you able to eat, drink, and sleep normally?
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Are you able to eat, drink, and sleep normally?
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Why this works
Understanding basic functions helps you assess the patient's overall condition and determine if they can maintain their daily activities.
9Do you have any allergies or medical conditions that might affect your care?
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Do you have any allergies or medical conditions that might affect your care?
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Why this works
Understanding medical history helps you assess for potential complications and ensure appropriate care recommendations.
10Are you experiencing any nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea?
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Are you experiencing any nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea?
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Why this works
Understanding gastrointestinal symptoms helps you assess for dehydration risk and determine if the patient needs immediate care.
11Do you have any recent injuries or accidents that might be related to your symptoms?
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Do you have any recent injuries or accidents that might be related to your symptoms?
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Why this works
Understanding injury history helps you assess for potential trauma-related conditions and determine if the patient needs immediate evaluation.
12Are you experiencing any dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting?
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Are you experiencing any dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting?
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Why this works
Understanding neurological symptoms helps you assess for potentially serious conditions that may require immediate medical attention.
13Do you have any recent travel or exposure to illness?
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Do you have any recent travel or exposure to illness?
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Why this works
Understanding exposure history helps you assess for infectious diseases and determine if the patient needs isolation or special precautions.
14Are you experiencing any changes in vision, hearing, or speech?
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Are you experiencing any changes in vision, hearing, or speech?
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Why this works
Understanding sensory changes helps you assess for potentially serious neurological conditions that may require immediate evaluation.
15Do you have any recent changes in medication or new prescriptions?
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Do you have any recent changes in medication or new prescriptions?
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Why this works
Understanding medication changes helps you assess for potential side effects or interactions that might be causing symptoms.
16Are you experiencing any difficulty with urination or changes in bowel habits?
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Are you experiencing any difficulty with urination or changes in bowel habits?
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Why this works
Understanding urinary and bowel symptoms helps you assess for potentially serious conditions that may require immediate care.
17Do you have any family history of conditions that might be relevant?
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Do you have any family history of conditions that might be relevant?
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Why this works
Understanding family history helps you assess for genetic risk factors and determine if the patient needs specialized care or monitoring.
18Are you experiencing any emotional or psychological symptoms?
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Are you experiencing any emotional or psychological symptoms?
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Why this works
Understanding mental health symptoms helps you assess for potential psychiatric conditions and determine if the patient needs mental health support.
19What is your current level of activity, and are you able to perform daily tasks?
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What is your current level of activity, and are you able to perform daily tasks?
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Why this works
Understanding functional status helps you assess the patient's overall condition and determine if they can maintain their daily activities.
20Do you have any concerns about your symptoms that you'd like to discuss?
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Do you have any concerns about your symptoms that you'd like to discuss?
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Why this works
Understanding patient concerns helps you address their specific worries and ensure they feel heard and supported during the triage process.
Effective Telephone Triage
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Triage Best Practices
Listen Actively
Give patients time to describe their symptoms fully and ask follow-up questions to ensure you understand their condition completely.
Assess Urgency
Use systematic approaches to determine if patients need immediate care, same-day appointments, or can wait for routine care.
Document Thoroughly
Record all patient responses and your assessment to ensure continuity of care and provide accurate information to healthcare providers.