Include at least one element from past medical or past surgical history, and at least one element from family or social history.

• A. At least one Past Medical History and Family History
• B. Only Past Medical History
• C. Only Family History
• D. Only Social History

Answer: (A)

When documenting a complete patient history, you want to capture both what has happened to the patient in the past and what runs in the family or in their current social situation. This gives a fuller picture of risk factors and influences on health.

The best choice includes at least one item from Past Medical History and at least one item from Family History. That combination shows you’re noting an existing condition or prior surgery (the patient’s own medical background) and a familial risk factor (genetic or pattern-based risk). For example, recording hypertension (a past medical history item) along with a first-degree relative with premature heart disease (family history) provides essential context for risk assessment and management decisions.

Choices that include only one domain—either only past medical history, only family history, or only social history—do not meet the requirement to cover both necessary areas of history.