PSHx stands for which term?

• A. Past Medical History
• B. Past Surgical History
• C. Patient Surgical History
• D. Prior To Arrival

Answer: (B)

PSHx refers to Past Surgical History, the part of a patient’s history that lists prior operations or procedures the patient has undergone. This shorthand is used in charts to quickly convey information about past surgeries, which can impact current care—for example, understanding prior anesthesia experiences, implanted devices, or scars that might affect surgical planning or physical exams. It’s distinct from Past Medical History, which covers chronic diseases and medical conditions, and from sections that list current medications or allergies. The other terms listed don’t reflect standard medical abbreviations for this topic, whereas PSHx specifically signals surgical history. In practice, you’d see entries like cholecystectomy or CABG under PSHx to document what surgeries the patient has had.