Which term refers to problems related to or accompanying the main complaint, including both positives and negatives?

• A. HPI
• B. Associated Signs and Symptoms
• C. Constitutional
• D. Context

Answer: (B)

In documentation, you capture not only the main complaint but the problems that accompany it. The term that describes those accompanying issues—whether they are present or absent—is associated signs and symptoms. This helps complete the clinical picture by noting what occurs with the primary issue and what does not. For example, a patient with chest pain might have associated signs and symptoms such as shortness of breath and sweating (present) and also note that there is no fever or cough (absent). The HPI is the broader narrative of the current illness, while associated signs and symptoms specifically refer to the additional problems that come with the main complaint; constitutional refers to general systemic symptoms, and context refers to the circumstances around onset.