Which item is NOT part of the SAMPLE secondary survey?

• A. Family history
• B. Signs and symptoms
• C. Medications
• D. Event history

Answer: (A)

In the secondary survey, SAMPLE is the quick, structured way you gather key information about the current condition and the incident. It stands for Signs and symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake, and Event leading up to the incident. Family history isn’t included in this checklist because it focuses on the patient’s present presentation and the events surrounding the injury or illness, not on genetic or familial disease patterns. Therefore, family history is the item that does not fit the SAMPLE framework. The other options align with the components of SAMPLE: signs and symptoms describe what you observe and what the patient reports, medications are documented, and the event leading up to the incident is specifically asked about.