Complete Patient Histories With Flying Colors

Taking histories of upper respiratorytract infections in elderly persons orchildren can be difficult because thesepatients may have trouble describingthe color of sputum or discharge. Usea color wheel or a set of sample colors(such as paint chips or photographicbackgrounds), and ask the patient topoint to the color that matches his orher sputum or discharge.-- Kathy G. Savage, MSN, ARNP,
   A/GNP
   Revere, Mass