What should be included in a History of Present Illness (HPI) template for a patient presenting with dysuria?

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Last updated: August 19, 2025View editorial policy

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History of Present Illness (HPI) Template for Dysuria

A comprehensive HPI for dysuria should include specific questions about pain characteristics, urinary symptoms, associated symptoms, and risk factors to guide diagnosis and treatment decisions.

Chief Complaint

  • Pain or burning during urination (dysuria)

Pain Characteristics

  • Onset and duration of dysuria
  • Location of pain (urethral, vaginal, suprapubic)
  • Character of pain (burning, sharp, dull)
  • Timing of pain (beginning, during, or end of urination)
  • Severity (on a scale of 1-10)
  • Alleviating and exacerbating factors

Associated Urinary Symptoms

  • Urinary frequency
  • Urgency
  • Nocturia
  • Hematuria (visible or microscopic)
  • Changes in urine appearance (cloudy, foul-smelling)
  • Incomplete emptying sensation
  • Hesitancy or straining to void
  • Suprapubic or flank pain
  • Incontinence

Sexual History

  • Recent sexual activity
  • New sexual partners
  • Use of contraceptives or barrier methods
  • History of sexually transmitted infections
  • Vaginal discharge (for females)
  • Urethral discharge (for males)

Medical History

  • Previous urinary tract infections
  • Recent urologic procedures or catheterization
  • Kidney stones
  • Prostate issues (for males)
  • Gynecological conditions (for females)
  • Neurological disorders affecting bladder function
  • Immunocompromised status

Medication History

  • Current medications
  • Recent antibiotic use
  • Use of spermicides or vaginal products
  • Use of potential bladder irritants (caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods)

Risk Factors Assessment

  • Diabetes
  • Pregnancy status (for females)
  • Menopause status and hormone replacement therapy (for females)
  • Anatomical abnormalities of the urinary tract
  • Urinary retention or incomplete emptying
  • Catheter use
  • Recent instrumentation of urinary tract
  • Immobility

Review of Systems

  • Fever, chills
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Flank pain
  • Vaginal symptoms (discharge, odor, irritation)
  • Penile or testicular symptoms
  • Lower back pain
  • Joint pain (possible reactive arthritis)
  • Skin rashes or lesions

Hydration and Voiding Habits

  • Daily fluid intake
  • Frequency of urination
  • Recent changes in voiding patterns
  • History of urinary continence

Impact on Quality of Life

  • Sleep disturbances due to symptoms
  • Effect on daily activities
  • Effect on sexual function

This structured HPI template covers the essential elements needed to evaluate a patient with dysuria, allowing for appropriate diagnosis and management planning 1, 2, 3. The information gathered will help differentiate between infectious and non-infectious causes, guide laboratory testing, and inform treatment decisions.

References

Research

Dysuria: Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis in Adults.

American family physician, 2025

Research

Evaluation of dysuria in adults.

American family physician, 2002

Research

Evaluation of dysuria in men.

American family physician, 1999

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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