SH stands for which history section in medical records?

• A. Surgical History
• B. Social History
• C. Systemic History
• D. Standard History

Answer: (B)

Social History refers to the parts of the medical record that document a patient’s lifestyle and social factors that can affect health and care. SH is used for information like tobacco or nicotine use, alcohol and illicit drug use, sexual activity and practices, occupation and work environment, living situation and support systems, travel history, and other lifestyle habits. These details help providers understand risk factors and barriers to treatment outside of medical conditions themselves.

Surgical History, in contrast, would capture prior surgeries and operative procedures, not current social factors. Systemic History or Standard History aren’t common headers for this abbreviation, so they don’t fit SH.