Which term describes what the patient is feeling and reports?

Which term describes what the patient is feeling and reports?

• A. Signs
• B. Symptoms
• C. Vitals
• D. Labs

Answer: (B)

This question tests the distinction between subjective experiences reported by the patient and objective observations. The term describes what the patient is feeling and reports because it captures the patient’s personal experience, which only the patient can convey—pain, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and similar sensations. These are called symptoms because they are inherently subjective. In contrast, signs are objective findings that a clinician can observe or measure, such as a rash, swelling, or abnormal gait. Vitals and labs are measurements or test results that provide objective data about the body's state, not the patient’s personal sensations.

This question tests the distinction between subjective experiences reported by the patient and objective observations. The term describes what the patient is feeling and reports because it captures the patient’s personal experience, which only the patient can convey—pain, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and similar sensations. These are called symptoms because they are inherently subjective.

In contrast, signs are objective findings that a clinician can observe or measure, such as a rash, swelling, or abnormal gait. Vitals and labs are measurements or test results that provide objective data about the body's state, not the patient’s personal sensations.