What do the letters in the record-keeping format 'SOAP' represent?

• A. Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
• B. Subjective, Observed, Analysis, Protocol
• C. Standard, Objective, Analysis, Procedure
• D. Subjective, Observation, Assessment, Plan

Answer: (A)

The main idea is the four-part structure used in medical notes to organize patient information. In this format, you start with Subjective data—what the patient reports about their symptoms, history, and concerns. Then you record Objective data—what you observe or measure during the exam, including vital signs and test results. Next comes the Assessment, where the clinician states the diagnostic impression or differential diagnosis based on the gathered data. Finally, you outline the Plan—what will be donenext: treatments, tests, referrals, patient education, and follow-up.

This combination—Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan—is the standard way to document patient encounters because it clearly separates the patient’s own report from observable facts, and then connects those findings to clinical reasoning and the next steps in care. The other options mix nonstandard terms (like Observed, Protocol, Standard, Procedure, or Observation) that don’t align with the conventional four-part SOAP structure.