What does SOAP stand for in medical documentation?

• A. Subjective, Objective, Analysis, Plan
• B. Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
• C. Subjective, Observational, Assessment, Plan
• D. Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Protocol

Answer: (B)

In SOAP notes, information is organized into four parts: the patient’s own report of symptoms (Subjective), the clinician’s objective findings from exam and tests (Objective), the clinician’s interpretation or diagnosis (Assessment), and the plan for treatment and follow-up (Plan). The best choice uses Assessment as the third component because after collecting what the patient says and what the clinician observes, the next step is to render a clinical judgment—an impression or diagnosis—which then informs the plan. This sequence mirrors real clinical reasoning: gather data, interpret it, and decide on next steps.

Other options don’t fit because they replace the standard terms with nonstandard labels. Using Analysis would imply a different kind of reasoning label than what clinicians record as their diagnostic impression. Observational isn’t the standard term for the data gathered during exam and tests (that’s Objective). Protocol suggests a fixed procedure rather than a personalized plan of care (which is what Plan covers).