American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

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What does the 'S' in SOAP stand for?

Status
Subjective
Summary
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The correct answer is: Subjective

The 'S' in SOAP stands for Subjective. In the SOAP format, which is commonly used in medical documentation, the Subjective section includes information that the patient reports regarding their condition. This may include symptoms, feelings, and personal perspectives about their health, provided in their own words. This information is crucial for healthcare providers to understand the patient's experience and perspective, which aids in diagnosing and planning treatment. By capturing subjective data, healthcare professionals can establish a well-rounded view of the patient's health, complementing the objective findings (which involve measurable data and observations made by the provider) and the assessment and plan sections of the SOAP note. Understanding the subjective nature of this component is fundamental for practitioners in effectively communicating and documenting patient care.