Which statement correctly contrasts symptoms and signs?

• A. Symptoms are objective findings observed by the clinician, signs are subjective experiences reported by the patient.
• B. Both symptoms and signs are subjective patient reports.
• C. Both symptoms and signs are objective lab values.
• D. Symptoms are subjective experiences reported by the patient, signs are objective findings observed by the clinician.

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that symptoms are what the patient experiences and reports, while signs are objective findings that the clinician can observe or measure. Symptoms include things like pain, dizziness, or fatigue—experiences the patient describes. Signs are things you can detect on exam or with tests, such as fever, a rash, high blood pressure, or abnormal lung sounds. This distinction is why the correct statement says symptoms are subjective reports from the patient and signs are objective findings observed by the clinician. The other options mix up which elements are subjective versus objective, suggesting that signs or symptoms are both patient reports or both objective measurements, which isn’t accurate.