Which statement accurately differentiates signs from symptoms?

• A. Signs are objective findings; symptoms are what the patient reports
• B. Signs are emotional states; symptoms are physical findings
• C. Signs and symptoms are the same
• D. Signs are what the patient reports; symptoms are objective findings

Answer: (A)

In clinical assessment, you distinguish between what the patient feels and what is observable. Signs are objective findings that a clinician can observe or measure, such as fever, a rash, swelling, or an abnormal heartbeat. Symptoms are subjective experiences reported by the patient, like pain, dizziness, nausea, or fatigue. This distinction is why the correct statement says signs are objective findings and symptoms are what the patient reports. The other choices mix up or reverse these ideas: signs aren’t emotional states or physical findings alone, they aren’t the same as symptoms, and signs aren’t what the patient reports (that would be symptoms).