Which statement best distinguishes a sign from a symptom?

Which statement best distinguishes a sign from a symptom?

• A. A sign is observed by the patient; a symptom is observed by the clinician
• B. A symptom is objective; a sign is subjective
• C. A sign is always present; a symptom is intermittent
• D. A sign is objective and observed by the clinician; a symptom is subjective and reported by the patient

Answer: (D)

A sign is objective evidence of disease that a clinician can observe or measure, while a symptom is a subjective experience described by the patient. This distinction matters because it explains why the best statement says a sign is objective and observed by the clinician, and a symptom is subjective and reported by the patient. Examples help: signs include fever, rash, swelling, or an abnormal heart sound—things you can verify during examination or testing. Symptoms include pain, dizziness, fatigue, or nausea—things the patient feels and reports. The other ideas blur who observes or assumes signs are always present or symptoms are intermittent, which isn’t true in practice; signs can be absent or variable, and symptoms can be constant.

A sign is objective evidence of disease that a clinician can observe or measure, while a symptom is a subjective experience described by the patient. This distinction matters because it explains why the best statement says a sign is objective and observed by the clinician, and a symptom is subjective and reported by the patient. Examples help: signs include fever, rash, swelling, or an abnormal heart sound—things you can verify during examination or testing. Symptoms include pain, dizziness, fatigue, or nausea—things the patient feels and reports. The other ideas blur who observes or assumes signs are always present or symptoms are intermittent, which isn’t true in practice; signs can be absent or variable, and symptoms can be constant.