Which elements are included in a standard SOAP note?

• A. Summary, Opinion, Assessment, Prognosis
• B. Subjective data, Objective data, Assessment, Plan
• C. Situational data, Observations, Analysis, Prescription
• D. Syntax, Output, Assessment, Plan

Answer: (B)

A standard SOAP note organizes clinical information into four parts: Subjective data, Objective data, Assessment, and Plan. The subjective portion captures the patient’s own report—chief complaint, history, symptoms, and how the patient describes their condition. The objective portion records measurable and observable information you obtain—vital signs, physical exam findings, and results from tests or imaging. The assessment is where you interpret the data: your diagnosis or differential diagnoses, the clinical impression, and any problems identified. The plan outlines what you’ll do next—treatments, medications, referrals, orders for tests, patient education, and follow-up arrangements.

The other options don’t fit the standard structure because they use terms not aligned with SOAP: prognosis, opinion, or prognosis-related concepts aren’t part of the four typical components; terms like situational data or syntax/output aren’t used in medical documentation; and a prescription is only one possible element within the plan, not the complete framing of a SOAP note.