Which statement is true about signs?

Which statement is true about signs?

• A. They are objectively identified by a trained observer.
• B. They are subjective experiences reported by patients.
• C. They are never observable.
• D. They are only measured by laboratory tests.

Answer: (A)

Signs are objective findings that a clinician identifies through examination or testing. Because they are observable or measurable, they don’t rely on the patient’s description. A trained observer can detect things like fever, swelling, rash, abnormal heart sounds, or high blood pressure. In contrast, symptoms are the patient’s subjective experiences, such as pain or fatigue, which can’t be directly verified by others. So the true statement is that signs are objectively identified by a trained observer.

Signs are objective findings that a clinician identifies through examination or testing. Because they are observable or measurable, they don’t rely on the patient’s description. A trained observer can detect things like fever, swelling, rash, abnormal heart sounds, or high blood pressure. In contrast, symptoms are the patient’s subjective experiences, such as pain or fatigue, which can’t be directly verified by others. So the true statement is that signs are objectively identified by a trained observer.