In a SOAP note, a patient’s self-reported symptom such as stomach pain would be documented in which section?

• A. Subjective
• B. Objective
• C. Assessment
• D. Plan

Answer: (A)

Self-reported symptoms belong in the Subjective section of a SOAP note. The subjective part captures what the patient tells you about their symptoms, concerns, and medical history—the chief complaint, history of present illness, and description of the symptoms. Since stomach pain is a symptom the patient describes rather than something you can observe directly, it is documented here. In contrast, the Objective section holds what you observe or measure, such as physical exam findings, vitals, and lab results. The Assessment is your clinical impression or diagnosis, and the Plan outlines the treatment or next steps.