Intended diagnostic or therapeutic action, including disposition: admission, discharge, or transfer instructions, is described in which section?

• A. SOAP format
• B. Subjective Information
• C. Assessment
• D. Plan

Answer: (D)

The Plan section is where the clinician lays out what will be done next, including any diagnostic tests, treatments, medications, procedures, referrals, and the disposition for the patient (discharge, admission, or transfer). This is the actionable part of the note that translates the diagnosis and reasoning into concrete steps and instructions for the patient and care team.

To understand its role, recall the rest of the SOAP structure: Subjective captures the patient’s symptoms and history; Objective records the clinician’s findings and measurements; Assessment provides the diagnosis and reasoning. The Plan ties these together by detailing the intended actions to address the problem and how the patient will be managed going forward. For example, it would specify which antibiotics to administer, what imaging or labs to order, any bed admission criteria, and the discharge or follow-up instructions.