The documentation method that includes Subjective information, Objective information, Assessment, and Plan is called...

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

Answer: (C)

SOAP notes organize a clinical encounter into four sections: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan. The idea is to capture what the patient reports (Subjective) separately from what the clinician observes or measures (Objective), then synthesize that information into a clinical impression or differential (Assessment), and finally outline the management steps (Plan). This structure keeps information clear and linked: the patient’s symptoms anchor the Subjective, the findings from exams and tests populate the Objective, the clinician’s reasoning and diagnosis live in the Assessment, and the concrete actions—medications, tests, follow-up—reside in the Plan. It’s the standard format because it promotes consistent, efficient communication and continuity of care across providers.