Which term refers to subjective evidence of disease such as pain?

Which term refers to subjective evidence of disease such as pain?

• A. Diagnosis
• B. Syndrome
• C. Symptom
• D. Lesion

Answer: (C)

Subjective evidence of disease—what the patient experiences and reports—is referred to as a symptom. Pain is a classic example because it relies on the patient’s description and cannot be measured directly with a instrument or test. In contrast, signs are objective findings that a clinician can observe or measure, such as fever or swelling. A lesion is a visible or palpable area of tissue damage or abnormality. A syndrome is a recognized pattern of multiple signs and symptoms that occur together and characterize a condition, rather than a single symptom. A diagnosis is the determination of the specific disease after evaluating symptoms, signs, and tests. Because pain and similar experiences are reported by the patient, they are categorized as symptoms.

Subjective evidence of disease—what the patient experiences and reports—is referred to as a symptom. Pain is a classic example because it relies on the patient’s description and cannot be measured directly with a instrument or test. In contrast, signs are objective findings that a clinician can observe or measure, such as fever or swelling. A lesion is a visible or palpable area of tissue damage or abnormality. A syndrome is a recognized pattern of multiple signs and symptoms that occur together and characterize a condition, rather than a single symptom. A diagnosis is the determination of the specific disease after evaluating symptoms, signs, and tests. Because pain and similar experiences are reported by the patient, they are categorized as symptoms.