NUR 600 Midterm: SOAP Notes – 200 Practice Questions with
Answers & Explanations
Question 1
What does the acronym SOAP stand for in clinical documentation?
A) Summary, Objective, Assessment, Plan
B) Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
C) Subjective, Observation, Analysis, Prescription
D) Symptoms, Objective, Analysis, Procedure
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: SOAP stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan. It is a standardized method of
documenting patient encounters.
Question 2
Which component of a SOAP note includes information directly reported by the patient?
A) Objective
B) Assessment
C) Plan
D) Subjective
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The Subjective section captures the patient’s symptoms, feelings, perceptions, and history
in their own words (e.g., chief complaint, HPI, ROS).
,Question 3
Under which section would you document vital signs?
A) Subjective
B) Objective
C) Assessment
D) Plan
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Vital signs are measurable, observable data, making them part of the Objective section.
Question 4
A patient says, “I have had a headache for 3 days.” In which section should this be recorded?
A) Objective
B) Assessment
C) Subjective
D) Plan
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: This is a direct quote from the patient describing their symptom, so it belongs in the
Subjective section.
Question 5
, Which of the following is an example of objective data?
A) “I feel nauseous”
B) “The pain is sharp”
C) Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
D) “My father had diabetes”
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Blood pressure is measured and observed, not reported subjectively.
Question 6
In the Assessment section, the clinician should:
A) List only diagnostic tests ordered
B) Synthesize subjective and objective data into a differential diagnosis
C) Repeat the patient’s chief complaint
D) Document the patient’s insurance information
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Assessment integrates subjective and objective findings to form diagnoses or
differentials.
Question 7
Which part of the SOAP note describes the treatment and follow-up?
A) Subjective
B) Objective
C) Assessment
Answers & Explanations
Question 1
What does the acronym SOAP stand for in clinical documentation?
A) Summary, Objective, Assessment, Plan
B) Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
C) Subjective, Observation, Analysis, Prescription
D) Symptoms, Objective, Analysis, Procedure
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: SOAP stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan. It is a standardized method of
documenting patient encounters.
Question 2
Which component of a SOAP note includes information directly reported by the patient?
A) Objective
B) Assessment
C) Plan
D) Subjective
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The Subjective section captures the patient’s symptoms, feelings, perceptions, and history
in their own words (e.g., chief complaint, HPI, ROS).
,Question 3
Under which section would you document vital signs?
A) Subjective
B) Objective
C) Assessment
D) Plan
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Vital signs are measurable, observable data, making them part of the Objective section.
Question 4
A patient says, “I have had a headache for 3 days.” In which section should this be recorded?
A) Objective
B) Assessment
C) Subjective
D) Plan
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: This is a direct quote from the patient describing their symptom, so it belongs in the
Subjective section.
Question 5
, Which of the following is an example of objective data?
A) “I feel nauseous”
B) “The pain is sharp”
C) Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
D) “My father had diabetes”
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Blood pressure is measured and observed, not reported subjectively.
Question 6
In the Assessment section, the clinician should:
A) List only diagnostic tests ordered
B) Synthesize subjective and objective data into a differential diagnosis
C) Repeat the patient’s chief complaint
D) Document the patient’s insurance information
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Assessment integrates subjective and objective findings to form diagnoses or
differentials.
Question 7
Which part of the SOAP note describes the treatment and follow-up?
A) Subjective
B) Objective
C) Assessment