What does SOAP stand for in charting?

The correct answer is that SOAP stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan. This framework is widely used in medical documentation to create a structured format for recording patient information and interactions.

In the SOAP format, "Subjective" refers to the information reported by the patient regarding their symptoms and feelings, which provides personal insights into their condition. "Objective" includes measurable or observable data, such as vitals, physical exams, and lab results, which the healthcare provider has obtained. The "Assessment" section synthesizes the subjective and objective data to provide a professional evaluation of the patient's condition, often leading to a diagnosis or identification of issues. Finally, the "Plan" outlines the steps for treatment, further evaluations, or referrals that will be taken moving forward.

This structured approach ensures that documentation is comprehensive, clear, and organized, making it easier for healthcare providers to communicate about patient care and maintain continuity in treatment. Other choices provided do not align with standard practices of patient documentation and therefore do not accurately represent the SOAP format.