Which components are included in a SOAP note?

• A. Subjective; Objective; Assessment; Plan
• B. Focus; Data; Action; Response
• C. Situation; Background; Assessment; Recommendation
• D. Focus, Data, Action, Response

Answer: (A)

SOAP notes are organized into four sections: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan. Subjective captures the patient’s own words about symptoms, history, and concerns. Objective records what the clinician observes, exam findings, and measurable data from tests. Assessment is the clinician’s synthesis, diagnosing or forming an impression from combining subjective and objective information. Plan lays out what will be done next—treatment decisions, medications, tests to order, referrals, and follow-up.

That four-part structure is why this option is the best fit. The other framings use different terms—Focus, Data, Action, Response or Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation—that align with other communication tools or note formats, not the standard SOAP four-part structure.