What is the content of a SOAP note?

• A. Subjective data, Objective data, Assessment, and Plan
• B. Subjective data, Objective data, Plan, and Assessment
• C. Objective data, Subjective data, Assessment, and Plan
• D. Subjective data, Assessment, Objective data, and Plan

Answer: (A)

The content follows a standard four-part structure: Subjective data, Objective data, Assessment, and Plan. Subjective data are what the patient reports—the chief complaint, symptoms, duration, quality, severity, and relevant history. Objective data are what you observe or measure—vital signs, physical exam findings, and results from tests or procedures. The Assessment is the clinician’s conclusion based on the gathered information—the diagnosis or impression, often with a differential. The Plan outlines what will be done to manage the patient—turther tests, treatments, medications, referrals, patient education, and follow-up.

This order matters because you start by capturing the patient’s own experience, then confirm and augment it with objective findings, then synthesize everything into a diagnostic impression, and finally specify actionable steps. The other options disrupt this flow by swapping sections or jumping ahead to plans or assessments before you’ve documented the necessary subjective or objective information.