Advanced Health Assessment Practice Exam

In what section of the SOAP note would you document a patient's treatment plan?

1. S - Subjective

2. O - Objective

3. A - Assessment

4. P - Plan

The correct answer is: P - Plan

The treatment plan for a patient is documented in the "P" section of the SOAP note, which stands for Plan. This section is dedicated to outlining the specific steps that will be taken to manage the patient's condition. This includes any treatments, medications, referrals, patient education, and follow-up actions that are recommended based on the subjective and objective findings as well as the practitioner’s assessment of the patient's health status. In the context of the SOAP note, each section serves a distinct purpose: the Subjective section captures the patient’s reported symptoms and concerns, the Objective section includes measurable data from exams or tests, and the Assessment section provides the healthcare provider’s clinical judgment regarding the patient’s conditions or diagnosis. However, it is the Plan section that consolidates all this information into actionable steps, detailing how the patient’s health concerns will be addressed. Consequently, focusing on this section fosters a clear communication channel for both healthcare providers and patients to follow the agreed-upon treatment pathway.