What is a "symptom" in the context of patient assessment?

In the context of patient assessment, a "symptom" refers to any change in the body or its functions that is experienced and reported by the patient. This encompasses sensations such as pain, fatigue, or nausea that the patient perceives, and it is crucial for healthcare practitioners because it provides insight into the patient's condition from their own perspective.

Understanding symptoms is vital for diagnosis because they often guide further examination or testing. This differs fundamentally from observable signs, which are conditions that can be detected by the examiner during a physical examination. Additionally, vital sign measurements provide quantifiable data (like blood pressure and heart rate), while diagnostic test results refer to findings from laboratory or imaging studies that assist in forming a diagnosis. Each of these components plays a role in patient assessment, but symptoms are specifically tied to the patient's subjective experience.