How is a symptom defined?

A symptom is defined as a feeling or experience expressed by the patient. Symptoms are subjective indicators of a condition that only the patient can report, such as pain, fatigue, or nausea. They provide insight into the patient's internal state and are crucial for understanding their health status and forming a diagnosis.

The other choices focus on observable signs or specific medical terminology that may not encompass the full nature of symptoms. While signs can indeed be observed by healthcare providers or anyone else, they differ from symptoms, which rely on the patient's personal experience. A visible rash or similar medical term represents a physical manifestation of a condition that can be observed and thus falls under the category of signs, not symptoms. Lastly, indications detectable through imaging are typically diagnostic tools that reveal underlying conditions rather than describe the patient's subjective experiences. Thus, the essence of a symptom is rooted in the patient's own expression of their health-related feelings or issues.