Which of the following is an example of a symptom?

• A. Elevated blood pressure
• B. Headache
• C. Fainting
• D. Rash

Answer: (B)

Symptoms are subjective experiences reported by the patient. They’re things the patient feels or perceives, not things you can directly observe or measure. A headache is a classic example because the patient must describe the pain—its location, quality, intensity, and onset. You can’t confirm a headache with a device; you rely on the patient’s report.

In contrast, elevated blood pressure is a sign because it’s an objective measurement you obtain with a cuff. Fainting describes a loss of consciousness, which is an observable event and thus a sign. A rash is also something you can see, making it a sign as well. In EMS, you collect both symptoms and signs to understand the patient’s condition, but the headache is the best example of a symptom.