Final answer:
A symptom is a subjective experience reported by the patient, such as pain, while a sign is an objective observation made by a healthcare professional. The correct answer to the fill-in-the-blank question is B) Symptom; Sign.
Step-by-step explanation:
A symptom is what a patient tells you regarding how they feel or what they are experiencing; a sign is what you or the dentist observe in a patient. The correct answer is B) Symptom; Sign.
Unlike signs, symptoms of disease are subjective and are felt or experienced by the patient. These cannot be clinically confirmed or objectively measured. Examples include nausea, loss of appetite, and pain. Professionals sometimes quantify symptoms using scales such as the Wong-Baker Faces pain-rating scale, which assigns a numerical value to the pain.
To identify the cause of an ailment, medical professionals analyze both signs and symptoms. While many diseases can produce similar signs and symptoms, detailed analysis can help determine the correct diagnosis and treatment plan.