Final answer:
In the SOAP mnemonic for documentation, the 'A' stands for Assessment. Assessment is an important step in healthcare as it allows professionals to gather information about a patient's health status and make informed decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the SOAP mnemonic for documentation, the 'A' stands for Assessment. In healthcare, assessment refers to the process of gathering information about a patient's health status through observation, medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. It helps healthcare professionals identify the problem and determine the appropriate course of action.