What is a medical or trauma condition that can be observed or measured by an examiner?

A sign is a medical or trauma condition that can be observed or measured by an examiner. Signs are objective findings that a healthcare provider can identify through physical examination, diagnostic tests, or visual evidence. For example, a rash, fever, or abnormal lab results are all considered signs because they can be observed directly or quantified by various medical methods. This concept is crucial in medical assessments, as signs provide reliable evidence of a patient's condition that can aid in diagnosis and treatment.

In contrast, symptoms are subjective experiences reported by the patient, such as pain or fatigue, which cannot be measured directly by an examiner. A syndrome refers to a group of signs and symptoms that occur together and characterize a particular abnormality or condition, and a diagnosis is the identification of a disease based on the assessment of signs, symptoms, and medical history. Understanding the distinction between these terms helps in accurately assessing and communicating about patient conditions in clinical practice.