Texas Medical Assistant Certification Practice Test

Which of the following constitutes a sign of disease?

1. Patient complaints of pain

2. Reports of dizziness for 3 days

3. Abdominal cramping for 2 weeks

4. Elevated blood pressure

The correct answer is: Elevated blood pressure

A sign of disease is an objective indication that can be observed or measured by someone other than the patient, typically a healthcare professional. Elevated blood pressure is a physiological measure that can be quantified through medical equipment, providing concrete evidence of a potential health issue. In contrast, the other choices reflect symptoms or complaints that are subjective and rely on the patient’s report. Patient complaints of pain, reports of dizziness, and abdominal cramping are all experiences that the patient feels but cannot be independently measured without assessment tools. Because elevated blood pressure can be detected through routine clinical measurements, it stands out as a definitive sign of a disease process, making it the correct answer in this context.