Which statement differentiates signs and symptoms of concussion?

• A. Signs are observed by others; symptoms are felt by the person
• B. Signs are more important than symptoms
• C. Signs and symptoms are unrelated
• D. Symptoms are observed by others; signs are felt by the person

Answer: (A)

Understanding the difference between signs and symptoms helps you assess concussion on the sideline. Signs are objective indicators that others can observe or measure, such as clumsiness, confusion, or loss of consciousness. Symptoms are subjective experiences reported by the person, like headache, dizziness, or nausea. The statement that signs are observed by others and symptoms are felt by the person captures this distinction. The other options mix up observation and experience or imply an order of importance, which isn’t about how signs and symptoms differ. In practice, recognizing both types quickly informs whether a player should be removed from play and evaluated.