What is the action called when a doctor determines what disease a patient has?

• A. Diagnosis
• B. Prognosis
• C. Therapy
• D. Prevention

Answer: (A)

Identifying the disease a patient has is called a diagnosis. It means the clinician analyzes symptoms, medical history, exam findings, and test results to determine exactly which illness is present. This step guides what treatment is needed and how the condition might progress. It’s different from prognosis, which predicts the likely course and outcome; from therapy, which is the treatment itself; and from prevention, which aims to stop disease from occurring or spreading. For example, combining symptoms with test results can lead to diagnosing a specific infection or condition, shaping the appropriate treatment plan.