Objective data examples

When it comes to nursing, understanding the difference between subjective vs objective data can be critical in taking note of the situation and dealing with it at utmost efficacy. As healthcare professionals, it can be easy to just look at the numbers: lab values, vitals, and tests and then feel comfortable making a judgment on the patient’s current state. Doing this, however, would fail to take into consideration any of the subjective data that the patient may be able to offer, such as how they are actually feeling, what happened, or any other additional problems or symptoms that they are experiencing.

With this in mind, we’re going to define subjective data as well as objective data so that you are capable of differentiating between the two. Believe it or not, discerning the difference between subjective and objective data is quite simple, we just make it more complicated when we overthink it! So, without further ado, let’s learn about the differences between subjective vs objective data!

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What is Objective Data

Objective Data is the physical data we can observe using our senses. Objective findings come in either a measurement or a direct observation. Objective data cannot be argued, as it is measured and observed through vitals, tests, and physical exams. Objective data is often easier for many to discern, as there is no gray area, which makes it a simpler concept for many nurses and students to grasp.

Here are some Examples of Objective Data Findings:

  • Heart rate
  • Blood pressure
  • Body temperature
  • Height
  • Weight
  • General Appearance
  • Levels of consciousness

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What is Subjective Data

In medicine, a general rule of thumb is that a symptom is subjective, while a sign is objective. Subjective data is going to be information that you receive from the patient or from one of his or her knowledgeable companions. Subjective data is what you are able to pull from the patient such as how they are feeling, what their symptoms are, or what their current concerns are.  This subjective data sometimes takes a backseat to the objective data vitals and numbers, but listening to the patient and getting all the subjective data in their current condition can help you get a full read on the situation and the patient’s story.

One of the most important pieces of subjective data is pain. When a patient comes with symptoms of pain, you know that this pain needs to be addressed, even if there is no objective way to quantify the amount of pain.

Here are some Examples of Subjective Data Findings:

  • Pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Exhaustion
  • Itching
  • Coughing
  • Vomiting

Read through more examples here.

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Examples of Objective and Subjective Data Occurring Concurrently:

To help you understand the differences between subjective vs. objective data, it can help to see situations where they can occur at the same time. Each of these examples include subjective data of the patient telling the nurse about his or her symptoms while the nurse is observing the objective data signs that these symptoms are currently taking place. Let’s look at these examples to make this more clear:

  1. A patient says he has a fever and the nurse reads a high temperature on the thermometer
  2. A patient complains of nausea and the nurse observes her vomiting into the trash can
  3. A patient complains of shakiness and the nurse can see his hands shaking

Each of these examples show the nurse observing objective data that is closely related to the symptoms, or subjective data, that the patient is saying he or she is experiencing. Read through more examples here. 

Why Subjective vs Objective Data is Important for Passing the NCLEX

When taking the NCLEX exam, you will be tested to demonstrate your knowledge and skills of health screening. This can include performing a health history, health, and risk assessment. This includes both the symptoms a patient says they are currently experiencing as well as the empirical objective data that can be measured by the 5 senses. For more on the NCLEX, start here. 

Hopefully you’ve learned a bit on how to differentiate subjective vs objective data and you understand the need for observing the patient as well as listening to his or her story and symptoms to paint the best picture of the patient’s current state. Don’t make the mistake of relying too much on numbers, as every patient deserves a nurse to listen to their story and take in the full picture.

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What is the objective data?

What is objective data? Objective data is factual information that professionals gather through observation or measurement that is true regardless of the feelings or opinions of the person presenting or receiving the information. Objective data is common in research nursing .

How do you find objective data?

How to Get Objective Data. Objective data is obtained as soon as the nurse sees the patient. This involves reading the patient's body language and noticing specific behaviors. The type of eye contact, body positions and hand gestures a patient makes can be the first information that is collected.

What is objective patient data?

Objective patient data involves measurable facts and information like vital signs or the results of a physical examination. Subjective patient data, according to Mosby's Medical Dictionary, “are retrieved from” a “description of an event rather than from a physical examination.”

What are some examples of subjective data?

Subjective data can include information about both symptoms and signs. In the context of subjective data, symptoms are something that the client feels, as illustrated in Figure 1.3 (e.g., nausea, pain, fatigue). You won't know about a symptom unless the client tells you.