The nurse collects subjective data while doing patient assessment; which of the condition nursing documents?

Appeared in: NVS- 2025

Explanation

Subjective data, also known as symptoms, are what the patient reports, feels, or perceives.
Nausea is a classic example of a symptom that cannot be objectively measured or verified by a nurse; it relies entirely on the patient's self-report.
The nurse documents this statement as part of the patient's subjective experience.

Option B: A temperature reading of 102°F is objective data. It is a precise measurement obtained using a medical instrument (thermometer) and can be verified by anyone.
Option C: Swollen ankles (edema) are objective data. This is a physical sign that the nurse can directly observe, palpate, and even measure.
Option D: Vomiting is objective data. The act of vomiting is an observable physical event that the nurse can witness and document.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Subjective vs. Objective Data in Nursing Assessment to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Accurately differentiating and documenting subjective and objective data is a fundamental component of the nursing process (ADPIE), ensuring a complete and accurate patient assessment.
Clear documentation separates what the patient states (subjective, often in quotes) from what the nurse observes (objective), which is crucial for legal and continuity of care purposes.
What if? If a patient reports feeling dizzy (subjective), the nurse's next action is to gather related objective data, such as checking orthostatic blood pressure and observing the patient's gait, to validate the symptom and identify a potential cause.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'subjective data'.
Define 'subjective data' in your mind: It's what the patient says or feels, something that cannot be measured or seen by the nurse.
Analyze each option to see if it fits this definition.
Option A ('feeling nauseous'): This is a feeling reported by the patient. It is subjective.
Option B ('Temperature is 102°F'): This is a measurement. It is objective.
Option C ('ankles are swollen'): This is an observation. It is objective.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 433-435

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 1 p. 247-249

Practise the full NVS- 2025

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.