Which of the following statements is an example of subjective data?

Appeared in: GMCH - 2015

Explanation

Subjective data, also known as symptoms, is information provided by the patient about their feelings and experiences.
The statement 'I am having Nausea' is a classic example of subjective data because nausea is a sensation that only the patient can perceive.
It cannot be directly measured or observed by the healthcare provider, making it a subjective report from the patient's point of view.

Option A: Blood pressure reading is a precise measurement obtained using a sphygmomanometer, making it objective data.
Option C: Redness is a visible sign of inflammation or irritation that can be directly observed by the nurse, classifying it as objective data.
Option D: Oral temperature is a quantifiable measurement taken with a thermometer, which is a form of objective data.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Differentiating between subjective and objective data in nursing assessment as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Accurate documentation requires nurses to clearly distinguish and label data as subjective (e.g., 'Patient states...') or objective (e.g., 'BP 130/90').
This distinction is fundamental to the nursing process (Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation - ADPIE), as both data types are needed for a complete clinical picture.
What if? If a patient reports severe abdominal pain (subjective) but has normal vital signs and no visible signs of distress (objective), the nurse must still take the subjective report seriously and investigate further, as it could indicate a serious underlying issue not yet physically apparent.

How to Approach the Question

First, understand the core question: it asks to identify 'subjective data'.
Define 'subjective data' in your mind: It's what the subject (the patient) tells you. It's a symptom, a feeling, a perception. A helpful mnemonic is 'S' for Subjective and 'S' for Says.
Define 'objective data': It's what you observe or measure. It's a sign. A helpful mnemonic is 'O' for Objective and 'O' for Observe.
Analyze each option: Does it describe something the patient says or feels, or something the nurse can see, hear, touch, or measure?
Option A (BP), C (redness), and D (temperature) are all measurable or observable signs. Option B is a direct quote from the patient about a feeling (a symptom). This makes it the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Differentiating between subjective and objective data in nursing assessment.
Stem keywords: subjective data, objective data, nursing assessment
Lead-in keywords: Which of the following
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor pp. 434-436, 428-430, 433-435

Practise the full GMCH - 2015

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