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Is it something that can be observed or something that can be perceived? Objective data is something that another person can see/hear/feel. Subjective is something that only the patient can feel/hear/see. Headache is subjective. Elevated blood pressure is objective.
So knowing that, what do YOU think? Is marital status/social history subjective or objective?
No, if the person is childless and legally married it would be objective data. Subjective is a sensation, feeling or perception, such as pain, smell or hallucination.
Another way to look at it, objective data is verifiable by another individual. A blood pressure can be verified by someone else, a headache cannot. marital status can be verified by another individual.
It's a bit like age - a patient's age is objective data even if we don't have the proof there in front of us.
The patient may not be telling the truth about his smoking or where he lives but it's still the case that both of those things are facts that could be checked or measured or verified by someone else. Whether or not anyone does actually check that the patient lives in New York or has given up smoking doesn't really matter, it's still objective data.
aaprimetime
40 Posts
Need help Is this subjective or objective data, patient is married no children?