subective/objective data

laura11 · Sep 30, 2007

if the family is giving history it is subjective. we were taught only things you can verify are objective and coming from the client like bp, temp,. friends , family and charts are all subjective

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Sep 30, 2007

if the client is unconscious and a family member is giving history, is this considered subjective or objective?

yes. any information (data) that that is not real/actual that you or another health professional observed, by default, is considered subjective.

if you look at a dictionary definition of "subjective" you will find this: "of, affected by, or produced by the mind or a particular state of mind; of subject, or person thinking, rather than the attributes of the object through of. . .determined by and emphasizing the ideas, thoughts, feeling, etc. of the artist, writer, or speaker. . . in medicine, designating or of a symptom or condition perceptible only to the patient" (page 1452, webster's new world dictionary of the american language, college edition, 1966).

compare that to the definition of "objective": "of or having to do with a known or perceived object as distinguished from something existing only in the mind of the subject, or person thinking. . .real. . .actual. . .determined by and emphasizing the features and characteristics of the object, or thing dealt with, rather than the thoughts, feelings, etc of the artist, writer, or speaker. . .in medicine, designating or of a symptom or condition perceptible to others besides the patient" (page 1012, webster's new world dictionary of the american language, college edition, 1966).

NightOwl0624 · Sep 30, 2007

Thank you, both.

That's what I thought as well.

My book (page 284, Fundamentals of Nursing, Potter & Perry, 2005) states "Subjective data are client's perceptions about their health problems. Only clients can provide this kind of information."

I thought it was rather confusing the way they explain it. Thanks for the verification.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Sep 30, 2007

Well, if you were specifically asked that on a test, you might legitimately answer that only clients can provide subjective information and defend your answer by showing the instructor this passage in your textbook. However, in the real world we get our data where we can find it. Often we get information from family members, particularly where the patient is confused or comatose. Keep in mind, however, that the farther removed from the patient that the subjective data source is, the more you need to question its validity. Objective facts occupy the top tier.

beth66335, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2007

In our class we are taught that subjective is what the client tells you verbal or non-verbal. Objective is what other people tell you. If the patient is unconscious there is no subjective data, unless you get non-verbal cues ( ie. grimacing from pain). You can also take anything in quotes from the chart;stated, "blah blah blah ". If you answer subjective to anything but data from the patient you will get it wrong. Only the " subject" can give subjective data.

rn/writer, RN · Oct 1, 2007

if the family is giving history it is subjective. we were taught only things you can verify are objective and coming from the client like bp, temp,. friends , family and charts are all subjective

Even though they "come from the client," bp and temp are objective. You are obtaining them. You can measure and verify them.

NightOwl0624 · Oct 1, 2007

In our class we are taught that subjective is what the client tells you verbal or non-verbal. Objective is what other people tell you. If the patient is unconscious there is no subjective data, unless you get non-verbal cues ( ie. grimacing from pain). You can also take anything in quotes from the chart;stated, "blah blah blah ". If you answer subjective to anything but data from the patient you will get it wrong. Only the " subject" can give subjective data.

If the patient is not conscious, and a family reports history, is there another category for that? I know it isn't objective data, but if it isn't subjective either, what is it? Since the patient can't talk for himself, what family members say may be extremely important, obviously!

(luckily this wasn't on our test today, but I think I will ask my professor her opinion tomorrow)

beth66335, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2007

If the patient is not conscious, and a family reports history, is there another category for that? I know it isn't objective data, but if it isn't subjective either, what is it? Since the patient can't talk for himself, what family members say may be extremely important, obviously!
(luckily this wasn't on our test today, but I think I will ask my professor her opinion tomorrow)

If the patients family tells you things about the patient it is still objective. There is no subjective data if it doesn't come from the patient them self. I think it is okay to say you have no subjective data.

Subjective data: Information gathered from patient statements; the patients feelings and perceptions. Not verifiable by another except by inference.

Objective data: Information that can be observed by others; free of feelings, perceptions, prejudices.

aiyah_d · Oct 2, 2007

easy way to remember:

subjective: comes from patient or family

objective:anything you can measure

pain is subjective because we cant measure it

a fever is objective because we can measure it by thermometer

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 2, 2007

Subjective: "I need to pee!"

Objective: Patient voided 1000 cc this shift after 0800 Lasix 120 mg po.

beth66335, BSN, RN · Oct 3, 2007

easy way to remember:
subjective: comes from patient or family
objective:anything you can measure
pain is subjective because we cant measure it
a fever is objective because we can measure it by thermometer

Not family, only the patient.