Subjective or Objective?

[bedpan]

On our last BN test we had a section asking us to identify if certain situations would be subjective or objective data

One of the examples (which I missed) was the one listed in the poll

I still do not quite understand the explanation the Instructor gave as to why the answer was the one she said so I wondered if people here would give an explanation as to which one they believe it is

I am purposely waiting to say which I believe and which she said and why she said it so as not to influence anyone's choice LOL

But I promise I will give the explanation she gave after people have answered (If anyone bothers to that is)

Thanx in advance

[Carolanne]

I say subjective. I think say is subjective (S). It's the patient's statement. Objective is what YOU see. Physical findings, etc. Subjective is Mom states child hasn't had much of an appetite. Objective would be child appears pale, elevated temp, sitting quietly with Mom, etc. Hope this helps a little.

[neneRN, BSN, RN]

Subjective. It is the mom's opinion (even though she may be accurate) that the child has little appetite. A fact can be clearly measured or proven. For example, if she stated, "He ate one bite of dinner and drank 1/2 cup of juice," her statement would then be objective.

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

I was always taught that objective data is what you can see and measure subjective data was what teh patient reported as feeling. I definitely vote for subjective.

I know that they make a big thing about this in the schools but when you get to clinical practice we ( I mean over here) rarely use this distinction on a day to day basis.

[Paige Turner RN]

can't see it or measure it.........it is an opinion....which makes it subjective

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

You were TOLD that the child had no appetite, which means subjective.

The way i remember the difference (weird i know) is that objective begins with an O so i remember it as "O I SEE" to remember taht objective is what i'm seeing.

[KRVRN, BSN, RN]

I agree, subjective. If the mom said "my child usually eats this and that this often and now he only eats XYZ" then that would be objective.

Now, saying her "child won't eat" is objective, but saying "he hasn't much appetite" would be subjective in my opinion. Anyone agree or disagree?

[jenac]

I say subjective, and agree with the reasons posted already. I was taught that objective is something you can see (an object)-like a bruise or blood, something measurable. Loss of appetite is like pain-you can only go by what your told.

[NurseDixie]

I vote for subjective, for the same reasons the rest of the group states.

[barb4575]

I initially voted for subjective, but changed it since you did not state the age of the child...if the child cannot speak, it would be subjective in my opinion. But, if the child can speak, it would be an observation of the mother hence objective.

[LeesieBug]

Agree that it is subjective..it's based on an opinion. Even if the child can speak, the info is based on the mother's interpretation of the situation, as she is the one giving the information.

[kbstudent]

I vote for subjective. This is not something you saw with your own eyes, it was reported to you. It was the mom's opinion, could be right or wrong, but I feel still subjective.