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FIND MSN PROGRAMSFIND MSN PROGRAMSWritten By: Darby Faubion BSN, RN One of the most important duties nurses of all levels have is gathering and documenting patient data. The two main types of patient data nurses gather are subjective and objective nursing data. Perhaps you are a new nurse and have questioned, "What’s the difference between subjective vs. objective nursing data?" Maybe you have been a nurse for some time and want to brush up on your assessment and documentation skills. Whichever of these applies to you, it is necessary to know the difference between subjective and objective data. In this article, I will present information to you to help you develop an understanding of the difference between subjective vs. objective nursing data with 10 real-life examples. RECOMMENDED ONLINE MSN PROGRAMSWhy Is Data Gathered During The Assessment Phase Of The Nursing Process?The assessment phase is the first phase of the nursing process. Data is gathered during this phase, allowing nurses and other healthcare providers to create a holistic view of the patient. The data gathered is used to develop personalized treatment plans, provide a basis upon which patient progress is measured, determine continuing treatment plan options or changes, improve communication between the patient and interdisciplinary healthcare team, and enhance patient outcomes. What Are The Two Types Of Data Gathered During The Assessment Phase Of The Nursing Process?The two primary types of data collected during the assessment phase of the nursing process are subjective nursing data and objective nursing data. Subjective and objective data in nursing come from various sources. It is essential for nurses to develop the proper skills and methods to obtain data in order to provide high-quality patient care and help improve patient outcomes. Reasons Why Nurses Need To Understand The Difference Between Subjective VS. Objective Data In NursingIt is necessary for nurses to understand the difference between subjective vs. objective nursing data for several reasons. The following are a few of the top reasons nurses should learn the difference between these two types of data. • Understanding the difference between subjective vs. objective nursing data helps nurses create accurate documentation. SUBJECTIVE VS. OBJECTIVE DATA IN NURSING: SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISONThe following is a side-by-side comparison of subjective vs. objective nursing data.
WHAT ARE THE KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SUBJECTIVE VS. OBJECTIVE NURSING DATA?When it comes to understanding subjective vs. objective nursing data, the lines can sometimes seem blurred. For nurses, it is imperative to identify which data are subjective and which are objective and to document them appropriately. The following are the 8 key differences between subjective vs. objective data in nursing. 1. Subjective data are symptoms felt by the patient while objective data is not felt by the patient. 2. Objective data are observable and may appear to contradict what the patient says, but it does not mean the subjective data is wrong. 3. Subjective data can come from a primary source (the patient) or a secondary source (patient’s family, caregivers, or other team members). The nurse gathers objective nursing data from measurable sources including, but not limited to, laboratory or diagnostic tests and vital signs. 4. Subjective data in nursing does not have to be proven. Instead, it is a report of what the patient feels, thinks, and perceives to be true. Objective nursing data, on the other hand, is based upon facts, not feelings or opinions. 5. Subjective data may lead nurses to conclude one nursing diagnosis while the objective data may point to a different nursing diagnosis. For this reason, it is essential for nurses to weigh both objective and subjective nursing data when developing nursing diagnoses and care plans. 6. Depending on the patient’s response to treatment, objective nursing data may change more quickly than subjective nursing data. 7. Subjective nursing data may suggest the patient is experiencing a symptom related to an illness or disease. However, the objective data obtained from the laboratory or diagnostic testing may not indicate the original assumption requiring further testing. On the other hand, patients are more likely to have subjective nursing data that support objective nursing data than vice versa. 8. Subjective vs. Objective nursing data tend to cross lines, especially when nurses are unsure how to differentiate between them. The key difference between subjective and objective nursing data is the source from which the data is gathered. UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUBJECTIVE VS. OBJECTIVE NURSING DATA WITH EXAMPLESThe following 10 real-life examples will help you clearly understand the difference between subjective vs. objective data in nursing.
Subjective VS. Objective Data In Nursing: Which Is More Important?When comparing subjective vs. objective nursing, it is necessary for nurses to understand that each is equally important. The more experienced a nurse becomes performing nursing assessments, the easier it becomes to distinguish between subjective and objective nursing data and learn the proper way to document each. My Final ThoughtsSubjective and objective nursing data are essential parts of any nursing assessment and patient care plan. Throughout this article, we have addressed the question, "What’s the difference between subjective vs. objective nursing data?” It is possible to take the information here about understanding the difference between subjective vs. objective nursing data with 10 real-life examples and begin to develop a deeper understanding of how to gather, organize, and use nursing data to improve the delivery of care and promote positive patient outcomes by serving the patient holistically. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY OUR EXPERT1. What Are The Tools For Recording Assessment Data In Nursing?Several tools are used to record assessment data such as patient flow charts, vital signs sheets, nurses’ notes, intake and output forms, shift report forms, and patient surveys. 2. What Is Subjective History?A subjective history is an accumulation of pertinent information about the patient with the patient being the primary source of that information. A patient's history can include short-term and long-term data as it relates to the patient and is used to gauge objective assessments and establish care plans. 3. What Is A Subjective Observation?A subjective observation in nursing is a sign that cannot be measured. For example, feelings of nausea, headaches, or aching muscles. The patient may be able to express how bad a pain feels to her on a pain scale, but it is impossible for a nurse to measure the pain on the patient's behalf. 4. What Are Subjective Symptoms?Subjective symptoms are information that the patient can relay to the nurse, but the nurse cannot measure. For example, complaints of pain, headache, nausea, chills, or fatigue are examples of subjective symptoms. 5. What Does Objective Clinical Findings Mean?Objective clinical findings is the term used to describe anything related to a patient's status that can be measured. For example, atrophy, decreased range of motion, laboratory results, radiological test results, and alterations in vital signs. 6. Is Review Of Systems Subjective OR Objective?Review of Systems (ROS) is considered subjective data in nursing. The review of systems serves as a guide to help nurses and other healthcare practitioners identify underlying illness or potential problems. Once a review of systems is complete, the nurse can follow up with an objective nursing assessment. 7. Are Height And Weight Subjective OR Objective Data?Height and weight are measurable and, therefore, are considered objective nursing data. 8. Is Labored Respiration Subjective OR Objective?A patient’s complaint of labored or difficult respiration is subjective. However, the nurse may observe objective signs that accompany the patient’s subjective report of labored respiration such as cyanosis, difficulty lying flat, or gasping for breath. 9. Is Headache Objective OR Subjective?Headaches are an example of subjective data. Although the nurse may observe signs that indicate the patient has a headache, such as the patient rubbing his head or avoiding bright lights, only the patient can feel the headache. 10. Is Anxiety Subjective OR Objective?Anxiety is another example of subjective nursing data. 11. Is Nausea Subjective OR Objective?Nausea, like headaches and anxiety, is subjective. While the report of nausea may be accompanied by objective signs such as vomiting, nausea is only felt by the patient, making it subjective. 12. Are Vital Signs Objective Data?Objective data is anything related to the patient that can be measured. Therefore, vital signs are a perfect example of objective data in nursing. 13. Is Coughing A Subjective OR Objective Data?Technically, coughing is considered subjective nursing data. The patient reports coughing and can tell the nurse how often and whether the cough is productive or nonproductive. Because the nurse can document objective findings of cough if he observes the patient coughing, some nurses may argue that coughing can be both subjective or objective data. 14. Is Edema Subjective OR Objective Data?Edema is defined as a palpable swelling produced by the accumulation of fluid in intercellular tissue. The words "palpable" and "swelling" in this definition indicate something observable or measurable, which means edema is classified as objective data in nursing. 15. Is Blood Pressure Subjective OR Objective Data?Blood pressure is measurable and, therefore, objective data in nursing. 16. Is Age Subjective OR Objective Data?Age is classified as objective nursing data. 19. Is Pain Subjective OR Objective Data?Pain is one of the best examples of subjective nursing data available. It is not uncommon for nurses to observe signs that indicate a patient is experiencing pain. However, only the patient can say where he is hurting or rate the pain, making it subjective. 20. Is A Sore Throat Objective OR Subjective?As with a headache or toothache, the nurse may see signs which could make her believe the patient's throat is sore such as talking in a whisper or avoiding swallowing food, the nurse cannot measure throat pain. Therefore, the report of a sore throat is subjective data. Darby Faubion BSN, RNDarby Faubion is a nurse and Allied Health educator with over twenty years of experience. She has assisted in developing curriculum for nursing programs and has instructed students at both community college and university levels. Because of her love of nursing education, Darby became a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach and assists nursing graduates across the United States who are preparing to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). What sources can you use to gather information about your patient?Depending on the measure, data can be collected from different sources, including medical records, patient surveys, and administrative databases used to pay bills or to manage care.
What are the sources of data in nursing?The client is the primary source of data. Family members or other support persons, other health professionals, records and reports, laboratory and diagnostic analyses, and relevant literature are called secondary sources. The primary methods used to collect data are observing, interviewing, and examining.
Which information would the nurse document in a patient's medical record?Documentation by nurses includes recording patient assessments, writing progress notes, and creating or addressing information included in nursing care plans. Nursing care plans are further discussed in the “Planning” section of the “Nursing Process” chapter.
Which sources would the nurse use to collect objective patient cues during the assessment?Nurses may also obtain objective data from patient charts, laboratory test results, or other diagnostic test results. Any information that is measurable, such as vital signs or the patient's weight are objective nursing data collected during the nursing assessment.
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