Subjective VS. Objective Nursing: The Ultimate Guide
Nursing, as a profession, requires a multifaceted approach that combines empathy, intuition, and critical thinking with evidence-based practice. At the core of this duality lies the distinction between subjective and objective data in nursing jobs.
Throughout this guide, we will explore the importance of recognizing and understanding both subjective and objective elements in nursing practice. We will examine how subjective data, such as patient narratives and self-reporting, contribute to holistic patient care, ensuring their unique needs and perspectives are acknowledged. Simultaneously, we will dive into the significance of objective data, highlighting its role in establishing a solid foundation for clinical decision-making and the implementation of evidence-based interventions.
Together, we will explore the differences between subjective and objective nursing to help readers understand which approach may be more suitable for them.
What is subjective nursing data?
Subjective nursing data are collected from sources other than the nurse's observations. It refers to information obtained directly from the patient through verbal communication, self-reporting, or their expressed experiences, feelings, and perceptions.
It encompasses the patient's subjective account of their symptoms, concerns, emotions, and overall well-being. As a nurse, you gather this data by actively listening to the patient's verbal cues, engaging in open-ended questioning, and creating a safe and supportive environment that encourages honest communication.
Subjective nursing data can encompass a wide range of information, including:
Chief complaint
The primary reason the patient sought medical attention, expressed in their own words. For example, "I have been experiencing severe abdominal pain for the past two days."
Symptoms
The patient's perception and description of their physical or psychological discomfort. This may include pain, fatigue, dizziness, anxiety, depression, or any other symptom they communicate.
History of present illness
A detailed account of the current illness or condition, including its onset, duration, progression, and any factors that worsen or alleviate the symptoms. The patient's narrative provides crucial contextual information.
Past medical history
Information about the patient's previous medical conditions, surgeries, allergies, medications, and family medical history. It helps in understanding the patient's health background and potential risk factors.
Lifestyle factors
The patient's habits, behaviors, and environmental factors may impact their health, such as diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption, occupation, and living conditions.
Psychosocial and emotional factors
The patient's psychological well-being, social support network, stressors, coping mechanisms, and any emotional factors that may influence their health status or treatment outcomes.
Patient goals and expectations
The patient's desired outcomes, expectations, and concerns regarding their healthcare experience. Understanding their goals helps tailor the care plan to align with their needs and preferences.
What is objective nursing data?
Objective nursing data refers to measurable and observable information obtained through clinical assessments, diagnostic tests, and observations made by healthcare professionals. It involves gathering concrete, factual data about the patient's physical, physiological, and psychological status.
Objective nursing data includes:
Vital signs
Objective measurements such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and oxygen saturation. These provide vital information about the patient's physiological stability and overall health status.
Physical examination findings
Objective observations made during a systematic assessment of the patient's body systems. This includes assessments of the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, neurological system, musculoskeletal system, and others.
Laboratory and diagnostic test results
Objective data obtained from blood tests, urine tests, imaging studies (such as X-rays or MRIs), electrocardiograms (ECGs), and other diagnostic procedures. These results provide important insights into the patient's organ function, blood values, and overall health status.
Objective observations
Objective data collected through direct observation of the patient's physical appearance, behavior, and responses. This includes the patient's skin color, posture, gait, level of consciousness, speech patterns, and any observable signs of distress or discomfort.
Medication administration records
Objective documentation of medications administered, including the dosage, route, time, and any relevant observations or responses to the medication.
Nursing and interdisciplinary notes
Objective documentation of nursing interventions, patient responses, and collaborative efforts among healthcare team members. These notes provide a comprehensive record of the patient's progress, response to treatments, and changes in their condition over time.
Subjective vs objective nursing
Nurses continuously observe, measure, and record information using both subjective and objective data. In the nursing context, subjective and objective data can also be referred to as "signs" and "symptoms." Signs encompass the data gathered by nurses during assessments, such as vital signs, visual inspections, auscultation, and laboratory results. These signs can be objectively confirmed by any nurse with similar training, leading to consistent conclusions. Although there may be some subjectivity in assessments (for instance, describing the severity of pitting edema as 2+ or 3+), overall, there should be agreement among similarly trained nurses.
On the other hand, symptoms are what patients express about their own experiences. While these symptoms are valuable for clinical evaluation, they often cannot be objectively confirmed. Comprehensive patient history is crucial for a thorough assessment, but a majority of the information obtained through history-taking is subjective.
To provide an example, a patient may inform their nurse that they feel nauseous. This represents a subjective experience because the nurse cannot directly verify the patient's nausea. The nurse can only interpret and rely on what the patient communicates. However, the nurse can objectively state that the patient's skin is clammy, they have an elevated heart rate, and they have vomited 300 ml of green emesis.
Nurses employ subjective and objective data to formulate nursing diagnoses and plan patient care. However, when documenting and communicating with colleagues, it is best to incorporate both subjective and objective data to convey a complete clinical picture. To minimize bias in evaluation and communication, it is important to provide detailed descriptions of subjective data.
Why is subjective nursing data important?
Subjective data holds great significance in nursing as it stems directly from the patient, offering a comprehensive portrayal of their experiences. Consequently, it becomes a fundamental component in the development of care plans. By providing insight into the patient's psychological, physiological, and sociological well-being, subjective data serves as an indicator of potential concerns and highlights the patient's unique strengths. This information aids nurses in effective communication and enables them to deliver personalized care that addresses the patient's needs and fosters their overall well-being.
So subjective data is crucial in nursing for several reasons:
Holistic care
Subjective data helps nurses gain a comprehensive understanding of the patient's health status, including their physical, psychological, emotional, and social well-being. By listening to patients' subjective experiences, nurses can provide holistic care that addresses all aspects of the patient's health.
Patient-centered care
Subjective data allows nurses to focus on individual patients' needs and preferences. By actively listening and valuing the patient's perspective, nurses can tailor their care plans to align with the patient's goals, beliefs, and values. This patient-centered approach promotes better outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Assessing symptoms and changes
Subjective data is essential in assessing and monitoring symptoms. Patients often describe their symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, nausea, or anxiety, which cannot be directly observed. By gathering subjective data, nurses can evaluate the severity, location, duration, and quality of symptoms, facilitating accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Establishing rapport and trust
Actively listening to patients' subjective experiences fosters rapport and trust between the nurse and the patient. When patients feel heard and validated, they are more likely to openly share their concerns, fears, and sensitive information. This trust forms the foundation for effective communication and therapeutic relationships, improving patient outcomes.
Detecting changes in health status
Subjective data helps nurses identify changes in a patient's health status. By regularly assessing patients' subjective experiences, nurses can detect subtle variations or new symptoms that may indicate deterioration or improvement in the patient's condition. This early recognition allows prompt intervention and prevents complications.
Why is objective nursing data important?
Objective nursing data plays a crucial role in patient assessments, providing a perspective on the patient's condition based on the observations of the assessing nurse. While a patient's subjective report of "My stomach hurts" is valuable, objective data encompasses measurable factors like vital signs and abnormal lab results. These objective indicators serve as important clues for healthcare practitioners, guiding them in the diagnostic process and identifying potential areas of concern.
So objective nursing data is important for several reasons:
Accuracy and precision
Objective data provides concrete, measurable information about a patient's condition. It is based on observable signs, physical assessments, laboratory results, and diagnostic tests. This data is factual and helps to establish a more accurate and precise understanding of the patient's health status.
Diagnosis and treatment
Objective data plays a critical role in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. It helps healthcare professionals identify abnormalities, establish patterns, and make informed decisions about appropriate interventions. Objective data can assist in confirming or ruling out specific conditions, guiding the selection of diagnostic tests, and determining the most effective treatments.
Monitoring progress and outcomes
Objective data allows healthcare providers to objectively track the progress and outcomes of interventions. By comparing objective measurements over time, such as vital signs, lab values, or physical assessments, nurses can assess whether the patient's condition is improving, deteriorating, or remaining stable. This data is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of interventions and making necessary adjustments to the care plan.
Documentation and legal protection
Objective data forms a critical part of accurate and comprehensive documentation in healthcare records. It helps create a complete picture of the patient's health status, interventions, and responses to treatments. Objective data is crucial in legal and forensic contexts, serving as evidence to support clinical decisions, demonstrate adherence to standards of care, and protect healthcare professionals against potential liability.
Research and evidence-based practice
Objective data contributes to the body of knowledge in healthcare by serving as the basis for research and evidence-based practice. It allows researchers to analyze trends, outcomes, and correlations, leading to the development of new guidelines, protocols, and interventions. Objective data ensures the scientific rigor and reliability of research findings, enabling advancements in healthcare.
Overall, objective nursing data is essential for accurate assessment, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, communication, documentation, legal protection, and research. It provides a solid foundation for evidence-based practice, enhancing patient outcomes and promoting quality care.
How do nurses obtain subjective data?
Nurses obtain subjective data through effective communication and patient engagement. They employ various methods to gather this information, including patient interviews, health history assessments, self-reported scales and tools, observation of non-verbal cues, collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, patient and family engagement, etc.
During patient interviews, nurses ask open-ended questions and actively listen to patients' responses. This allows patients to express their thoughts, concerns, and experiences related to their health condition. Additionally, nurses take comprehensive health histories, inquiring about past medical conditions, surgeries, allergies, medications, and family medical history. This information provides valuable insights into the patient's overall health and helps identify potential risk factors or predispositions to certain conditions.
Nurses also employ self-reported scales and tools to gather subjective data. These tools include pain rating scales, depression or anxiety questionnaires, and functional assessments. Patients complete these tools to provide standardized subjective data, enabling nurses to quantify and track their symptoms and overall well-being. Furthermore, nurses pay attention to non-verbal cues, such as body language and facial expressions, which can offer additional insights into patients' emotions and discomfort.
In collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, nurses gather subjective data from various healthcare professionals who may have specific expertise in eliciting information related to their respective areas. Additionally, by engaging patients and their families actively in the care process, nurses create a supportive environment where patients can openly share their concerns, beliefs, and preferences. This partnership facilitates the collection of subjective data and promotes patient-centered care.
How do nurses obtain objective data?
Nurses obtain objective data through a variety of methods involving direct observation, physical assessments, diagnostic tests, collaboration with healthcare professionals, and review of documentation.
Firstly, nurses perform physical assessments by systematically examining the patient's body systems. This includes measuring vital signs, conducting palpation, auscultation, and percussion techniques, assessing mobility and range of motion, and observing the patient's overall physical appearance. These objective measurements provide valuable information about the patient's physiological status.
Secondly, nurses work in collaboration with other healthcare professionals to order and interpret diagnostic tests and laboratory results. They may request blood tests, imaging studies, electrocardiograms (ECGs), or other specialized assessments. Nurses gather objective data from these test results to aid in diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment decisions. By analyzing the objective data from diagnostic tests, nurses can gain further insights into the patient's condition and inform their care planning.
Lastly, nurses review the patient's medical records and documentation to gather objective data. This includes assessing previous assessments, progress notes, surgical reports, and relevant documentation from previous healthcare encounters. Reviewing documentation helps nurses gather information about the patient's medical history, previous treatments, and surgical procedures, providing important context for their current health status.
By employing these methods, nurses gather objective data that forms a critical part of the patient's assessment. This objective data, when combined with subjective data, enables nurses to develop comprehensive care plans, make accurate diagnoses, monitor patient progress, and make informed decisions about treatment and interventions.
Key skills to obtain and assess subjective nursing data
Subjective nursing data is gathered through various communication channels. Nurses engage in direct communication with patients to collect primary subjective nursing data, while they may rely on the patient's family, caregivers, or other healthcare team members to gather secondary subjective nursing data.
Effective communication skills are essential for accurately obtaining and assessing this type of data. The following are some ways to highlight the key skills required to accurately obtain subjective assessment nursing and subjective nursing data:
Active listening
Respect your patient's personal boundaries
Trust your nursing instincts
Rapport building
Trustworthiness
Interviewing and questioning techniques
Reflective and non-judgmental attitude
Conflict resolution skills
Sensitivity to non-verbal cues
Ability to manage difficult conversations
Time management and organization
Knowledge of therapeutic communication techniques
Cultural humility
Patient advocacy
Understanding of developmental stages and age-specific communication techniques
Ability to establish a supportive and non-threatening environment
Recognition and management of biases and personal values
Familiarity with different communication styles and preferences
Key skills to obtain and assess objective nursing data
Objective nursing data is obtained and evaluated through the use of various signs and symptoms observed by the nurse. The following are essential skills required to accurately collect and assess objective nursing data:
Proficiency in physical assessment techniques
Knowledge of diagnostic tests and their interpretation
Competence in using medical equipment and technology
Attention to detail in observing and recording objective measurements
Collaboration with interdisciplinary team members
Critical thinking and analytical skills to interpret objective data accurately
Ability to follow standardized protocols and procedures
Familiarity with anatomical and physiological principles
Understanding of normal ranges and variations in objective measurements
Documentation skills for accurately recording objective data
Time management and organizational skills to ensure the timely collection of objective data
Adherence to ethical and legal guidelines in obtaining and documenting objective data
Continuous learning and staying updated on advancements in diagnostic and assessment techniques
Effective communication with patients and healthcare professionals regarding objective data findings
Adaptability to different patient populations and varying assessment needs
Subjective and objective data examples
The following real-life subjective and objective data examples will help you clearly understand the difference between subjective vs. objective data in nursing.
Subjective vs objective nursing data- example #1
Situation:
Mr. Smith, a thirty-year-old Caucasian male, visits the outpatient clinic with a chief complaint of experiencing nausea and vomiting for the past two days. He mentioned that he last vomited approximately one hour prior to arriving at the clinic. Additionally, Mr. Smith reports feeling weak and shaky, accompanied by sweating despite feeling cold. His vital signs are as follows: blood pressure (BP) of 142/84 mmHg, pulse (P) rate of 72 beats per minute, respiratory (R) rate of 18 breaths per minute, and a temperature (T) reading of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit. He denies any pain and mentions that there have been no changes in his medication since his last clinic visit.
Examples of subjective data:
Patient’s complaints of nausea
Vomiting
Feeling shaky and cold
Denying pain
Examples of objective data:
Mr. Smith’s age
Vital signs
Being sweaty
Subjective vs objective nursing data- example #2
Situation:
After a fall at the nursing home, Mr. Orlando is transported to the emergency room by an ambulance. His vital signs are recorded as follows: blood pressure of 150/96, pulse rate of 88, respiration rate of 18, and a body temperature of 99.4 degrees. On examination, it is observed that Mr. Orlando's left lower leg is swollen and sensitive to touch, causing him to grimace and request the nurse not to touch it due to the intense pain he experiences. Initial X-rays reveal a fracture in his right tibia. When asked to rate the pain in his leg on a scale of 1 to 10, Mr. Orlando rates it as a 10.
Example of subjective data:
Mr. Orlando’s complaint of pain as a 10 on the pain scale
Examples of objective data:
Mr. Orlando’s vital signs
The observation that his leg is swollen and tender
His grimacing reaction
The x-ray results
Subjective vs objective nursing data- example #3
Situation:
Mallory, a nineteen-year-old, has a medical background of bipolar depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and a previous suicide attempt. She has been brought to the mental health crisis center by her mother, who expresses concerns about Mallory's recent behaviors, including self-harm. Mallory discloses experiencing intense self-loathing, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, and thoughts of self-harm. She occasionally believes that the world would be better off without her. However, she denies having a specific plan for self-harm or suicide. Nurse Parks observes several small cuts on the top of Mallory's forearm and inquires about their origin. Mallory reveals that she had contemplated cutting her wrists but decided against it. Nurse Parks documents that Mallory displays a flat emotional response. Mallory denies experiencing any pain or discomfort and states that she does not have any questions or concerns. Additionally, she does not respond to painful stimuli.
Examples of subjective data:
The feelings of self-loathing
Reported difficulty sleeping
Loss of appetite
Thoughts of self-harm
Denial of pain
The mother's report that Mallory is demonstrating self-harming behaviors is a type of secondary subjective data.
Examples of objective data:
The patient’s affect
The cuts seen on her arms
Subjective vs objective nursing data- example #4
Situation:
Mrs. Jefferys arrives at the emergency room, expressing concerns about various symptoms, including fever, chills, headaches, malaise, shortness of breath, and loss of appetite. She mentions that she has recently come into contact with an individual diagnosed with COVID-19 and believes she has contracted the virus due to her symptoms. Rapid testing for COVID-19 confirms Mrs. Jefferys' suspicion. Her vital signs are as follows: blood pressure of 130/80, pulse rate of 72, respiratory rate of 22, and a body temperature of 100.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Her oxygen saturation level is measured at 94%.
Examples of subjective data:
Mrs. Jefferys' complaints of fever
Chills
Headaches
Malaise
Shortness of breath
Loss of appetite
Mrs. Jefferys' report of exposure to COVID-19
Examples of objective data:
Mrs. Jefferys’s vital signs
Oxygen saturation
The positive COVID-19 test
Subjective vs objective nursing data- example #5
Situation:
Accompanied by his wife, Mr. Bratton visits his primary care provider for an office visit. During the initial assessment, Mrs. Bratton informs the nurse that her husband has been displaying changes in behavior, such as excessive daytime sleepiness and a decreased appetite despite her cooking efforts. She expresses her concern for his well-being. Mr. Bratton himself reports feeling emotionally low and lacking interest in food. Nurse Smith, in addition to the information provided by the couple, documents the following observations in Mr. Bratton's medical chart: stable vital signs, no reported pain or discomfort, a previous weight of 199 pounds at the last office visit, and a current weight of 186 pounds. Furthermore, Mr. Bratton's skin appears pale with normal elasticity, while his mucous membranes exhibit a healthy pink color and moisture.
Examples of subjective data:
The primary subjective data are:
Mr. Bratton's report of feeling down
Having a decreased appetite
Denying pain
The secondary subjective data are:
The symptoms reported by Mrs. Bratton
Examples of objective data:
Mr. Bratton’s vital signs
His weight
The appearance of his skin
Mucous membranes
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the distinction between subjective and objective nursing is crucial for providing comprehensive and effective patient care. While subjective data relies on the patient's perceptions and experiences, objective data involves measurable and observable information. Both types of data play integral roles in the nursing process, as they contribute to accurate assessments, diagnoses, and treatment plans.
FAQs
1- What is an example of subjective in nursing?
An example of subjective data in nursing is when a patient expresses their level of pain. Pain is a subjective experience that can vary greatly from person to person. When a patient reports their pain level on a scale from 0 to 10 or describes the quality, location, and intensity of their pain, it is considered subjective data. The nurse cannot measure or observe the pain directly but relies on the patient's description and perception to assess and address their pain effectively. Other examples of subjective data in nursing include the patient's feelings, emotions, fears, beliefs, and perceptions about their health or illness.
For example, a patient might tell their nurse that they are experiencing nausea. This represents a subjective sensation as the nurse cannot objectively verify the presence of nausea. The nurse's understanding relies solely on the patient's description and interpretation of their symptoms.
2- What is subjective and objective in care?
Subjective data in nursing refers to information that is based on the patient's perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It is typically gathered through interviews and conversations with the patient. Examples of subjective data include the patient's reported symptoms, pain level, emotional state, and personal beliefs or preferences.
Objective data in nursing, on the other hand, refers to measurable and observable information. It includes data that can be obtained through physical assessments, diagnostic tests, and observations. Objective data is factual and independent of the patient's interpretation. Examples of objective data include vital signs (such as blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature), laboratory test results, physical examination findings (such as the appearance of the skin or the presence of swelling), and documented observations of the patient's behavior or responses.
In summary, subjective data in nursing is based on the patient's perspective and cannot be directly measured, while objective data is measurable and observable, providing an unbiased view of the patient's condition. Both types of data are important in nursing practice as they contribute to a comprehensive assessment and help guide clinical decision-making.
