What is subjective data?

• A. Observable signs (Vital signs, Lab results)
• B. Lab values
• C. Patient-reported symptoms
• D. Vital signs

Answer: (C)

Subjective data are the patient’s own reports about how they feel and what they’re experiencing. This includes symptoms described in the patient’s own words—things like pain level, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, or other sensations that only the patient can truly know and report. Because it comes from the patient’s perspective, it cannot be directly measured or observed by someone else; it relies on the interview and the patient’s description.

In contrast, objective data are observable and measurable findings, such as vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, temperature) and laboratory results, or signs detected during a physical examination. These are things you can observe or verify with instruments or tests.

So the choice that identifies patient-reported symptoms as subjective data is the best fit. The other options describe data that are observable or measurable by clinicians.