A nurse is gathering subjective data when admitting a patient. Which assessment finding is considered subjective data? The patient:
a. complains of chest pain.
b. is experiencing dyspnea.
c. appears to be anxious.
d. expectorates red-tinged sputum.
A
Symptoms are subjective indications of illness that are perceived by the patient. Examples of symptoms are pain, nausea, vertigo, pruritus, diplopia, numbness, and anxiety. The nurse is unaware of symptoms unless the patient describes the sensation. Symptoms are referred to as subjective data. Chest pain is the only subjective assessment finding. All other options are examples of objective data.
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