The nurse is caring for a client who complains of pain and nausea. The patient has vomited twice on day shift and reports one loose stool. A review of labs shows an elevated serum potassium level

Question

Which of these signs and symptoms are examples of subjective data?
(Select all that apply.)
Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

1. Nausea
2. Elevated serum potassium level
3. Pain
4. Vomiting
5. Loose stool

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1, 3, 5

Rationale 1: Nausea is subjective data that is reported by the client.
Rationale 2: Elevated serum potassium is an example of objective data.
Rationale 3: Pain is subjective data that is reported by the client.
Rationale 4: Vomiting is an example of objective data.
Rationale 5: Loose stool is an example of subjective data because the patient reports this; the nurse did not witness this.

Global Rationale: Subjective data is data obtained from the client and includes nausea, pain, and the report of a loose stool that the nurse did not witness. Objective data is data the nurse obtains which includes vomiting and an elevated serum potassium level.