What distinguishes objective data from subjective data?

• A. Objective data can be observed or measured (temperature, BP); subjective data come from the resident's report (pain level, nausea).
• B. Objective data are based on opinions and mood.
• C. Subjective data can be measured with devices.
• D. Objective data require resident consent.

Answer: (C)

Objective data are information you can observe or measure about a resident, such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, wound appearance, and intake/output. These facts come from what you can see, feel with your hands, or obtain with a tool, and they can be verified by another person. Subjective data are what the resident reports about how they feel or what they’re experiencing, like pain level, nausea, or dizziness. These depend on the resident’s own description and cannot be measured directly without their report. The idea that objective data are based on opinions and mood is incorrect because that describes subjective data. The belief that subjective data can be measured with devices is wrong because measurement with devices yields objective data. The notion that objective data require resident consent is not part of how data types are distinguished.