Every nurse collects two kinds of data during an assessment — what the patient says and what he/she observes. Understanding the difference between subjective vs objective nursing data goes far beyond charting — it’s how you turn careful observation and patient voices into safe, evidence-based care.
Why does this distinction matter so much? Because blending them incorrectly can lead to confusion, miscommunication, and even treatment errors. Knowing when to quote a patient’s words versus when to record measurable facts ensures your notes are clear, credible, and clinically useful.
In this guide, you’ll find subjective vs objective nursing examples that make this distinction second nature. You’ll see real-world patient scenarios, comparison tables, and nursing documentation examples showing how to record both types of data confidently — whether you’re writing a SOAP note or completing an assessment.
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What Is Subjective vs Objective Data in Nursing?
Nursing assessments rely on two key information types — subjective data and objective data — that together tell the patient’s full story. Understanding how they differ helps you document accurately and think like a clinician.
Understanding Subjective Data
Subjective data comes directly from the patient’s own words — what they feel, think, or experience. It’s personal, emotional, and descriptive. You can’t measure it with a device; you can only record it as reported.
Primary sources: the patient’s statements.
Secondary sources: caregivers, family members, or other professionals when the patient can’t self-report.
Examples of Subjective Data
- “I have a pounding headache.”
- “My chest feels tight.”
Key Point
Always record subjective statements in quotation marks to preserve the patient’s voice.
Think of it this way: Subjective = what the patient says.
Understanding Objective Data
Objective data, in contrast, are facts you can measure, observe, or verify. They form the clinical evidence that supports what the patient reports.
Sources include:
- What you see (skin color, posture, wounds).
- What you hear (crackles, murmurs, crying).
- What you measure (vitals, height, lab results).
- What diagnostic tests confirm (imaging, cultures).
Examples of Objective Data
- Temperature 101.4°F
- BP 140/90 mmHg
- Oxygen saturation 89%
Objective findings turn a patient’s story into data you can analyze and act on.
Key Point
Objective data reflects what the nurse can see, hear, touch, or measure — not what the patient feels.
In short: Objective = the nurse’s evidence.
Comparison Table — Subjective vs Objective Nursing Data
Subjective data reflects the patient’s voice — what they tell you about their pain, feelings, or concerns.
Objective data shows your proof — the measurable facts you gather through observation and assessment.
| Feature | Subjective Data | Objective Data | Example/Notes |
| Definition | Information the patient says about symptoms, emotions, or sensations. | Information the nurse observes, measures, or confirms through testing. | “I feel dizzy” vs. BP 92/60 and pale skin. |
| Source of Data | Patient (primary) or caregiver/family (secondary). | Nurse’s senses, assessment tools, and diagnostic reports. | Family reports “child won’t eat” → nurse observes weight loss. |
| Common Signs/Symptoms | Pain, fatigue, nausea, anxiety, shortness of breath, dizziness. | Abnormal vitals, wounds, fever, edema, or abnormal labs. | “I have chest pain” + ECG shows irregular rhythm. |
| Method of Collection | Verbal reports, interviews, written statements. | Physical exam, observation, diagnostic testing. | Patient reports, “I’m cold.” Nurse records temperature 99°F. |
| Documentation Style | Record exact quotes to capture the patient’s own words. | Write measurable, factual statements — avoid opinions. | S: “Pain is unbearable.” / O: HR 102, BP 150/98. |
| Example in SOAP Note | S: “I feel dizzy when I stand.” | O: BP 88/60, unsteady gait, pale skin. | Combine both for a complete assessment. |
10 Subjective vs Objective Nursing Examples
Seeing examples in action helps you remember the difference faster. Each case below shows how nurses combine subjective data (what the patient says) and objective data (what the nurse observes or measures) to form a complete note.
Example #1 — Postoperative Pain
| Patient Scenario | Mr. Lane, age 42, had an appendectomy 12 hours ago. He tells the nurse, “It hurts when I move.” He rates the pain 8/10 and describes it as “burning and pulling.” The nurse notes slight redness at the incision and a temperature of 100.2°F. |
| What is the Subjective Data: | Mr. Lane’s statements about pain, his 8/10 rating, and how he describes it (“burning”) are subjective. |
| What is the Objective Data: | The redness at the incision and temperature of 100.2°F are measurable findings — objective data. |
| What Makes this Data Subjective: | Only Mr. Lane can describe how the pain feels; it comes from his perception. |
| What Makes this Data Objective: | The nurse can see and measure the redness and temperature, making them objective findings. |
Example #2 — Respiratory Distress
| Patient Scenario | Ms. Alvarez comes to the clinic saying, “I can’t catch my breath, and my chest feels tight.” She appears pale and anxious. The nurse records O₂ saturation at 87%, RR 28, and audible wheezing. |
| What is the Subjective Data: | Shortness of breath and chest tightness are subjective because the patient reports them. |
| What is the Objective Data: | RR 28, O₂ 87%, and wheezing are objective findings from observation and assessment. |
| What Makes this Data Subjective: | Breathing difficulty is a personal sensation — only the patient can describe it. |
| What Makes this Data Objective: | The nurse’s measurable results confirm the physical signs of distress. |
Example #3 — Skin/Wound Infection
| Patient Scenario | Mrs. Tyler visits the wound clinic complaining that her ankle wound “smells bad and hurts more.” The nurse observes yellow drainage, mild swelling, and a temperature of 101°F. |
| What is the Subjective Data: | Pain intensity and odor description are subjective because they come from the patient. |
| What is the Objective Data: | Yellow drainage, swelling, and fever are observable and measurable — objective data. |
| What Makes this Data Subjective: | Only the patient can describe the pain or odor experience. |
| What Makes this Data Objective: | Visible wound changes and temperature readings provide clinical evidence. |
Example #4 — Cardiovascular Discomfort
| Patient Scenario | Mr. Patel, 55, tells the nurse, “It feels like someone is pressing on my chest.” He looks pale and sweaty. Vitals show BP 162/98, HR 108, and ECG indicates irregular rhythm. |
| What is the Subjective Data: | Chest pressure and his description (“pressing”) are subjective. |
| What is the Objective Data: | BP, HR, ECG rhythm, and sweating are objective findings. |
| What Makes this Data Subjective: | The sensation of chest pressure is self-reported and not measurable. |
| What Makes this Data Objective: | Vital signs and ECG results are quantifiable and observed by the nurse. |
Example #5 — Pediatric Fever and Rash
| Patient Scenario | A mother brings in her two-year-old, saying, “She’s been hot, cranky, and won’t drink anything.” The nurse records T 102.1°F and notes a blotchy rash on the child’s arms and torso. |
| What is the Subjective Data: | The caregiver’s report of fever, irritability, and poor appetite are secondary subjective data. |
| What is the Objective Data: | Temperature 102.1°F and visible rash are objective findings. |
| What Makes this Data Subjective: | The nurse records what the caregiver reports, not what they directly observed. |
| What Makes this Data Objective: | Temperature and rash are measurable, confirming the caregiver’s report. |
Example #6 — Geriatric Confusion
| Patient Scenario | Mr. Howard, 82, is brought in by his daughter, who says, “Dad’s been confused since yesterday and keeps forgetting where he is.” The nurse notes the patient is disoriented to time and place, BP 132/80, and T 100°F. |
| What is the Subjective Data: | The daughter’s report of confusion and forgetfulness are secondary subjective data. |
| What is the Objective Data: | Disorientation, mild fever, and normal BP are objective findings. |
| What Makes this Data Subjective: | The daughter’s account is based on observation, not direct measurement. |
| What Makes this Data Objective: | The nurse’s assessment and vital signs confirm measurable signs of confusion. |
Example #7 — Diabetic Foot Ulcer
| Patient Scenario | Ms. Reynolds, 60, with diabetes, says, “My foot hurts and smells bad.” She adds the pain started two weeks ago. The nurse observes an ulcer on the left foot with yellow drainage, swelling, and redness. |
| What is the Subjective Data: | Pain and odor are subjective — they come from the patient’s perception. |
| What is the Objective Data: | The wound’s drainage, swelling, and redness are objective data. |
| What Makes this Data Subjective: | Pain and odor can’t be measured but help describe the problem. |
| What Makes this Data Objective: | The nurse can observe and measure the wound, confirming the complaint. |
Example #8 — Anxiety Episode
| Patient Scenario | Ms. Brooks, 29, visits urgent care saying, “I feel like I can’t breathe and my heart is racing.” She appears restless and tearful. The nurse records HR 118, RR 24, BP 140/88, and O₂ 98%. |
| What is the Subjective Data: | The patient’s report of shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat are subjective. |
| What is the Objective Data: | Elevated HR, BP, and visible restlessness are objective findings. |
| What Makes this Data Subjective: | Her symptoms are personal sensations — not directly measurable. |
| What Makes this Data Objective: | Vital signs and observed behavior confirm a physiological response to anxiety. |
Example #9 — Dehydration After Vomiting
| Patient Scenario | Mr. James, 38, reports vomiting for two days, saying, “I can’t keep anything down.” The nurse observes dry lips, poor skin turgor, and urine output under 30 mL/hour. |
| What is the Subjective Data: | Reports of vomiting and inability to eat or drink are subjective. |
| What is the Objective Data: | Dry lips, low urine output, and decreased skin turgor are objective data. |
| What Makes this Data Subjective: | The nurse relies on the patient’s self-report of vomiting. |
| What Makes this Data Objective: | Observable dehydration signs provide clinical evidence. |
Example #10 — Depression and Low Mood
| Patient Scenario | Ms. Carter, 34, tells her nurse practitioner, “I’m tired all the time, and nothing makes me happy anymore.” She reports poor sleep and appetite. The nurse observes flat affect, little eye contact, and PHQ-9 score of 15. |
| What is the Subjective Data: | Feelings of fatigue, sadness, and insomnia are subjective. |
| What is the Objective Data: | Flat affect, limited eye contact, and PHQ-9 score are objective. |
| What Makes this Data Subjective: | Emotional and behavioral experiences come directly from the patient. |
| What Makes this Data Objective: | Measurable screening results and visible behavior confirm depression indicators. |
Where Subjective and Objective Data Appear in Documentation
Every nurse documents both subjective and objective information, but knowing where they appear in your notes makes the difference between good and excellent documentation.
Let’s look at how both data types fit into the two most common formats — SOAP and ADPIE.
Within the SOAP Note Format
SOAP is one of the most widely used formats in nursing documentation. It stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan — and helps organize information clearly for other healthcare providers.
- S = Subjective: The patient’s own words, descriptions, or concerns.
- Example: “I feel dizzy and weak.”
- Example: “I feel dizzy and weak.”
- O = Objective: Measurable findings and observable facts.
- Example: BP 88/60, skin clammy, unsteady gait.
- Example: BP 88/60, skin clammy, unsteady gait.
Together, they form a snapshot of both the patient’s experience and the evidence.
Here’s how they might appear together in your note:
S: “I feel dizzy and weak.”
O: BP 88/60, skin clammy, unsteady gait.
A clear SOAP note like this helps nurses and providers interpret the patient’s condition quickly — improving communication, continuity, and safety.
Within the ADPIE Process
The ADPIE nursing process — Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation — also depends on collecting both subjective and objective data.
Here’s how they fit in:
- Assessment: Gather both S and O data to understand the patient’s condition.
- Diagnosis: Combine S and O data to identify nursing problems accurately.
- Example:
- Subjective: “I can’t catch my breath.”
- Objective: RR 28, O₂ 88%.
- Nursing Diagnosis: Impaired Gas Exchange.
- Subjective: “I can’t catch my breath.”
This combination makes your diagnosis valid and defensible because it connects how the patient feels with what you can measure.
How to Document Subjective and Objective Data Correctly
Good documentation goes beyond just writing down facts — it shows that you’re paying attention, thinking critically, and communicating clearly. Here’s how to record subjective and objective data so it’s both accurate and professional.
Documentation Best Practices
- Quote patient statements exactly.
- Example: Write “My stomach feels like it’s twisting” instead of patient reports stomach pain.
- Example: Write “My stomach feels like it’s twisting” instead of patient reports stomach pain.
- Be specific and measurable.
- Use numbers, scales, and times (e.g., pain 7/10 lasting 30 minutes).
- Use numbers, scales, and times (e.g., pain 7/10 lasting 30 minutes).
- Avoid assumptions or opinions.
- ❌ “Patient looks tired.”
- ✅ “Patient’s eyes half-closed, slow to respond to questions.”
- ❌ “Patient looks tired.”
- Include time and context.
- Example: “Pain began after ambulation at 0900.”
- Example: “Pain began after ambulation at 0900.”
- Stay objective in tone.
- Keep your writing factual and professional, not emotional or judgmental.
- Keep your writing factual and professional, not emotional or judgmental.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced nurses sometimes slip when charting. Here are frequent pitfalls to watch for:
- Mixing subjective and objective data in one line.
- ❌ “Patient anxious, HR 120.”
- ✅ “S: ‘I feel nervous.’ / O: HR 120.”
- ❌ “Patient anxious, HR 120.”
- Using vague or judgmental wording.
- ❌ “Patient uncooperative.”
- ✅ “Patient refused to take medication, stating, ‘I don’t need it.’”
- ❌ “Patient uncooperative.”
- Ignoring secondary sources.
- Family or caregivers often provide valuable secondary subjective data, especially when patients can’t communicate.
- Family or caregivers often provide valuable secondary subjective data, especially when patients can’t communicate.
These small mistakes can make your notes unclear or legally weak — so it’s worth slowing down to separate what’s heard from what’s observed.
Bringing Subjective and Objective Data Together
Subjective and objective data aren’t opposites — they’re partners in building a full picture of the patient’s condition. One expresses how the patient feels; the other confirms what you can measure.
The subjective side helps you understand a patient’s emotions, discomfort, and experience. The objective side validates those observations with clinical evidence. Together, they create nursing notes that are not only accurate but also compassionate and complete.
During every assessment, try this quick self-check:
What am I hearing? → Subjective data.
What am I seeing or measuring? → Objective data.
This mental habit sharpens your critical thinking and keeps your documentation professional, defensible, and aligned with best practice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is pain subjective or objective in nursing?
Pain is subjective data because it’s based on what the patient reports. Even though nurses use scales (like 1–10) to document it, the experience itself can only be described by the patient.
2. Can family or caregivers provide subjective data?
Yes. When patients can’t communicate, caregivers and family members become secondary sources of subjective data — for example, “He hasn’t eaten all day” or “She seems confused.” Nurses should note these quotes clearly and identify the source.
3. What are examples of objective data in nursing?
Objective data includes anything measurable or observable, such as:
- Vital signs (BP, HR, RR, T)
- Physical findings (wounds, rashes, pallor)
- Lab or diagnostic test results
- Weight, urine output, or O₂ levels
4. Why is separating subjective and objective data important?
Mixing them can lead to inaccurate assessments and poor communication among healthcare providers. Clear separation ensures your charting reflects both the patient’s perspective and your professional observations — improving care quality and safety.
5. How can I improve my subjective and objective documentation skills?
- Practice during every patient interaction — mentally label what’s said vs. what’s seen.
- Review sample nursing documentation examples or SOAP notes for structure.
- Use precise, factual language.
- Always verify subjective complaints with objective findings when possible.
6. Are emotions or mood considered subjective or objective?
Emotions like anxiety, fear, or sadness are subjective because they come from the patient’s expression or report. However, behaviors you observe (crying, pacing, avoiding eye contact) become objective evidence supporting those feelings.
7. What happens if subjective or objective data is missing in documentation?
Incomplete documentation can lead to miscommunication or poor patient outcomes. Missing subjective data may hide critical symptoms, while missing objective data weakens your clinical justification for care decisions. Both must appear in every note.
8. How do subjective and objective data support nursing diagnoses?
Subjective data helps identify the patient’s perceived problem, while objective data provides evidence of that problem.
For example:
- Subjective: “I feel short of breath.”
- Objective: O₂ 86%, RR 28.
→ Diagnosis: Impaired Gas Exchange.
