Types of Data
NCM 103 Fundamentals in Nursing
Anima, Bautista, Cobrador, Lopez, Matimatico, Nacnac, Requiro, Rios
Submitted to: Ma. Ellen Cortes-Teston
Professionals use both subjective
and objective data as crucial information
sources to evaluate short- and long-term
progress, enhance systems, and inform
organizational decisions. Both subjective
and objective data are necessary in
nursing to assess the success and
well-being of patients. Knowing the
distinctions between subjective and
objective data will help you become a
better nurse, if you're not one already.
TYPES OF DATA
What is Subjective Data?
Anecdotal information derived from
opinions, perceptions, or experiences is
referred to as subjective data. In the
medical field, subjective data examples
include a patient's level of pain and
symptom descriptions. You can gather
subjective data as a nurse by asking
patients about their experiences and how
they feel about themselves.
What is Objective data?
Unaffected by the emotions or
viewpoints of the person providing or
receiving the information, objective data is
factual information that experts collect
through measurement or observation that
is true. In research nursing, objective data
is frequently used. In the nursing field,
objective data examples include heart rate
and blood pressure. Through formal
assessments, diagnostic procedures, or
observation, nurses obtain objective data.
SUBJECTIVE VS. OBJECTIVE DATA IN NURSING
DIFFERENCES
When dealing with patients, nurses
obtain data from many sources in order to
identify the cause of health problems and
create a plan of care. A good patient
diagnosis and care plan can come from
both subjective and objective data.
Professionals rely on both
subjective and objective data to evaluate
progress, improve systems, and make
informed decisions. In nursing, these data
types are vital for assessing patient
well-being. Subjective data encompasses
anecdotal information based on opinions
and experiences, such as pain levels and
symptoms, gathered through patient
inquiry. Objective data, on the other hand,
is factual and unaffected by personal
viewpoints, including measurements like
heart rate and blood pressure, obtained
through formal assessments or
observation.
Differences between subjective
and objective data in nursing lie in their
nature—subjective data is qualitative and
varies among individuals, while objective
data is quantitative and remains
consistent across contexts.
Subjective data, also known as
health history, is information provided by
the patient about their symptoms, medical
history, and other relevant factors. This
information is typically obtained through
interviews and questionnaires and can
provide valuable insights into the patient's
health status. On the other hand, objective
data includes physical examination
findings and diagnostic test results, which
are obtained through direct observation,
measurement, and laboratory analysis.
Let's discuss each of these components in
more detail:
SUBJECTIVE DATA (HEALTH HISTORY)
smoking, alcohol consumption), and social
support network.
Review of systems:
A systematic inquiry about the patient's
overall health, covering various body
systems such as cardiovascular,
respiratory, gastrointestinal, and
musculoskeletal.

Subjective data includes information

such as the patient's chief complaint,
OBJECTIVE DATA (PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND
present illness, past medical history, family DIAGNOSTIC TESTS)
history, social history, and review of
systems.
Physical Examination:
Chief Complaint:
This is the primary reason the
This involves the systematic
patient is seeking medical attention. It may
assessment of the patient's body through
be a symptom, such as chest pain or
inspection, palpation, percussion, and
shortness of breath, or a concern, such as
auscultation. It aims to gather objective
fatigue or weight loss.
data about the patient's physical condition,
including vital signs (e.g., temperature,
Present Illness:
blood pressure, heart rate), general
This refers to the current
appearance, skin condition, head and
symptoms the patient is experiencing,
neck examination, cardiovascular
including their onset, duration, severity,
examination, respiratory examination,
aggravating and alleviating factors, and
abdominal examination, and neurological
any associated symptoms.
examination.

Past Medical History:

Diagnostic Tests:
This includes any significant
medical conditions the patient has been
These are medical tests performed
diagnosed with in the past, as well as
to aid in the diagnosis or monitoring of a
surgeries, hospitalizations, and
patient's condition. They may include
medications.
laboratory tests (e.g., blood tests, urine
tests, imaging studies (e.g., X-rays, CT
Family History:
scans, MRI scans), electrocardiography
Information about the patient's
(ECG or EKG), echocardiography,
family members and any hereditary
pulmonary function.
conditions or diseases that may run in the
family.

Social History:
This includes details about the
patient's lifestyle, such as their
occupation, living situation, habits (e.g.,
 COLLECTING DATA
Data collection involves gathering
information about a client's health status,
ensuring it is systematic and continuous.
This includes nursing health history,
physical assessment, primary care
provider's history, laboratory results, and
other health personnel contributions.
Historical data includes past experiences,
while current data relates to present
circumstances. Active participation from
both clients and nurses is crucial for
accurate data collection.
COMPONENTS OF A NURSING HEALTH HISTORY
BIOGRAPHIC DATA
➔ Client's name, address, age, sex,
marital status, occupation, religious
preference, healthcare financing,
and usual source of medical care
CHIEF COMPLAINT OR REASON FOR
VISIT
➔ The chief complaint or reason for
visiting a hospital or clinic should
include the client's history of
present illness, past illnesses,
vaccinations, allergies, accidents
and injuries, hospitalization for
serious illnesses, and current
medications. The client should
provide details about the onset of
symptoms, frequency, location,
character of the complaint, activity
involved, symptoms, and factors
that aggravate or alleviate the
problem. This information helps in
understanding the client's condition
and potential treatment options.
FAMILY HISTORY OF ILLNESS
➔ Risk factors for diseases like heart
disease, cancer, diabetes,
hypertension, obesity, allergies,
arthritis, tuberculosis, bleeding,
alcoholism, and mental health
disorders should be determined by
examining the ages of siblings,
parents, and
LIFESTYLE:
➔ Lifestyle includes personal habits,
diet, sleep patterns, daily activities,
and instrumental activities. It
includes substance use, diet, sleep
patterns, daily activities, and
recreational activities. It also
includes difficulties in basic
activities like eating, grooming,
dressing, and locomotion, as well
as difficulties in food preparation,
shopping, transportation, and
housekeeping.
SOCIAL DATA:
➔ The client's social data includes
family relationships, ethnic
affiliation, educational history,
occupational history, economic
status, and home and
neighborhood conditions. It
includes the client's support
system, cultural practices,
educational history, occupational
history, and financial status. It also
includes information on past
illnesses, job changes, and
satisfaction with work. The client's
financial status includes medical
and hospitalization coverage and
any financial concerns. The client's
home and neighborhood conditions
should also be considered to
manage their physical disability
and daily living activities.
PSYCHOLOGIC DATA
➔ Psychological data includes client's
major stressors, coping patterns,
communication style, and
nonverbal cues, as well as
interactions with support persons
and congruence of behavior and
expression.

PATTERN OF HEALTHCARE
➔ The client's healthcare resources,
including primary care providers,
specialists, dentists, folk
practitioners, health clinics, and
health centers, are assessed for
their perceived quality and
accessibility.

REFERENCE

Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and

History Taking (Bickley & Szilagyi, 13th
edition)