Today’s healthcare industry is driven by data, making both subjective nursing data and objective nursing data critical. Modern nurses should understand the difference between subjective versus objective nursing to provide patients with the personalized, evidence-based care they require.
Defining Subjective and Objective Nursing Data
The type of data that is collected and recorded for any clinical case is key to understanding the care that the patient will receive. Nurses must be able to identify and collect subjective nursing data as well as objective nursing data in order to develop a well-rounded picture of a patient’s needs. Comprehensive nursing data is required to provide patients with personalized, holistic care.
Below are the basics of what to know about subjective versus objective nursing data:
Subjective Data
According to NursingProcess.org, subjective data is defined as information that the patient feels or experiences. For example, subjective data may include the patient’s perception of their care, their overall experiences while receiving care and their perspective of the facility. Nurses can begin collecting subjective data as soon as they start working with a patient, often gathering this information through conversations and patient self-reports.
Keep in mind that subjective data does not have to be proven, and it is considered valid because it offers insight into the feelings and experiences of the patient. Subjective data is critical to understanding the patient experience and improving overall patient satisfaction ratings.
Objective Data
Objective data, on the other hand, is fact-based data that is both measurable and observable. Objective data remains the same regardless of who is collecting the data. Sometimes, objective data may contradict the subjective data, but that does not necessarily discount the subjective data. Instead, the two types of data must be considered to gain a thorough picture of patients’ needs and overall experiences.
Typically, objective data is numerical and collected through diagnostic tests or physical examinations. Objective data is necessary to provide evidence-based care, as it proves the patient’s current health status.
The Role of Subjective Data in Nursing
Subjective data provides insight into the patient’s perspective, and it is essential to the holistic care experience. Nurses collect accurate and authentic subjective data in order to better understand the needs of the patient. At a time when it is crucial to be culturally aware, subjective data can allow nurses to tailor their care to meet individual patient needs.
While subjective data cannot be proven (and, in some cases, may directly contradict the objective data available), it is becoming increasingly important in today’s dynamic healthcare landscape.
Understanding the Patient’s Perspective
In a clinical setting, it can become easy to get wrapped up in the never-ending, day-to-day tasks. Most nurses today are working with larger caseloads than normal and trying to balance the clinical needs of their patients as well as their personal needs as nursing professionals.
By making an effort to collect subject data from both primary and secondary sources, nurses can begin to better understand the perspectives of their patients and ultimately provide them with improved outcomes. Subjective data provides valuable insight into the feelings, concerns, experiences and perceptions of the patient, and it can help nurses better understand what the patient needs during their stay. Additionally, subjective nursing data allows nurses to become more empathetic as they work to care for numerous patients each day.
Identifying Patient Needs and Preferences
For medical professionals and nurses, it can seem straightforward to look at clinical care in a direct and objective way. On the surface, it may appear that specific symptoms should be treated in a specific way, relying on similar tools and approaches. However, in reality, each patient has individual needs and preferences, which should be considered when creating an evidence-based care plan. Subjective data can provide insight into the patient’s preferences and beliefs, ultimately allowing nurses to provide culturally sensitive care.
Building Trust and Rapport
To provide patients with the best possible outcomes, nurses need to establish a sense of trust and rapport with each individual patient. By making an effort to collect subjective nursing data—and having open-ended conversations in which the needs of the patient are heard—nurses can foster that sense of trust within each patient with whom they engage. Active listening is key during the subjective data collection process and can help nurses create a therapeutic relationship with their patients that promotes healing and well-being.
The Role of Objective Data in Nursing
While subjective data can provide in-depth insight into the patient perspective, objective nursing data can provide concrete evidence of the patient’s overall health status. Objective data is numerical and cannot be refuted; regardless of who is collecting data, it should remain consistent. This data is relied on heavily to guide clinical decision-making, and it can provide nurses with more insight into the signs versus symptoms of a condition.
Assessing and Monitoring Patient Condition
Objective patient data is typically collected during the assessment phase, when the nurse is monitoring symptoms and trying to understand the patient’s perspective as the physician is formulating the patient care plan. Objective data typically consists of:
- Patient vital signs
- Lab results
- Physical examination findings
- Additional diagnostics
Nurses are responsible for collecting this type of data throughout the patient’s stay, as it allows them to accurately assess and monitor their health status. Objective data can provide clinical insight into any potential problems or issues the patient may be experiencing, and it can allow providers to see the impact of the patient’s care over time.
When weighed against the subjective data that has been collected, objective data can provide a comprehensive overview of the patient’s current health condition.
Guiding Clinical Decision Making
At the end of the day, it is objective data that makes it possible for providers to offer evidence-based care for all patients. Objective data provides a scientific basis for any treatment plan created so that patients receive the personalized care needed for their specific symptoms and conditions. In addition, objective data allows nurses to evaluate the effectiveness of nursing interventions that are taking place, ensuring all patients are receiving the most impactful care.
In the clinical setting, nurses and physicians are required to make quick decisions that prioritize their patients’ health and well-being. Without objective data, they may not be able to make informed and accurate decisions for their patients. As technology continues to advance, it is becoming easier for nurses to collect precise objective nursing data on a regular basis.
Ensuring Patient Safety
Vital signs and other objective nursing data can provide nurses with immediate insight into the health status of the patient, allowing them to act quickly and prioritize patient safety. Objective data is not only used to identify potential risks and complications, but it can also be the first sign of an emergency—thereby allowing nurses to intervene properly and prevent further adverse reactions.
When collecting objective data to monitor the safety and well-being of each patient, nurses should prioritize charting and recording the data. Keeping accurate records allows nurses, physicians and other members of the care team to collaborate effectively and provide patients with optimal care.
Combining Subjective and Objective Data for Holistic Care
On their own, subjective nursing data and objective nursing data only paint one part of the picture. Nurses must be able to merge the power of subjective data and the patient perspective with the undeniable, numerical objective data that offers insight into the patient’s health condition. By combining both types of data, nurses can create a comprehensive understanding of both the patient’s health and their personal needs. Collecting data in a way that is accurate and relevant is key to providing culturally sensitive care in nursing.
The Importance of a Holistic Approach
In an age when the patient perspective is valued more than ever before, holistic methods of nursing has become essential. According to the American Holistic Nurses Association, this comprehensive approach prioritizes not only the medical needs of patients but also their emotional, spiritual and physical needs. To be truly effective, nurses will value the subjective experiences of the patient while prioritizing the objective clinical data. This allows them to provide patients with precise, valuable and respectful care.
Case Studies Illustrating the Interplay of Subjective and Objective Data
Given that it is crucial to be sensitive to cultural needs and preferences, subjective and objective data must be collected from every patient. In most scenarios, nurses must quickly observe subjective data and collect objective data to develop an accurate diagnosis and create an informed treatment plan.
For instance, a patient who presents with complaints of intense pain in their arm and asks not to be touched (subjective) may need to have a vital inspection and an X-ray (objective) in order to offer them well-rounded care and make them more comfortable quickly. Another patient might complain of chronic anxiety or stress and then exhibit high blood pressure or heart rate.
Uncover the Nursing Process at Nevada State University
The Nevada State University School of Nursing offers an RN to BSN online program that allows students to build upon their existing nursing foundation and accelerate their career paths. Our skills-based curriculum highlights the importance of both subjective nursing data and objective nursing data, helping you develop an advanced understanding of the modern healthcare landscape through competent, compassionate and culturally aware nursing. Request more information about our online nursing degree programs today