During the ROS, which statement would be considered subjective data?

During the ROS, which statement would be considered subjective data?

• A. The patient reports no abdominal pain today
• B. The abdomen is soft and non-tender
• C. The patient reports onset of fever yesterday
• D. The labs show normal white count

Answer: (C)

Subjective data are the symptoms and experiences the patient reports, not what is observed or measured by the clinician. The statement about fever starting yesterday is a symptom the patient is describing, including when it began, which makes it subjective data. In contrast, describing the abdomen as soft and non-tender comes from the clinician’s physical examination (an objective finding), and the normal white count from a lab result is also objective data. The patient’s report of no abdominal pain today is also patient-reported, but the example highlighting fever onset emphasizes a symptom described by the patient, illustrating subjective ROS data.

Subjective data are the symptoms and experiences the patient reports, not what is observed or measured by the clinician. The statement about fever starting yesterday is a symptom the patient is describing, including when it began, which makes it subjective data. In contrast, describing the abdomen as soft and non-tender comes from the clinician’s physical examination (an objective finding), and the normal white count from a lab result is also objective data. The patient’s report of no abdominal pain today is also patient-reported, but the example highlighting fever onset emphasizes a symptom described by the patient, illustrating subjective ROS data.