Which of the following is an example of an objective observation?

• A. Statements of Pain Reported by Patient
• B. Patient's Feelings of Nausea
• C. Bruises, Swelling, and Blood Pressure
• D. Patient's Description of Their Symptoms

Answer: (C)

Understanding the difference between objective observations and subjective reports is key. Objective observations are things you can verify through observation or measurement—signs you can observe directly or quantify with tools. Bruises and swelling are visible signs, and blood pressure is a measurable value obtained with a device. These are data the clinician can document without relying on the patient’s description of how they feel. In contrast, statements like pain reported by the patient, feelings of nausea, or the patient’s description of their symptoms are subjective; they depend on the patient’s personal experience and what they report. So the example of an objective observation is bruises, swelling, and blood pressure because they are observable and measurable independently of the patient’s description.