Which term describes observable and measurable data that can be seen, heard, or felt by someone other than the person experiencing them?

• A. Objective data
• B. Subjective data
• C. Information
• D. Data set

Answer: (A)

Observable and measurable data that can be seen, heard, or felt by someone other than the person experiencing them are objective data. This means findings documented during a physical exam or readings from instruments—like a fever, blood pressure, pulse, lung sounds, or observable rash—that another clinician can verify. Objective data contrast with subjective data, which are symptoms reported by the patient (pain level, dizziness, nausea) and can’t be directly observed by others. Information is a broader term, and a data set is simply a collection of data points, not specifically describing the nature of the data. So the best term for observable and measurable data is objective data.