Kaplan Foundation B Complete Practice Test 2026

Subjective data is information reported by the patient about their own experiences, symptoms, feelings, and perceptions. This is what the patient tells you directly—things you can’t measure with a tool, like pain level, nausea, dizziness, or how their symptoms affect daily function. It’s essential because it reflects the patient’s personal experience and guides initial assessment and care planning.

In contrast, the data you can observe or obtain without the patient’s own words—such as what the nurse observes, laboratory results, or vital signs—are objective data. They provide measurable, verifiable information that supports and clarifies the subjective reports.