Question

Derek, a seven-year-old, is being admitted to the pediatric unit for a hernia repair surgery. You are collecting data by interviewing Derek and his parents.      

1. Write two paragraphs describing the difference between subjective and objective data.

a.      Give an example of objective data you might gather from Derek (use your imagination).

b.      Give an example of subjective data that you might gather from Derek (use your imagination).

c.       Discuss obtaining a client history and define chief complaint for this family. Give examples.

Answer 1

1.Subjective data is the data that is collected or obtained through personal interactions, such as talking, sharing, explaining, etc.It is collected to make an assumption about what the fact might be, what event might have occurred, what calculations may have to be done, etc.Subjective data can also be collected by means of judgment, suspicion, or rumors.This data varies from one person to another, with every situation, every minute.It cannot be declared as the truth, as it evolves from so many varied sources with different inputs.Subjective language usually begins with, ‘I think’, ‘I need’, ‘I feel’, etc.

Objective data is the data that is collected or obtained via established or verifiable facts and sources.It is collected to confirm your suspicions and assumptions – or merely to gather dependable information. It is something that can be felt, touched, smelled, seen, heard, and tasted.Objective data will be the same from multiple sources, and can be counted and described accurately and confirmed.This data does not vary from one person to another or with every situation.It can be declared as nearly true data because it remains same and consistent even if many sources are involved.Objective language usually begins with ‘I said’, ‘I observed’, ‘I measured’, etc.

a.objective data:There is a bulge or lump in the affected area.

b.Subjective data:Patient verbalised that he has severe pain on the affected area

c.The ichild with a hernia generally presents with an obvious bulge at the internal or external ring or within the affected area.The parents typically provide the history of a visible swelling or bulge, commonly intermittent, in the inguinoscrotal region in boys .If the patient or the family provides a history of a painful bulge in the inguinal region, one must suspect the presence of an incarcerated inguinal hernia. Patients with an incarcerated hernia generally present with a tender firm mass in the inguinal canal or scrotum.. The skin overlying the bulge may be edematous, erythematous, and discolored.