Which term describes information that a person cannot directly observe but is reported by someone else?

• A. Objective
• B. Verifiable
• C. Measurable
• D. Subjective

Answer: (D)

Subjective information is what a person cannot observe directly and must report about their own feelings, sensations, or perceptions. In healthcare, this includes statements like “I have a headache,” “I feel dizzy,” or “I’m anxious,” which come from the patient or another helper and aren’t visible to the caregiver on their own. This contrasts with objective data, which are facts you can observe or measure directly—things like a fever measured with a thermometer, a rash you can see, or blood pressure readings. Measurable data refer to what can be counted or quantified, while verifiable data are those that can be confirmed by another source or test. In practice, subjective information is essential for understanding what the patient is experiencing, even though it isn’t directly observable.