Which term refers to data that is based on interpretation rather than direct observation?

• A. Objective Data
• B. Subjective Data
• C. Quantitative Data
• D. Verifiable Data

Answer: (B)

The concept here is data that comes from what the patient reports about their own experience, rather than something the clinician observes directly. Data that reflect the patient’s interpretation or description—like pain level, dizziness, or nausea—are subjective. They rely on the patient’s personal perception and can vary from person to person, which is why they’re categorized as subjective data. In contrast, objective data are things the observer can see or measure directly, such as a fever reading, blood pressure, wound size, or pulse rate. Quantitative data are a subset of objective data that are numerical, while verifiable data are data that can be checked or confirmed, but the term in question specifically describes interpretation-based information from the patient. So the best fit for data based on interpretation rather than direct observation is subjective data.