PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND
HEALTH ASSESSMENT
9TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)CAROLYN JARVIS;
ANN L. ECKHARDT
TESTBANK
1) Reference
Chapter 1 — Evidence-Based Assessment: Subjective vs.
Objective Data
Stem
A nurse is completing an intake assessment for a client who
says, “I have had sharp pain in my right lower abdomen since
last night.” The nurse notes that the client is guarding the
area and grimacing during movement. Which statement
should the nurse document as subjective data?
,Options
A. The client is guarding the right lower abdomen.
B. The client grimaces when moving.
C. The client reports sharp right lower abdominal pain since
last night.
D. The client appears uncomfortable and restless.
Correct Answer
C
Rationale
Correct: Subjective data are what the client reports, feels, or
describes. Pain quality and onset are best captured in the
client’s own words because they cannot be directly measured
by the nurse.
A: Guarding is observed by the nurse, so it is objective data.
B: Grimacing is an observed sign, making it objective data.
D: “Appears uncomfortable and restless” is an observed
interpretation, so it is objective data rather than subjective
report.
Teaching Point
Subjective data come from the client’s report; objective data
come from what the nurse observes.
Citation
Jarvis, C., & Eckhardt, A. L. (2023). Physical Examination and
Health Assessment (9th ed.). Chapter 1: Evidence-Based
Assessment.
,2) Reference
Chapter 1 — Evidence-Based Assessment: Objective
Findings
Stem
During a wellness visit, the nurse records a temperature of
38.4°C (101.1°F), pulse 102 beats/min, and respirations
22/min. The client says, “I feel feverish and weak.” Which
finding is an example of objective data?
Options
A. “I feel feverish and weak.”
B. Temperature 38.4°C (101.1°F)
C. “I have not felt like myself today.”
D. “My body aches all over.”
Correct Answer
B
Rationale
Correct: Temperature is measurable and observable by the
nurse, so it is objective data. Objective findings are recorded
as signs rather than symptoms.
A: This is a client-reported symptom, which is subjective.
C: This is also a client report and therefore subjective.
D: Body aches are a symptom reported by the client, so this
is subjective data.
, Teaching Point
Objective data are measurable signs, not client-reported
symptoms.
Citation
Jarvis, C., & Eckhardt, A. L. (2023). Physical Examination and
Health Assessment (9th ed.). Chapter 1: Evidence-Based
Assessment.
3) Reference
Chapter 1 — Evidence-Based Assessment: Evidence-Based
Nursing Judgment
Stem
A new graduate nurse wants to know what best reflects
evidence-based assessment. The nurse is caring for a client
with a family history of colon cancer and wants to decide
what additional assessment data to collect. Which action
best reflects evidence-based practice?
Options
A. Ask only about the client’s current symptoms and skip
family history.
B. Use a structured family history tool to identify patterns of
risk.
C. Base the assessment only on the nurse’s previous
experience.
D. Wait until the client develops symptoms before collecting
more data.
HEALTH ASSESSMENT
9TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)CAROLYN JARVIS;
ANN L. ECKHARDT
TESTBANK
1) Reference
Chapter 1 — Evidence-Based Assessment: Subjective vs.
Objective Data
Stem
A nurse is completing an intake assessment for a client who
says, “I have had sharp pain in my right lower abdomen since
last night.” The nurse notes that the client is guarding the
area and grimacing during movement. Which statement
should the nurse document as subjective data?
,Options
A. The client is guarding the right lower abdomen.
B. The client grimaces when moving.
C. The client reports sharp right lower abdominal pain since
last night.
D. The client appears uncomfortable and restless.
Correct Answer
C
Rationale
Correct: Subjective data are what the client reports, feels, or
describes. Pain quality and onset are best captured in the
client’s own words because they cannot be directly measured
by the nurse.
A: Guarding is observed by the nurse, so it is objective data.
B: Grimacing is an observed sign, making it objective data.
D: “Appears uncomfortable and restless” is an observed
interpretation, so it is objective data rather than subjective
report.
Teaching Point
Subjective data come from the client’s report; objective data
come from what the nurse observes.
Citation
Jarvis, C., & Eckhardt, A. L. (2023). Physical Examination and
Health Assessment (9th ed.). Chapter 1: Evidence-Based
Assessment.
,2) Reference
Chapter 1 — Evidence-Based Assessment: Objective
Findings
Stem
During a wellness visit, the nurse records a temperature of
38.4°C (101.1°F), pulse 102 beats/min, and respirations
22/min. The client says, “I feel feverish and weak.” Which
finding is an example of objective data?
Options
A. “I feel feverish and weak.”
B. Temperature 38.4°C (101.1°F)
C. “I have not felt like myself today.”
D. “My body aches all over.”
Correct Answer
B
Rationale
Correct: Temperature is measurable and observable by the
nurse, so it is objective data. Objective findings are recorded
as signs rather than symptoms.
A: This is a client-reported symptom, which is subjective.
C: This is also a client report and therefore subjective.
D: Body aches are a symptom reported by the client, so this
is subjective data.
, Teaching Point
Objective data are measurable signs, not client-reported
symptoms.
Citation
Jarvis, C., & Eckhardt, A. L. (2023). Physical Examination and
Health Assessment (9th ed.). Chapter 1: Evidence-Based
Assessment.
3) Reference
Chapter 1 — Evidence-Based Assessment: Evidence-Based
Nursing Judgment
Stem
A new graduate nurse wants to know what best reflects
evidence-based assessment. The nurse is caring for a client
with a family history of colon cancer and wants to decide
what additional assessment data to collect. Which action
best reflects evidence-based practice?
Options
A. Ask only about the client’s current symptoms and skip
family history.
B. Use a structured family history tool to identify patterns of
risk.
C. Base the assessment only on the nurse’s previous
experience.
D. Wait until the client develops symptoms before collecting
more data.
