Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

Which of the following can be reported as subjective information?

1. Vital signs

2. Bleeding

3. Edema

4. Headache

The correct answer is: Headache

Subjective information refers to data that is based on an individual's personal experiences, feelings, and perceptions rather than on observable or measurable signs. A headache is a classic example of subjective information because it is a symptom that can only be described by the person experiencing it. No one else can see or verify the headache; it is entirely reliant on the patient's report of their own sensations. In contrast, vital signs, bleeding, and edema are considered objective information. Vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate are quantifiable and can be measured accurately with instruments. Bleeding is an observable phenomenon that can be identified visually or through laboratory results, and edema—swelling due to fluid retention—can also be assessed through physical examination. These pieces of information do not rely on the patient's perceptions, making them objective data rather than subjective.