Which option best represents subjective data?

• A. Blood pressure
• B. Lab results
• C. Imaging findings
• D. Anxiety or pain

Answer: (D)

Subjective data are information the patient reports about how they feel, what they perceive, and symptoms they describe, which cannot be measured directly by a device. Anxiety or pain fits this, because it’s the patient expressing their internal experience and level of distress, often described with terms like "anxious," "dull ache," or a pain rating on a scale.

In contrast, blood pressure, lab results, and imaging findings are objective data—they are measured or observed with instruments and provide observable numbers or images.

So, anxiety or pain best represents subjective data, as it centers on the patient’s personal experience rather than something measured by a tool.