Which statement is subjective?

• A. Lab results show elevated cholesterol
• B. The patient reports pain 7/10
• C. The patient describes their sleep quality as poor
• D. The clinician notes no abnormalities

Answer: (C)

Subjective versus objective information in clinical notes. Subjective data come from the patient’s own experience and descriptions, while objective data come from measurements, tests, or clinician observations.

The statement about sleep quality being described as poor is subjective because it relies entirely on the patient's personal perception and words, not on a measured or observed quantity. Sleep quality is a lived experience that can vary greatly between individuals and isn’t something a clinician can verify without asking the patient how they feel. In contrast, the other options involve data that can be measured or observed independently of the patient’s personal report: lab results are numerical measurements, and clinician notes about abnormalities are based on examination or tests. The pain rating is also patient-reported, but it’s presented as a specific numeric score, whereas “sleep quality is poor” is a qualitative, descriptive statement about the patient’s condition.