Which type of data is considered objective?

Objective data refers to information that can be measured, observed, or verified, and does not depend on personal feelings or interpretations. Observations made by a caregiver are considered objective because they are based on fact, such as vital signs, physical signs of a condition, and measurable outcomes. This type of data can be consistently confirmed by other healthcare professionals, ensuring accuracy and reliability in the patient care process.

In contrast, feelings reported by a patient, speculations by family members, and patient preferences all reflect subjective experiences or opinions, which can vary from person to person and are based on individual perception rather than measurable evidence. Thus, these options do not qualify as objective data.