Which is an example of an objective symptom?

• A. The patient reports dizziness
• B. Redness observed on the skin
• C. Nausea reported by patient
• D. Pain described as sharp

Answer: (B)

When collecting information about a patient, differentiate between what the patient feels and what can be observed. An objective symptom is something that a clinician or caregiver can see, measure, or verify without asking the patient to describe how they feel. Redness on the skin fits this because it is visible to anyone caring for the patient and can be documented as a sign.

In contrast, dizziness, nausea, and pain are all subjective experiences: they rely on the patient’s personal report. Dizziness and nausea are sensations the patient experiences, and pain is described by the patient in terms of intensity and quality. So the redness observed on the skin is the best example of an objective symptom because it’s observable by others, not just reported by the patient.