Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Subjective vs Objective Claim


Subjective vs Objective


A subjective claim is not measurable.  It pertains to an individual’s thoughts, beliefs or feelings[1] (Epstein 20). 

In the hospital, I take care of patients.  I routinely ask them what their pain level is on a scale of one to ten, with ten being the largest amount of pain.  Unfortunately, pain tolerance is very individual. For example, in childbirth, I can say I had pain that was 10/10.  A patient with a ruptured appendix can also have pain that is 10/10.  In both situations the person may be in a fetal position.

Some people have a very high tolerance for pain while others don’t.  Their body language and facial gestures are also worth noting.  Two patients with the same amount of abdominal pain, may request two different medications.  One will ask for Tylenol, an over-the-counter medication, and the other will ask for Vicodin, a narcotic.  Pain is subjective. 


An objective claim is based on facts.

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix.  The appendix is an organ that is located on the right side of the abdomen.  The signs or symptoms someone may display include:  increased abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. 



[1] Alex Raffi, Critical Thinking (U.S., Thomson Wadsworth, 2006) 20. 

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