If a patient reports a bruise on their left breast, how is this classified?

When a patient reports a bruise on their left breast, that symptom is classified as objective. This classification is based on the distinction between subjective symptoms reported by the patient and objective findings that can be observed or measured by a healthcare provider.

Objective findings are those that healthcare professionals can assess during a clinical examination, which may include observable signs such as bruises, swelling, or other physical conditions. The presence of a bruise is something that can be documented visually or through palpation by the clinician, making it an observable indicator of a potential issue, thus placing it firmly in the objective category.

While subjective symptoms reflect the patient's personal experiences and feelings, such as pain or tenderness that can’t be directly measured, they do not include physical signs that can be visibly recognized. This distinction is essential in clinical practice, as the combination of subjective and objective data helps guide diagnosis and treatment planning.