Which of the following sets of vital signs represents normal values for a healthy adult at rest?

Rationale:

A. Blood pressure is objective data because it is measurable, observable, and quantifiable. The nurse can obtain this information using a blood pressure cuff and verify it independently. Objective data are considered factual and can be used to track changes over time or compare against established norms. While critical for patient care, it does not reflect the patient’s personal experience or perception.

B. Respiratory rate is also objective data because it can be counted and observed. It provides a concrete measure of physiological function and is not influenced by the patient’s subjective feelings. Objective data like vital signs are crucial for detecting trends, assessing baseline health, and identifying early signs of deterioration.

C. The patient reporting feeling nausea is subjective data, meaning it is based on the patient’s personal experience and cannot be directly measured by the nurse. Subjective data include symptoms such as pain, fatigue, dizziness, anxiety, or nausea. This type of information is essential for understanding the patient’s perception of illness, guiding interventions, and planning individualized care. Without eliciting subjective data through careful interviewing, a nurse might miss symptoms that are not apparent through objective measurements alone.

Rationale:

A. Macular degeneration primarily affects the macula, the central portion of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. A decrease in central vision is the hallmark symptom of this condition, often making tasks such as reading, recognizing faces, and driving difficult. Peripheral vision is usually preserved in early stages, which differentiates it from other visual impairments.

B. Cataracts cause clouding of the lens, leading to blurred vision, glare, and difficulty seeing in low light. Cataracts generally affect overall vision rather than selectively impairing central vision. Therefore, a report of decreased central vision alone is not specific to cataracts.

C. Diabetic retinopathy involves damage to retinal blood vessels, leading to spots, floaters, blurred vision, or vision loss. While it can affect central vision in advanced stages, the early manifestation is usually patchy or scattered visual changes, not isolated central vision loss.

D. Glaucoma typically causes peripheral vision loss first, often progressing to tunnel vision if untreated. Central vision is preserved until the late stages, making glaucoma less likely to be the cause of a recent decrease in central vision.