Certified Medical Assistant Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a subjective symptom?

1. Pain

2. Dizziness

3. Fever

4. Nausea

The correct answer is: Fever

In the context of medical terminology, subjective symptoms are those that are reported by the patient and cannot be measured or observed directly by the healthcare provider. They rely on the individual's personal experience and perspective. Pain, dizziness, and nausea are all subjective symptoms because they are sensations that patients describe based on their own feelings. For example, a patient may report experiencing a specific level of pain or feeling dizzy, but these sensations cannot be quantified or objectively measured by a healthcare provider in the same way vital signs or laboratory results can be. Fever, on the other hand, is an objective symptom. It can be measured using a thermometer, providing a quantifiable value that indicates a higher than normal body temperature. This distinction is essential in clinical practice, as it helps to categorize patient symptoms appropriately and guide further investigation and treatment. Thus, fever is the correct choice because it represents a measurable physiological condition rather than a personal, subjective experience.