OBJECTIVE SYMPTOM Meaning and
Definition
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Objective symptom refers to a physical or observable manifestation of a disease, condition, or disorder that can be measured or assessed by a healthcare professional. These symptoms can be detected through various diagnostic tests, laboratory findings, or clinical examinations, without any subjective input from the patient. Objective symptoms are distinct from subjective symptoms, which are based on the patient's perceptions and cannot be directly observed or measured.
Objective symptoms are vital for accurate diagnoses and provide quantifiable evidence that aids healthcare professionals in determining the presence, severity, and progression of an illness. Examples of objective symptoms include abnormalities observed in physical examinations (such as a rash, swelling, or abnormal heart sounds), abnormalities detected in medical imaging (such as a tumor or an enlarged organ), and abnormal laboratory test results (such as an elevated blood glucose level or the presence of specific antibodies).
Additionally, objective symptoms can be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatments or interventions. For instance, a decrease in fever, the disappearance of abnormal laboratory values, or the reduction in the size of a tumor are objective symptoms that indicate a positive response to therapy.
Objective symptoms play a crucial role in healthcare as they provide tangible evidence that aids in accurate diagnoses, treatment planning, and monitoring patient progress.
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One which is evident to the observer.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for OBJECTIVE SYMPTOM
- ibjective symptom
- kbjective symptom
- lbjective symptom
- pbjective symptom
- 0bjective symptom
- 9bjective symptom
- ovjective symptom
- onjective symptom
- ohjective symptom
- ogjective symptom
- obhective symptom
- obnective symptom
- obmective symptom
- obkective symptom
- obiective symptom
- obuective symptom
- objwctive symptom
- objsctive symptom
- objdctive symptom
- objrctive symptom
Etymology of OBJECTIVE SYMPTOM
The word "objective" originated from the Latin word "objectivus", which means "of or pertaining to an object". It later evolved in Middle French as "objectif", referring to "something objective". The term was then borrowed into English.
The word "symptom" has its roots in the Greek word "symptōma", meaning "anything that has befallen one, a chance, misfortune, a symptom". It came from the verb "symptō", which means "to befall, to happen". The word was later adopted into Latin as "symptoma" and then borrowed into English.
When combined, the term "objective symptom" describes a symptom that can be observed or measured by an external party and is not dependent on the individual's perception or description.
