HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What are objective signs?

1. Conditions as described by the patient

2. Conditions observed by someone other than the patient

3. Conditions verified by laboratory tests

4. Conditions requiring surgical intervention

The correct answer is: Conditions observed by someone other than the patient

Objective signs refer to conditions that can be observed and measured by someone other than the patient, such as a healthcare provider. These signs are observable indicators of disease or health issues, which can include symptoms like fever, rash, or swelling that a clinician can see during an examination. This contrasts with subjective symptoms, which are reported by the patient and may include personal feelings or experiences such as pain or fatigue. While conditions verified by laboratory tests can provide objective data, the essence of objective signs is that they are directly observable by an external observer. The definition also excludes subjective reports from the patient and does not pertain to surgical requirements, therefore reinforcing the distinction that objective signs must be recognized by the clinician without relying solely on patient input or clinical decisions about treatment intervention.