Which of the following is an objective finding indicating injury?

• A. Fever
• B. Pain
• C. Nausea
• D. Loss of sensation and motion

Answer: (D)

In trauma assessment, you distinguish signs you can observe or measure from symptoms the patient reports. An objective finding is something you can verify through examination or testing, not just what the patient says.

Loss of sensation and motion is an objective finding because you can test how the patient feels (sensory function) and how well they can move (motor function). A deficit in either indicates a possible injury to nerves or the spinal column, and it’s something you can observe or measure during your exam.

Pain, fever, and nausea are primarily subjective. Pain is experienced and described by the patient; fever is typically noted or confirmed by a measured temperature, and nausea is a symptom the patient reports. While these can accompany injuries, they’re not the observable sign that directly confirms an injury like a loss of sensation or motion.