6.2.1.5. Observable entity

Concepts in this hierarchy can be thought of as representing a question or procedure which can produce an answer or a result. For instance, | Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (observable entity) | could be interpreted as the question, "What is the left ventricular end diastolic pressure?" or "What is the measured left ventricular end-diastolic pressure?"

Observables are entities that could be used to code elements on a checklist or any element where a value can be assigned. | Color of nail (observable entity) | is an observable. | Gray nails (finding) | is a finding.

One use for | Observable entity | in a clinical record is to code headers on a template. For example, | Gender (observable entity) | could be used to code a section of a template titled "Gender" where the user would choose "male" or "female". "Female gender" would then constitute a finding.