Chapter 1 - Diagnostic Testing

Question 0

What is the overall best screening test for cancer?

Answer 0

Cervical Pap: overall best screening test for cancer

Question 1

List three criteria for a screening test.

Answer 1

Criteria for screening test: ↑sensitivity and prevalence; cost-effective; treatable

Question 2

Give an example of a test used to confirm a disease.

Answer 2

Confirm disease: serum troponins to diagnose AMI

Question 3

Give three examples of monitoring disease status.

Answer 3

Monitor disease: HbA1c, INR, pulse oximeter

Question 4

What are the terms for test results for people with a specific disease?

Answer 4

Test results in people with disease: TP and FN

Question 5

What are the terms for test results for people without disease?

Answer 5

Test results in people without disease: TN and FP

Question 6

What is the formula to calculate sensitivity? What is sensitivity?

Answer 6

Sensitivity = TP ÷ (TP + FN); “positivity” in disease

Question 7

What are two features of a test with 100% sensitivity?

Answer 7

Test with 100% sensitivity: normal result TN; positive result TP or FP

Question 8

What is the formula for calculating specificity? What is specificity?

Answer 8

Specificity = TN ÷ (TN + FP); “negativity” in health

Question 9

What are two features of a test with 100% specificity?

Answer 9

Test with 100% specificity: positive test TP; negative test TN or FN

Question 10

What is the usefulness of a test with 100% sensitivity?

Answer 10

Usefulness of test with 100% sensitivity: exclude disease when test returns normal

Question 11

What is the usefulness of a test with 100% specificity?

Answer 11

Usefulness of test with 100% specificity: distinguish TP from FP test result