Unit 03: Screening & Diagnostic Testing (Part 2)

Question 1

Multiple tests can be combined in two main ways:

Answer 1

• series or sequential testing
• parallel or simultaneous testing

Question 2

In ____ testing tests are used one after another in sequence, to determine a final decision. Only those individuals that test positive on the first test undergo testing with the second test.

Answer 2

series

Question 3

In ____ testing, multiple tests are used simultaneously to determine the final decision. All tests are conducted at once and the results of the tests are combined for interpretation.

Answer 3

parallel

Question 4

This method of testing is often used when a cheap first test is available that is less invasive and less uncomfortable. The second test used is often the more expensive test and may be more invasive and cause greater discomfort .

Answer 4

series testing

Question 5

In ____ testing, only if BOTH results are NEGATIVE is the individual considered outcome-negative (or disease free). Otherwise, if there is a positive test result on either or both tests, then the individual is considered outcome-positive (and has the disease).

Answer 5

parallel

Question 6

In ____ testing If the outcome of the first test is negative, then no further test is conducted and the individual is considered outcome-negative (disease free). If the outcome of the first test is positive, then this group of “test 1 positives” proceeds to receive test 2.

Answer 6

series

Question 7

____ is the ability of the test to identify correctly those who have the disease or outcome of interest.

Answer 7

sensitivity

Question 8

____ is the ability of the test to identify correctly those who do not have the disease or outcome of interest.

Answer 8

specificity

Question 9

Why is the use of multiple tests useful in epidemiology?

Answer 9

improvement of the validity of a decision being made

Question 10

a loss in net sensitivity and gain in net specificity results from this type of testing

Answer 10

series

Question 11

a gain in net sensitivity and loss in net specificity results from this type of testing

Answer 11

parallel

Question 12

the ability of a test to produce similarly accurate results when repeated or over time is referred to the ____ of a test

Answer 12

reliability

Question 13

____ variation is a source of variation which may impact reliability due to the change in an individual over time

Answer 13

Intrasubject

Question 14

____ variation is a source of variation which may impact reliability due to different interpretations by the same person or evaluator

Answer 14

Intraobserver

Question 15

____ variation is a source of variation which may impact reliability due to two or more people disagreeing on interpretaion of a test which may be impacted by different training and experience

Answer 15

interobserver

Question 16

____ refers to situations where two individuals make the same assessment due to random chance alone rather than true agreement

Answer 16

chance agreement

Question 17

the ____ is a measure of agreement beyond what would be due to chance alone.

Answer 17

kappa statistic

Question 18

Which of the following statements correctly completes the following blanks? If you wanted to increase the sensitivity of your diagnosis, you would use ________________ testing. While using 2 tests, you diagnose a person as positive based on either one of the two tests being positive, that is called ________________ testing.
Series. Series
Series. Parallel
Parallel. Parallel
Parallel. Series
None of the above

Answer 18

C