Variationin medicine/Diagnostic testing

Question 1

What is nominal data?

Answer 1

Categorical data

Question 2

What is ordinal data?

Answer 2

Ordered data, but not on a numerical scale (i.e. cancer stage). Cannot calculate an average of these types of data

Question 3

When should you not use standard deviation?

Answer 3

When data are skewed or bimodal. Standard deviation only should be calculated if there is a normal distribution

Question 4

What is sensitivity?

Answer 4

Percent of positive tests in people with the condition

Question 5

What is specificity?

Answer 5

Percent of negative test results in people who do not have the disease

Question 6

What is positive predictive value?

Answer 6

The probability that somebody actually has the disease if they test positive

Question 7

What is negative predictive value?

Answer 7

The probability that somebody does NOT have the disease if they receive a negative test result

Question 8

To rule in a disease, what kind of test do you want?

Answer 8

Test with high specificity

Question 9

To rule out a disease, what kind of test do you want?

Answer 9

Test with high sensitivity

Question 10

PPV is more affected by changes in sensitivity or specificity?

Answer 10

Specificity

Question 11

Is NPV more affected by changes in sensitivity or specificity?

Answer 11

Changes in sensitivity