ALU 301: Chapter 6: An Underwriter's Guide to Cardiac Diagnostic Testing Exam Questions & Answers(Rated A)

Sensitivity - ANSWER-A test's ability to perceive and measure amounts or differences, whether small or large. A sensitive medical test is one that will be able to give a positive result when a particular condition is present, even during early stages. Ex - EKG test. Specificity - ANSWER-A test's ability to identify exactly one unique object or situation. A specific medical test is only positive for one particular disease or condition. Ex - EKG test. Bayes' Theorem - ANSWER-"Conditional probability" - a ration method to minimize the diagnostic uncertainty (i.e. false positives and false negatives) surrounding cardiac testing. The results of one cardiac test can be used to improve the accuracy of the tests that follow. Benefits of Bayes' Theorem - ANSWER-It provides a much more rational approach allowing the risk assessment to start with some simple parameters such as age, sex, and the results of routine underwriting, and to use those results to help understand the risk when more powerful cardiac testing has also been performed. Most basic cardiac diagnostic workup - ANSWER-The history and physical taken by a physician. Most valuable element of the physical exam? - ANSWER-Auscultation with the stethoscope. By listening for the timing and intensity of heart sounds, the physician can detect the various murmurs associated with heart disease. Heart murmurs - ANSWER-Diagnosed with a stethoscope and can be systolic, diastolic or continuous. Murmur grades - ANSWER-Grade 1: Barely audible with utmost concentration Grade 2: Soft, but easily heard Grade 3: Loud without thrill Grade 4: Loud with thrill Grade 5: Loud, heard with barely any contact between stethoscope and chest wall Grade 6: Loud, heard with stethoscope off the chest wall Pericardial friction rub - ANSWER-A superficial, high-pitched, or scratchy sound that is diagnostic of pericarditis.