What is the SnOut rule?

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Multiple Choice

What is the SnOut rule?

The SnOut rule means that a highly sensitive test, when negative, helps rule out the condition. Sensitivity is about catching people with the disease; a highly sensitive test has few false negatives. So if the test result is negative, you can be reasonably confident that the person does not have the disease, which is why such tests are great for screening large groups. Because you want to identify most true cases in screening, you start with a sensitive test, and only use a follow-up, more specific test to confirm if you get a positive result.

The SnOut rule means that a highly sensitive test, when negative, helps rule out the condition. Sensitivity is about catching people with the disease; a highly sensitive test has few false negatives. So if the test result is negative, you can be reasonably confident that the person does not have the disease, which is why such tests are great for screening large groups. Because you want to identify most true cases in screening, you start with a sensitive test, and only use a follow-up, more specific test to confirm if you get a positive result.

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