The laboratory technologists are discussing a new blood test that helps establish a differential diagnosis between shortness of breath with a cardiac etiology and shortness of breath with a respiratory/pulmonary etiology. A positive result is purported to indicate a cardiac etiology. The marketers of the test report that 99.8% of patients who have confirmed cardiac etiologies test positive in the test. However, 1.3% of patients who do not have cardiac etiologies for their shortness of breath also test positive. Which of the following statements best characterizes this blood test?
A) Low validity; high reliability
B) High sensitivity; low specificity
C) High specificity; low reliability
D) High sensitivity; low reliability

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A large number of patients would receive the correct positive diagnosis (high sensitivity), while a significant number would receive a false-positive diagnosis (low specificity). The information given does not indicate low reliability or low validity.

The Laboratory Technologists Are Discussing a New Blood Test That