In a 2x2 table, which outcome is a true negative?

In a 2x2 table, which outcome is a true negative?

• A. Condition present and test negative.
• B. Condition absent and test positive.
• C. Condition present and test positive.
• D. Condition absent and test negative.

Answer: (D)

A true negative occurs when the condition is absent and the test result is negative. In a 2x2 diagnostic table, that means the person does not have the condition and the test correctly indicates they don’t. The other combinations describe false negatives (present with a negative result), false positives (absent with a positive result), and true positives (present with a positive result). So the scenario where the condition is absent and the test is negative is the true negative.

A true negative occurs when the condition is absent and the test result is negative. In a 2x2 diagnostic table, that means the person does not have the condition and the test correctly indicates they don’t. The other combinations describe false negatives (present with a negative result), false positives (absent with a positive result), and true positives (present with a positive result). So the scenario where the condition is absent and the test is negative is the true negative.