2007-02-08 17:21:54 · 9 answers · asked by pardz19 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
People usually present with very general symptoms, like abdominal pain. Doctors work based on differential diagnoses -- thinking of as many different possible causes as possible. For example, they may be thinking of a variety of viral or bacterial infections, or a problem with the digestive tract, or a problem with the abdominal aorta, or in females possible ectopic pregnancy or uterine disorders, or acute appendicitis, etc.
Then they ask questions and perform the physical examination and lab tests to rule things out, that is, to find out which of the possibilities cannot be true. So if they find out that the patient had his appendix removed when he was a kid, the doctor can rule out appendicitis. If the blood count is normal, then there is probably no infection. These would then be "ruled out."
I think the term comes from back when people would cross things out by drawing a straight line through them, using a ruler. So you can picture a list of choices, and someone with a ruler "ruling out" some of the items.
2007-02-08 17:40:00 · answer #1 · answered by Surely Funke 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is called deductive reasoning.
They are "Ruling out" what does not apply to the problem.
A simple math problem can show the reasoning.
4 - X = 1 What does X equal?
4 - 1 = 3 The answer does not equal 1. We can rule out 1.
4 - 2 = 2 The answer does not equal 1. We can rule out 2.
4 - 3 = 1 The answer equals 1. X must be equal to 3.
2007-02-09 01:31:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they suspect that you might have something, but are not really sure, they will do test to "rule" out whatever it is. Sometimes you could have symptoms of many things, not just one. That is why they do tests. Usually each test has a specific purpose to help determine the diagnosis. Those specific test could also show them that something else is not right. Then they will run other tests to help diagnose what they unexpectedly found.
2007-02-09 01:39:38 · answer #3 · answered by uuummk 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sort of; it's more of a way of checking that the problem isn't at the more serious end of the spectrum. For instance, they might be 90% sure that a chest pain complaint is g.i. related, but might run some tests to Rule Out a heart attack.
2007-02-09 01:30:45 · answer #4 · answered by P-nuts and Hair-dos 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
Oops, I see I forgot to finish my answer.
Ruling out a diagnosis is part of the differential diagnosis process. It is a procedure used to confirm the suspected diagnosis by trying to prove that it isn't the diagnosis. Sounds odd, but it is a very powerful tool when used correctly.
2007-02-09 01:24:26 · answer #5 · answered by Hank Hill 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they might have a whole laundry list to rule out....you are paying them to find out what is wrong, so they got their fishing line in the water and trying to catch a fish...
2007-02-09 04:18:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, ruling something out means you DON'T think that's what it is.
2007-02-09 01:24:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
They are usually following a pencil pushers protocal of cheapest tests and easiest treatments to save money rather than treating what the real problem is and fixing it.
2007-02-09 01:24:37 · answer #8 · answered by gorg515 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's a another way of saying 'I have no idea what's wrong with you".
2007-02-09 01:24:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋