I teach doctors how to interpret test results—and the labels 'normal' and 'abnormal' often hide what matters most

AI Summary

A physician educator argues that labels such as “normal” and “abnormal” can obscure the clinical significance of test results. The illustrative case describes a patient with chest tightness, swelling in the hands and legs, and an enlarged heart on chest X-ray.

V felt tightness across his chest. His deepest breaths felt shallow. He sought help at an emergency department, where a resident physician found several worrying signs, including swelling of his hands and legs as well as heart enlargement on a chest X-ray.