How many positive responses on the CAGE questions indicate potential addiction?

Study for the History and Physical (Handamp;P) Exam 1. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

How many positive responses on the CAGE questions indicate potential addiction?

Explanation:
The main idea is that the CAGE is a quick screen for possible alcohol problems, using four yes/no questions. Each yes counts as a positive response. Having two or more positive responses suggests a potential alcohol problem and means the patient should undergo a more thorough evaluation for possible alcohol use disorder. One positive response isn’t enough to flag a problem because people may answer yes for unrelated reasons, and the tool is designed as a screening aid rather than a diagnostic test. Four positives would strongly suggest concern, but the established screening threshold used in practice is two or more to trigger further assessment.

The main idea is that the CAGE is a quick screen for possible alcohol problems, using four yes/no questions. Each yes counts as a positive response. Having two or more positive responses suggests a potential alcohol problem and means the patient should undergo a more thorough evaluation for possible alcohol use disorder. One positive response isn’t enough to flag a problem because people may answer yes for unrelated reasons, and the tool is designed as a screening aid rather than a diagnostic test. Four positives would strongly suggest concern, but the established screening threshold used in practice is two or more to trigger further assessment.

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