Deny

How it is used

Used in written histories to record negative answers: 'Denies fever, cough or weight loss.' It is a neutral recording style and does not suggest the patient is lying. In speech doctors say 'no fever' or 'She hasn't had any fever.'

Example sentences

1. He denies chest pain but reports some shortness of breath on exertion.

2. Patient denies any recent travel or contact with sick people.

Common collocations

• denies fever
• denies any
• denies chest pain
• denies smoking

Related terms

• take a historyTo ask a patient structured questions about their current problem, past illnesses, medicines, family and lifestyle in order to understand what is wrong.
• complain ofTo tell a doctor or nurse that you have a particular symptom, such as pain or tiredness.
• symptomSomething a patient feels and reports, such as pain, tiredness or nausea, that may show they have an illness. Doctors learn about it by asking, not by measuring.
• red flagA symptom or sign that suggests a serious cause, such as cancer or a spinal problem, and needs urgent attention or tests.

More terms: History Taking and Examination

• present with
• chief complaint
• physical examination
• vital signs
• blood pressure
• onset
• allergy
• past medical history
• family history
• tenderness
• palpate
• oxygen saturation