Final answer:
Pertinent negatives are signs and symptoms that are expected on the basis of the chief complaint but that the patient denies having. They are important to consider in the diagnostic process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The signs and symptoms that are expected on the basis of the chief complaint but that the patient denies having are known as pertinent negatives. Pertinent negatives refer to specific symptoms or findings that are commonly associated with the chief complaint but are absent in the patient.
For example, if a patient complains of chest pain but denies shortness of breath or radiating pain to the arm, these would be considered pertinent negatives.
Pertinent negatives are important to consider in the diagnostic process as they can help narrow down potential causes of the chief complaint.