Term | Definition |
analyte | a substance that is being identified or measured in a laboratory test |
calibration | a mechanism to check the precision and accuracy of a test system, such as an automated analyzer to determine if the system is providing accurate results. Calibration is typically performed using a calibration device, often called a standard |
clinical diagnosis | a tentative diagnosis of a patients condition obtained through evaluation of the health history and the physical examination without the benefit of laboratory or diagnostic tests |
control | a solution that is used to monitor a test system to ensure the reliability and accuracy of test results |
fasting | abstaining from food or fluids for a specific amount of time before the collection of a specimen |
homeostasis | the state in which body systems are functioning normally, and the internal environment of the body is in equilibrium; the body is in a healthy state |
In vivo | occurring in the living body or organism |
laboratory test | the clinical analysis and study of materials, fluids, or tissues obtained from patients to assist in diagnosis and treatment of disease |
nonwaived test | a complex laboratory test that does not meet the CLIA criteria for waiver and is subjected to the CLIA regulations |
plasma | the liquid part of the blood, consisting of a clear yellowish fluid that comprises approximately 55% of the total blood volume |
product insert | a printed document supplied by the manufacturer with a laboratory test product that contains information on the proper storage and use of the product |
profile | an array of laboratory test for identifying a disease state or evaluating a particular organ or organ system |
qualitative test | a test that indicated wether or not a substance is present in the sprecimen being tested and also provides an approximate indication of the amount of the substance present |
quality control | the application of methods to ensure that test results are reliable and valid and that errors are detected and eliminated |
quantitative test | a test that indicates the exact amount of a chemical substance that is present in the body with the results being reported in measurable units |
reagent | a substance that produces a reaction with a patient specimen that allows detection or measurement of the substance by the test system |
reference range | a certain stablished and acceptable parameter or reference range within which the laboratory test results of a healthy individual are expected to fall |
routine test | a laboratory test performed routinely on apparently healthy patients to assist in the early detection of disease |
serum | the clear straw-colored part of the blood that remains after the solid elements and the clotting factor fibrinogen have been separated out of it |
specimen | a small sample of something taken to show the nature of the whole |
test system | a setup that includes all of the test components required to perform a laboratory test such as testing devices, controls, and testing reagents |
waived test | a laboratory test that meets the CLIA criteria for being a simple procedure that is easy to perform and has a low risk of erroneous test results. Waived tests include tests that have been FDA-approved for use by patients at home |