Point of Care Testing Overview

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts in point-of-care testing and laboratory practices relevant to medical assisting.

Laboratory Testing

The science that applies clinical laboratory testing methods to the care and diagnosis of patients.

Specimen

A sample obtained from body fluid, waste product, or tissue collected for analysis.

Point-of-Care Testing

Medical testing performed at or near the site of patient care.

Waived Testing

Testing procedures that are simple and carry minimal risk of erroneous results, classified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA).

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)

Regulations established to ensure quality in laboratory testing.

Medical Technologist (MT)

A certified professional who performs complex laboratory tests.

Hematology

The branch of medicine concerning the study of blood.

Microbiology

The study of microscopic organisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

Urinalysis

A screening tool to evaluate components excreted in urine.

Hemoglobin A1C

A test that reflects the average level of blood sugar over the past 3 months.

Quality Control (QC)

Procedures related specifically to the reliability and accuracy of laboratory tests.

Clean-Catch Midstream

A method of urine collection designed to minimize contamination.

Chain of Custody

The process of maintaining and documenting the handling of specimens to ensure integrity for legal testing.

Fecal Occult Blood Test

A test performed to screen for hidden blood in the stool.

Spirometry

A noninvasive test that measures lung function by assessing the amount and speed of air that can be inhaled and exhaled.

Antihistamines

Medications that block histamine’s response and may interfere with allergy testing.

Specimen Collection

The process of obtaining samples for laboratory testing.

Patient Education

The process of teaching patients about their health and what to expect during medical procedures.

Cholesterol Testing

Analyzing lipids in blood to assess cardiovascular health.

Specimen Transport

The method by which collected specimens are securely moved to the testing facility.

Demographic Information

Detailed patient data required on requisition forms for accurate lab processing.

Drug Testing

Screening for the presence of recreational drugs and medications in urine and blood samples.