Mod F Unit 1 Terminology Words

artifact

Any irrelevant object or mark observed when examining specimens or graphic records that is not related to the object being examined—for example, a foreign object visible through a microscope or an erroneous mark on an ECG strip

centrifuge

A device used to spin a specimen at high speed until it separates into its component parts

Certificate of Waivers test

Laboratory tests that pose an insignificant risk to the patient if they are performed or interpreted incorrectly, are simple and accurate to such a degree that the risk of obtaining incorrect results is minimal, and have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use by patients at home; laboratories per-forming only Certificate of Waiver tests must meet less stringent standards than laboratories that perform tests in other categories

compound microscope

A microscope that uses two lenses to magnify the image created by condensed light focused through the object being examined

control sample

A specimen that has a known value; used as a comparison for test results on a patient sample

objectives

The set of magnifying lenses contained in the nosepiece of a compound microscope

ocular

An eyepiece of a microscope

Oil-immersion objective

A microscope objective that is designed to be lowered into a drop of immersion oil placed directly above the prepared specimen under examination, eliminating the air space between the microscope slide and the objective and producing a much sharper, brighter image.

optical microscope

A microscope that uses light, concentrated through a condenser, and focused through the object being examined, to project an image

photometer

An instrument that measures light intensity.

physician’s office laboratory (POL)

A laboratory contained in a physician’s office; processing tests in the POL pro-duces quick turnaround and eliminates the need for patients to travel to other test locations

point of care tests (POCT)

Tests performed at or near the patient, normally where the patient is being treated

proficiency testing problem

A required set of tests for clinical laboratories; the tests measure the accuracy of the laboratory’s test results and adherence to standard operating procedures.

qualitative test response

A test result that indicates the substance tested for is either present or absent

quality assurance program

A required pro-gram for clinical laboratories designed to monitor the quality of patient care, including quality control, instrument and equipment maintenance, proficiency testing, training and continuing education, and standard operating procedures documentation

quality control program

A component of a quality assurance program that focuses on ensuring accuracy in laboratory test results through careful monitoring of test procedures

quantitative test results

The concentration of a test substance in a specimen.

reagent

A chemical or chemically treated substance used in test procedures and formulated to react in specific ways when exposed under specific conditions

reference laboratory

A laboratory owned and operated by an organization outside the physician’s practice

standard

A specimen for which test values are already known; used to calibrate test equipment

10x lens

A magnifying lens in the ocular of a microscope that magnifies an image ten times.

cytology

Microscopic examination of cells to make a diagnosis; Pap smears (tests for detecting cervical cancer) are evaluated in the cytology department

toxicology

Testing to identify poisons or other chemicals in the body. Workplace drug testing is a type of toxicology.

histology

Microscopic evaluation of tissues to make a diagnosis; a biopsy of a skin lesion is sent to the histology department to examine the tissue for signs of cancer

serology

Testing the liquid part of the blood for antibodies against specific microorganisms; testing for malaria and viral hepatitis are serologic tests