Medical Technologist Terminology Flashcards
7 cards from real Medical Technologist Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Medical Technologist Terminology flashcards as text
What does the term 'sensitivity' mean in the context of a diagnostic test?
Answer: The ability to correctly identify those WITH the disease
Sensitivity (true positive rate) is the proportion of patients with the disease who test positive.
Which term describes a substance that accelerates a chemical reaction without being consumed?
Answer: Catalyst
A catalyst speeds up a reaction and is not consumed in the process; enzymes are biological catalysts.
The term 'hemolysis' refers to:
Answer: Destruction of red blood cells with release of hemoglobin
Hemolysis is the rupture or destruction of erythrocytes, releasing hemoglobin into the plasma.
What is 'specificity' in laboratory testing?
Answer: The ability to correctly identify true negatives
Specificity (true negative rate) is the proportion of patients without the disease who test negative.
Which term describes the measure of a test's ability to detect small quantities of an analyte?
Answer: Analytical sensitivity
Analytical sensitivity, often expressed as the limit of detection, is the lowest measurable concentration of an analyte.
The term 'aliquot' in laboratory practice means:
Answer: A measured portion taken from a larger sample
An aliquot is a sub-sample or measured portion removed from the original specimen for analysis.
What does 'isotonic' mean when describing a solution?
Answer: Having the same osmolality as plasma (approximately 285-295 mOsm/kg)
An isotonic solution has the same osmotic pressure as red blood cells, causing no net water movement across the cell membrane.