Medical Technologist Test Medical Technologist Terminology 2

Question 1

What does the term 'sensitivity' mean in the context of a diagnostic test?

Accepted Answer

The ability to correctly identify those WITH the disease

Answer

Sensitivity (true positive rate) is the proportion of patients with the disease who test positive.

Question 2

Which term describes a substance that accelerates a chemical reaction without being consumed?

Accepted Answer

Catalyst

Answer

A catalyst speeds up a reaction and is not consumed in the process; enzymes are biological catalysts.

Question 3

The term 'hemolysis' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Destruction of red blood cells with release of hemoglobin

Answer

Hemolysis is the rupture or destruction of erythrocytes, releasing hemoglobin into the plasma.

Question 4

What is 'specificity' in laboratory testing?

Accepted Answer

The ability to correctly identify true negatives

Answer

Specificity (true negative rate) is the proportion of patients without the disease who test negative.

Question 5

Which term describes the measure of a test's ability to detect small quantities of an analyte?

Accepted Answer

Analytical sensitivity

Answer

Analytical sensitivity, often expressed as the limit of detection, is the lowest measurable concentration of an analyte.

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