CLINICAL LAB SCIENEC

GLOSSARY 455
Protozoan Unicellular, animal-like organism of the
phylum Protozoa that may infect humans who are
immunocompromised; several malaria species are
examples of protozoans
Prozone Phenomenon in which agglutination or
precipitation occurs at higher dilution ranges,
but is not visible in lower dilution or undiluted
samples because of an excess of antibodies relative
to antigens, yielding misleading results
Pus Purulent matter that may gather around the site
of an infection, composed chiefly of white blood
cells
Qualitative procedure Yields a positive or negative
result with no attempt at quantitation
Quality assurance Encompasses all aspects, including
personnel and equipment, of performance in a
facility; quality control is a vital component of a
total quality assurance program
Quality control programs Sets of controls performed
along with patient samples to provide for accuracy
in the laboratory; results are recorded and
compared from day to day; mean averages and
population norms are determined in this manner
Quantitative pipette Pipette marked to measure
volumes to a significantly accurate level
Quantitative procedure Provides specific numbers,
amounts, or levels of analytes
Quantity not sufficient (QNS) Indication on report
referring to specimen volume
Random access Type of analytic equipment that
is programmable to accept samples out of
order
Random error Error that occurs during testing
without explanation; often discovered when a
single result does not match other clinical data for
the same patient
Reference laboratory Laboratory that performs
low-volume, very specialized tests beyond the
scope or affordability of a typical hospital or
medical facility
Registration Process by which a professional
association places an individual on a list (registry)
of persons possessing minimum competencies in a
particular field
Registry List of qualified individuals deemed
professionally competent through examination
Reimbursement Payment by insurance plans and
government programs to medical facilities and
physicians toward the cost of patient services
Reproducibility Also called precision; testing that is
run repetitively on the same specimen should yield
the same results
Reticulocyte Last immature stage of an erythrocyte
(red blood cell)
Retrovirus RNA-containing virus that may be
implicated in sarcomas, leukemias, and
lymphomas
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) Chronic, progressive
autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation
and swelling of joints, muscle weakness, and
fatigue
Rh factor/Rh type Genetically determined protein on
red blood cells; “Big D” is the major antigen used
for positive or negative blood type
Rickettsiae Intracellular parasitic bacterium that is
usually tick-borne
Ringworm Common term for a contagious skin
infection (tinea) caused by a fungus, Microsporum
or Trichophyton
Risk management Prevention and containment of
liability by documenting critical or unusual patient
care incidents
Rotor Spinning part of a centrifuge that is powered by
a motor
Safety Committee Responsible for monitoring the
entire physical plant of a facility for safety issues
to protect visitors, patients, and workers; works
closely with the Infection Control Committee and/
or Exposure Committee
Safranin Biological stain used to dye blood cells;
orange in color
Screening test Sensitive but not completely specific
test; used for large groups to identify certain
individuals for further definitive testing
Sealing putty Similar to clay and plumber’s putty;
used for sealing ends of microhematocrit tubes
Semiquantitative pipette Pipette not intended for
accurate measurement but for general transfer of
liquid from one tube or container to another
Semiquantitative procedure Results do not provide
numerical values but are graded relative to normal
levels of antibodies when no active disease is present
(such as weakly reactive, moderately reactive, etc.)
Sensitivity Proper level incorporated into test
procedures to detect clinically significant amounts
of analytes to help rule out false positive results
Sequential analysis Tests performed in a prescribed order
or in the order they were entered into an analyzer
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