Lab Math

Reference Range:

same as normal range

Reportable Range:

Span of test values which lab establishes the accuracy of an instrument

Reagent:

Any substance used to produce a chemical reaction

Reliability:

Depending on test results to be accurate

Scientific Notation:

Is reducing large numbers by using exponents

Scientific International Unit:

Modified metric system to ensure results are consistent in any part of the world

Solution:

Is a mixture of 2 or more pure substances. In a solution, 1 pure substance is dissolved in another pure substance homogenously

Solvent:

A substance in which something is dissolved; for example water

Solute:

Is a substance dissolved in a mixture

Specificity:

Is a measure of the number of patients with no disease who test negative relative to the total number of patients who test negative. Specificity provides us with the percentage of true negatives

Sensitivity:

Is a measure of the number of patients with a disease who test positive relative to the total number of patients who test positive. Sensitivity provides us with the percentage of true positives

Specific Gravity:

Is a measurement of density, a ratio of the mass of a substance relative to water

Standard:

Chemical solution of a known concentration that can be used as a reference or calibration substance

Standard Deviation:

Is a measure of the spread or dispersion of a set of data

Significant Figure or Digit:

a number whose accuracy is reliable

Stock Solution:

Concentrated solution used to make up working solutions

Therapeutic Range:

Range of results that refers to either the dosage range or blood concentration usually expected to achieve desired therapeutic effects

Technical Grade:

Chemicals used for industrial purposes

V/V Solution:

Volume to volume solution; 2 liquids

W/V Solution:

Weight to volume solution; the amount of solute in a solvent