Question

In short sentences,explain the following diagnostic terms:

a. Reference range

b. Normal range

c. Detectable limit

d. Linear reportable range

Answer 1

1. In health related fields, a reference range or reference interval is the range of values that is deemed normal for a physiologic measurement in healthy persons. It is a basis for comparison for a physician or other health professional to interpret a set of test results for a particular patient.
2. Normal range: Characteristic of 95 percent of values from a normal population. The remaining normal results fall outside the normal range, as do any truly abnormal results.
3. The detection limit of an analytical method tells how low a concentration can be said to be measured. Users, laboratories, and equipment manufacturers prefer low ones. Industries under environmental regulation insist on honest ones.
4. Reportable range is the functional range of an assay over which the concentrations of an analyte can be measured with acceptable accuracy and precision. AMR is defined as the range of values an instrument can report directly without dilution or concentration.