NHA Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

What is another term used to refer to point-of-care testing?

1. In-laboratory testing

2. Decentralized laboratory testing

3. Post-lab testing

4. Remote testing

The correct answer is: Decentralized laboratory testing

Point-of-care testing refers to diagnostic testing conducted at or near the site of patient care, as opposed to conventional laboratory settings. This approach allows for immediate results, facilitating quicker clinical decision-making and enhancing patient outcomes. The term "decentralized laboratory testing" accurately reflects this concept, as it emphasizes the movement of testing away from traditional centralized laboratories to more accessible locations, such as clinics or patients' bedsides. This decentralization enables health professionals to perform tests promptly and efficiently without the lengthy processes often associated with sending samples to a central lab. This is particularly beneficial in urgent care situations, where immediate results are crucial for timely treatment. Such testing includes a variety of procedures, such as blood glucose tests, rapid strep tests, and other quick diagnostic evaluations that can be performed directly in the clinical setting. The other terms do not adequately capture the essence of point-of-care testing. For example, in-laboratory testing suggests traditional settings where there’s typically a greater turnaround time for results, while post-lab testing implies that testing occurs after the sample has already been processed, negating the immediate treatment benefits associated with point-of-care practices. Remote testing also implies a distance from the care provider rather than the close, on-site testing that point-of