Which term best describes an array of lab tests used to identify disease state or evaluate an organ?

• A. Laboratory test
• B. Profile
• C. Waived test
• D. Reference range

Answer: (B)

A profile describes a set of related lab tests ordered together to assess how an organ is functioning or to identify a disease state. It signals a panel designed to be interpreted as a group, giving a broader picture than a single test. For example, a lipid profile looks at several cholesterol-related measurements to assess cardiovascular risk, while a hepatic or metabolic profile combines multiple tests to evaluate liver or overall metabolic function. The idea is that the collection of tests provides more context than any one test alone.

A laboratory test is just one measurement, not an array. A waived test refers to a category of simple tests under CLIA, not a panel. A reference range is the normal values used to interpret results, not a collection of tests.