What is "blood test"

n. 1 A serologic analysis of a sample of blood; a test in which blood is removed from a subject and analyzed to determine the presence or levels of any of a variety of substances which indicate whether the subject has health problems. 2 An analysis of blood performed on two subjects to determine whether they are biologically related, such as a paternity test.

n. a serologic analysis of a sample of blood

A blood test is a laboratory analysis performed on a blood sample that is usually extracted from a vein in the arm using a needle, or via fingerprick. Multiple tests for specific blood components (such as a glucose test or a cholesterol test) are often grouped together into one test panel called a blood panel or blood work. Blood tests are often used in health care to determine physiological and biochemical states, such as disease, mineral content, pharmaceutical drug effectiveness, and organ function. Typical clinical blood panels include a basic metabolic panel or a complete blood count. Blood tests are also used in drug tests to detect drug abuse. In some of the United States, a blood test is required before marriage; historically, this was previously true in more states.

On 30 October 2015, researchers at the VUMC Cancer Center Amsterdam reported developing a blood test that, from a single drop of blood, can diagnose cancer with a probability of 97%, and about 6-8% probability of a false diagnosis, in healthy patients.

Blood Test is the second novel by Jonathan Kellerman, published in 1986. It is told from the first-person point of view of Dr. Alex Delaware, a child psychologist who is Kellerman's main character in the majority of his novels. The novel also includes Delaware's best friend, LAPD Detective, Milo Sturgis.

The plot of the novel surrounds a five-year-old boy, Woody Swope, who is gravely ill, and his parents have refused to allow the one treatment that could save his life. Alex is asked by Dr. Raoul Melendez-Lynch to discuss the treatment with Woody's parents. Mr. and Mrs. Swope are convinced that non-chemical holistic medicine is the only way to treat their son. After Woody disappears from his bed in the hospital, Alex and Milo discover that the motel room that Mr. and Mrs. Swope were staying in is abandoned, the only evidence of their occupation is a large blood stain on the floor. Their search for the family leads them to a strange part of the Swopes' hometown where morality is non-existent, and everything is permissible—even at the price of a young boy's life.

A secondary plot of the novel also involves Dr. Delaware's involvement in child custody cases as a consultant to family court.

Category:1986 American novels Category:Novels by Jonathan Kellerman Category:Fictional portrayals of the Los Angeles Police Department Category:Novels set in Los Angeles, California