Final answer:
Panel tests are a set of medical tests conducted from a single blood draw, allowing for the efficient screening of multiple health indicators or the monitoring of various biochemical parameters.
Step-by-step explanation:
Panel tests are groups of tests conducted at one time from a single venipuncture. This efficiency-driven approach is commonly used in medical labs, where blood samples are collected and tested for a variety of indicators to assess a patient’s health status or to monitor specific conditions. By using panel tests, clinicians can efficiently screen for multiple conditions or monitor several biochemical parameters through a single blood draw.
One example is the collection of blood into tubes with anticoagulants like lithium heparin, K2EDTA, or EDTA, which are then centrifuged to obtain plasma for analysis. The plasma may undergo various tests to quantify substances such as lipids, glucose levels, or certain drug metabolites. Often, these tests are designed to examine the levels of enzymes or other biomarkers that can provide insights into the patient's health.
Panel tests are advantageous as they require fewer resources, such as the number of animals in research settings or analytical resources in labs. They also minimize the potential for drug-drug interaction (DDI) interference and provide a complete pharmacokinetic profile in pharmacological studies. Importantly, panel tests contribute to a comprehensive diagnostic assessment while being mindful of the patient’s comfort and reducing the need for multiple venipunctures.