screening test

screening test

n.

A test designed to identify and eliminate those who are not affected by a disease.

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screening

1. examination of a large sample of animals in a population in order to detect the presence of disease or to ascertain the prevalence of certain diseases, such as tuberculosis or diabetes mellitus.

2. in diagnostic tests the use of a test which has a high sensitivity but often only a moderate specificity. Usually this is a quick and cheap test which is followed by a more expensive but more accurate test carried out on the positive reactors to the screening test.

3. fluoroscopy or image intensification (Great Britain).

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biochemical screening

using biochemical tests for purposes of detecting the presence of a disease.

multiphasic screening, multiple screening

simultaneous examination of a population for several different diseases.

preventive screening

screening of a population with a preventive medical program in prospect.

screening test

any test, e.g. tuberculin, brucellosis tests, used to screen a population.