What is the purpose of a control sample in laboratory testing?

The purpose of a control sample in laboratory testing is to provide a benchmark against which patient results can be compared to ensure accuracy. Control samples are analyzed alongside patient specimens to assess the consistency and reliability of the testing process. These samples typically contain known quantities of analytes and help verify that the laboratory methods yield correct results under standard operating conditions. This practice is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the testing process and ensuring that any results reported to healthcare providers are trustworthy, ultimately impacting patient diagnosis and treatment.

In this context, comparing against patient results for accuracy is foundational for quality assurance in laboratory settings. It helps technicians identify any deviations from expected results, leading to potential corrections in testing procedures or equipment functioning.

Other choices, while relevant to laboratory practices, focus on specific aspects that do not fully encapsulate the primary purpose of control samples. Ensuring reagents are functioning (the second choice) is part of quality control but not the broader picture of accuracy under which control samples serve. Determining cost-effectiveness (the third choice) does not directly relate to the purpose of control samples, as they are not used for financial assessments but rather for procedural validation. Validating calibration of equipment (the fourth choice) is an important practice as well, but control samples play a