What does quantitative analysis in laboratory tests measure?

Quantitative analysis in laboratory tests is designed to measure specific values and actual quantities of substances present in a sample. This type of analysis provides numerical data which can indicate the concentration of analytes, allowing healthcare professionals to make informed decisions regarding diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of patients. For instance, when a laboratory performs a quantitative test for glucose, it would report back the precise level of glucose in the blood sample rather than simply indicating whether glucose is present or absent.

In contrast, the presence or absence of a substance pertains to qualitative analysis, which does not provide information on the amount but rather whether a certain element is detectable. The quality of specimens refers to the adequacy and suitability of the samples collected for testing, which is essential but distinct from measuring quantities. Lastly, the time of specimen collection is relevant to context and may influence results but is not related to the measurement of quantitative values of the substances in the analysis.