lateral flow test
lateral flow test — noun
1. a small plastic medical tool with a paper strip inside that shows whether a spec
a small plastic medical tool with a paper strip inside that shows whether a specific substance or germ is present in a sample of liquid, usually by changing colour or making lines appear
Putri took a lateral flow test out of its foil wrapper and placed it on the table.
collocation: took a lateral flow test out of its wrapper
The nurse showed us how to hold the lateral flow test flat while adding the liquid sample.
how to hold / use a lateral flow test
Each lateral flow test comes sealed in a foil packet to keep the strip dry and safe.
Sofia put the used lateral flow test into the plastic bag before throwing it away.
- rapid test kit
emphasises speed over the technology; more general term
- rapid antigen test
specifically tests for viral proteins; a subtype of lateral flow test
- PCR test
lab-based method requiring a machine; slower but more sensitive
文法句型
a lateral flow test
the lateral flow test
用法筆記
Countable noun. The physical device is called a lateral flow test; the procedure that uses it has the same name — see sense 2.
常見錯誤
❌ 'I bought three lateral flow tests from the store.' (correct) — 'test' here means the physical kit, not the procedure.
2. a medical screening procedure that uses a small paper-based device to check for
a medical screening procedure that uses a small paper-based device to check for a particular substance or germ in a sample such as saliva or nasal fluid, giving a result within minutes
Yara did a lateral flow test every morning before going to school during the outbreak.
routine: do a lateral flow test every morning
The school sent each student home with two lateral flow tests for the holiday break.
passive: sent home with [number] lateral flow tests
A lateral flow test can give you a clear result in about fifteen minutes without any equipment.
Joon's lateral flow test showed two pink lines, so he decided to stay home and rest.
- rapid test
shorter, informal term for any quick point-of-care test
- rapid antigen test
specifically detects viral proteins; a type of lateral flow test
- PCR test
lab-based and slower; considered more accurate for many viruses
文法句型
do/take a lateral flow test
a lateral flow test shows…
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 refers to the physical device; sense 2 refers to the procedure of using it. The phrase 'do a lateral flow test' always signals sense 2.