Fully revised and updated from the previous edition, this indispensable manual continues to provide hands-on coverage of the newest and most commonly performed lab and diagnostic tests. Organized according to specimen and function, each test is described in detail, with step-by-step guidance on correct procedure and tips for accurate interpretation. The Sixth Edition eliminates all outdated tests and features new discussions of today's most advanced techniques, including breath tests for peptic ulcer disease and oral tests for HIV infection. The latest social and health care trends are also addressed, including the effects of primary care and managed care on test selection and the trend toward shifting testing sites from the hospital to the community. Revised appendices are also included.