Question

Which of the following diagnostic purposes might molecular testing be used for? Check all that apply.

diagnosing infection

determining if a woman is pregnant

testing for drugs

diagnosing cancer

detecting viruses

Answer 1

- [x] diagnosing infection
- [ ] determining if a woman is pregnant
- [ ] testing for drugs
- [x] diagnosing cancer
- [x] detecting viruses

Brief rationale: Molecular tests detect DNA/RNA sequences or genetic changes, so they're widely used to identify infectious organisms (including viruses) and to detect cancer-associated mutations. Pregnancy tests detect the hCG hormone (an immunoassay), and routine drug screens detect drug molecules (immunoassay or mass spectrometry), not typically by molecular (DNA/RNA) testing.