Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) ASCP Practice Exam

Nephelometers are instruments specifically designed to measure the scattering of light by particles suspended in a solution. This technique is utilized in various laboratory settings, particularly in clinical chemistry and immunology, to determine the concentration of substances based on how light is scattered as it passes through a sample containing turbidity or particulates.

When light is directed at a sample, the presence of particles causes it to scatter in various directions. The degree of scattering correlates with the number and size of the particles, allowing for quantification. This characteristic is especially useful for measuring concentrations of proteins, hormones, or other substances in bodily fluids like serum or urine.

While absorption, refraction, and transmission of light are important concepts in optics and can be measured using different types of equipment, they are not the primary focus of nephelometers. Hence, the accurate measurement related to the context of nephelometry is specifically centered around the scattering of light.