What role do reference ranges play in flow cytometric methods?

Reference ranges in flow cytometric methods serve a crucial role in providing essential data for the clinical interpretation of results. These ranges are defined as the expected values for a healthy population and are used to determine whether an individual's measurements fall within a normal range or indicate potential abnormality.

Having established reference ranges allows clinicians to make informed decisions regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of patients based on quantitative data. The context of a given assay or population can significantly influence what is deemed normal, thereby allowing healthcare professionals to draw meaningful conclusions about a patient's condition.

In contrast, while it may be true that reference ranges are helpful for interpretation, stating that they are always required is an oversimplification, as some tests may be interpreted without them in certain contexts. Reference ranges are indeed influenced by individual characteristics, but they are generally established based on a representative sample of a population rather than solely individual variations. Lastly, although reference ranges can differ between assays, this characteristic doesn't negate the fundamental purpose they serve in aiding clinical interpretation, making the second option the most accurate choice.