Drug screening results often rely on highly condensed acronyms and codes that can be confusing to anyone outside the toxicology laboratory. Understanding the specific codes on a drug test report is important for employment, legal compliance, or medical purposes, as these strings summarize complex laboratory analysis into a single line. The combination of “10DSP/NO THC/PHN” is a common example of this technical shorthand, representing the outcome of a comprehensive screening process.
The Standard 10-Panel Drug Screen
The initial code, 10DSP, stands for 10-Drug Screen Panel, which defines the breadth of the analysis performed on the sample. This is a common and broad test used to screen for ten different classes of substances, including illicit drugs and certain prescription medications often subject to misuse. The 10-panel test expands upon the basic five-panel screen to include a wider array of compounds, providing a more thorough safety or compliance check.
The panel typically targets five illicit drugs: Amphetamines, Cocaine, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Opiates, and Phencyclidine (PCP). The remaining five spots on the panel are usually dedicated to prescription drug classes: Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Methadone, Methaqualone, and Propoxyphene. While the exact substances may vary slightly between testing facilities, the 10DSP consistently represents a comprehensive screen for these ten categories of controlled substances.
Interpreting the THC Result
The next component, NO THC, provides a direct and specific finding for Tetrahydrocannabinol. This result indicates that the metabolite of THC, known as THC-COOH, was not detected in the sample at or above a specific threshold. A negative finding does not necessarily mean there was zero drug present, but rather that any trace amounts were below the established laboratory cut-off level.
Drug testing relies on these cut-off levels, measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL), to differentiate between actual drug use and incidental environmental exposure. For initial urine screening, the cut-off level for the THC metabolite is commonly set at 50 ng/mL. If the sample concentration is less than this threshold, the test is reported as negative. Therefore, “NO THC” signifies that the concentration of the cannabis metabolite in the sample was too low to be considered a positive result under forensic guidelines.
Decoding the PHN Acronym
The final part of the code, PHN, is generally a status indicator or an internal laboratory abbreviation summarizing the results for the other nine drug categories on the panel. While not a standardized acronym like THC, it often functions as a proprietary lab code signifying a complete and negative outcome for the remainder of the screening process. A likely interpretation in this context is “Processing History Negative,” or a similar organizational code.
This code effectively serves as a final confirmation that the entire multi-drug screen was successfully processed. It provides a quick summary of the remaining nine drug classes, indicating that no other tested substances were found above their respective cut-off concentrations. Because these internal codes can vary, it is always recommended to consult the full laboratory report.
What the Complete Result Means
Synthesizing the entire result string, 10DSP/NO THC/PHN translates to a completed 10-Drug Screen Panel that was negative for Tetrahydrocannabinol and negative for all remaining substances on the panel. This combination of codes signifies a successful and fully compliant test result, indicating that the individual passed the drug screen for all ten targeted drug classes. The result is typically reported to the requesting entity, such as an employer or probation officer, as a simple “Negative.”
The real-world implication of this result is usually clearance for the individual to proceed with the next step, whether that is starting a new job, maintaining probation status, or receiving medical certification. A negative finding means that none of the tested drugs were present in the sample at a concentration high enough to trigger a formal positive result and subsequent confirmation testing. Following this negative report, the next steps often involve a final administrative review by a Medical Review Officer (MRO).