12 Questions
What information should be included on a non-blood specimen label?
Patient's ID, and specimen type and source
Why is it important to familiarize oneself with handling requirements of non-blood specimens?
To ensure accurate test results and protect the integrity of the specimen
Who is typically responsible for collecting non-blood specimens in an outpatient setting?
Phlebotomist
What is the most frequently analyzed non-blood body fluid?
Urine
What is one of the purposes of urine analysis?
To monitor wellness and detect metabolic disease
Why is it important to explain the procedure to the patient before collecting a non-blood specimen?
To avoid embarrassing the patient
What is the purpose of a routine urinalysis?
To screen for urinary and systemic disorders
What type of urine specimen is preferred for pregnancy testing?
First morning specimen
What is the purpose of a urine culture and sensitivity test?
To identify and determine the antibiotic sensitivity of microorganisms
What type of urine specimen is used for cytology studies?
Fresh clean-catch specimen
What is the purpose of urine glucose and ketone testing?
To screen for diabetes and monitor glucose and ketone levels
What is the purpose of midstream clean-catch urine collection?
To reduce contamination of the urine specimen
Study Notes
Non-Blood Specimen Labeling and Handling
- Non-blood specimens should be labeled with the same ID information as blood specimens
- Labeling should include the type and/or source of the specimen
- The label should be applied to the container, not the lid, as the lid is removed for testing
- Familiarity with handling requirements is necessary to protect the integrity of the specimen and ensure accurate test results
- All body substances are potentially infectious
Urine Specimens
- Urine is the most frequently analyzed non-blood body fluid
- Urine analysis can aid in monitoring wellness, diagnosing and treating urinary tract infections, detecting and monitoring metabolic disease, and determining the effectiveness of therapy
- Urine is readily available, easy to collect, and inexpensive to test
Common Urine Tests
- Routine urinalysis (UA) is the most commonly requested urine test
- UA screens for urinary and systemic disorders and includes physical, chemical, and microscopic analysis
- UA is typically ordered as part of a physical or during hospitalization
- Urine culture and sensitivity are ordered for patients with symptoms of urinary tract infection
- Urine cytology studies are used to detect cancer, cytomegalovirus, and other diseases
- Urine drug screening is performed to detect illicit drug use, anabolic steroid use, and prescription drug use
- Urine glucose and ketone testing are used to screen for diabetes and monitor glucose and ketone levels in diabetics
- Urine pregnancy testing is used to detect HCG, a hormone that appears in urine after conception
Types of Urine Specimens
- Random specimens are collected at any time
- First morning/8-hour specimens are collected after 8 hours of sleep
- Fasting specimens are collected after fasting (for glucose monitoring)
- Timed specimens are collected at specific times (e.g., tolerance test, 2-hour postprandial, 24-hour, double-voided)
- Regular voided specimens are collected when the patient voids into a clean container
- Midstream specimens are collected by having the patient void into the toilet first, then into a container
- Midstream clean-catch specimens require special cleaning of the genital area before collection
Test your knowledge on handling and processing non-blood specimens, including labeling, handling requirements, and safety precautions. Ensure you understand the importance of accurate labeling and handling to maintain specimen integrity and achieve accurate test results.
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