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CPC Adulteration & Specimen Validity Testing Flashcards

6 cards from real CPC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. What is specimen validity testing (SVT) in the context of workplace drug testing?

    Answer: Laboratory testing to determine if a urine specimen has been adulterated, substituted, or diluted

    SVT is conducted by the laboratory to detect attempts to cheat the drug test through adulteration, substitution, or dilution of the specimen.

  2. Which specimen characteristic can the collector observe at the point of collection to detect possible adulteration?

    Answer: Unusual color, clarity, or odor of the specimen

    Collectors can observe visual cues such as unusual color, cloudiness, or abnormal odor that may suggest adulteration, and must document these on the CCF.

  3. If a collector notices that a specimen has a blue color, what should they do?

    Answer: Note the unusual color on the CCF, complete the collection, and send the specimen to the laboratory

    Unusual specimen color must be documented on the CCF as a remark, and the specimen is still sent to the laboratory for validity testing.

  4. What is a 'substituted' specimen in federal drug testing terminology?

    Answer: A specimen with creatinine below 2 mg/dL and specific gravity outside the range of 1.001 to 1.020

    Under 49 CFR Part 40, a substituted specimen has creatinine less than 2 mg/dL and/or specific gravity outside 1.001–1.020, indicating it is not consistent with normal human urine.

  5. Which of the following substances is a common adulterant that some donors attempt to use to invalidate a drug test?

    Answer: Bleach or oxidizing agents introduced into the specimen cup

    Bleach and oxidizing agents are introduced into the specimen by the donor to destroy drug metabolites, and the laboratory's validity tests are designed to detect these substances.

  6. What is the primary role of the Medical Review Officer (MRO) when a specimen is reported as adulterated?

    Answer: To interview the donor for a legitimate medical explanation before reporting the result to the employer

    The MRO must give the donor an opportunity to provide a legitimate medical explanation for an adulterated result before the result is reported to the employer.