CPC Specimen Collection Procedures & Chain of Custody 3

Question 1

A donor provides a urine specimen with a temperature of 82°F (27.8°C). What should the collector do?

Accepted Answer

Have the donor provide a second specimen under direct observation and document the temperature discrepancy

Answer

A temperature outside the 90–100°F range gives reason to believe tampering occurred; the collector must note the discrepancy and may require a second collection under direct observation.

Question 2

Which specimen container is appropriate for collecting a blood specimen intended for blood alcohol content (BAC) analysis under forensic chain of custody?

Accepted Answer

Gray-top tube with sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate

Answer

Sodium fluoride inhibits glycolysis to preserve glucose/alcohol levels, and potassium oxalate acts as an anticoagulant, making gray-top tubes standard for BAC testing.

Question 3

Under DOT regulations, which of the following would constitute a 'refusal to test'?

Accepted Answer

Donor fails to provide a sufficient specimen volume after adequate time and fluids

Answer

If a donor cannot provide 45 mL within 3 hours despite consuming up to 40 oz of fluid, it is reported as a refusal (shy bladder failure is treated as a refusal under DOT rules).

Question 4

What is the primary reason specimen collection areas used for forensic/COC testing should have bluing agents added to toilet water?

Accepted Answer

To prevent donors from diluting specimens with toilet water

Answer

Bluing agents make toilet water an obviously different color so that a donor cannot easily substitute it for urine without detection.

Question 5

When labeling a blood specimen tube at the point of collection, which information is MOST critical to include for chain-of-custody purposes?

Accepted Answer

Patient/donor name, date and time of collection, and collector's initials

Answer

Accurate patient identification, collection date/time, and collector initials are the minimum required identifiers on COC specimen labels to maintain specimen integrity.

(CPC) Certified Professional Collector Practice Test

(CPC) Certified Professional Collector Practice Test

CPC Specimen Collection Procedures & Chain of Custody 3