Specimen Validity Testing & Adulteration Detection Flashcards
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Read the first 7 Specimen Validity Testing & Adulteration Detection flashcards as text
What does a laboratory result of 'invalid' mean in the context of federal workplace drug testing?
Answer: The specimen could not be tested due to interfering substances or an unidentifiable characteristic
An 'invalid' result means the laboratory could not obtain a valid drug test result because the specimen contained interfering substances or had unresolvable characteristics.
Which combination of results confirms a specimen is 'substituted' per federal drug testing criteria?
Answer: Creatinine less than 2 mg/dL and specific gravity less than 1.0010
A substituted specimen is defined by both criteria being met: creatinine less than 2 mg/dL AND specific gravity less than 1.0010, indicating it is not consistent with normal human urine.
A collector directly observes a donor adding a substance from a concealed vial to their specimen cup. What is the correct immediate action?
Answer: Stop the collection, document the attempted adulteration on the CCF, and notify the DER
Witnessed adulteration requires the collector to immediately stop the collection, fully document the incident on the CCF, and notify the Designated Employer Representative (DER).
What is the primary purpose of retaining the split specimen (Bottle B) in federal workplace drug testing?
Answer: To allow the donor to request retesting of the same collection at a different HHS-certified laboratory
The split specimen (Bottle B) allows the donor to exercise their right to request an independent retest at a different HHS-certified laboratory if they dispute a verified positive result.
A specimen is reported by the laboratory with a pH of 11.5 and no other anomalies. How should this result be classified?
Answer: Adulterated
A pH of 11.5 is above the 9.0 upper limit of physiological range, indicating the specimen has been chemically adulterated with an alkaline substance.
Who is responsible for receiving final drug test results from the MRO and taking appropriate employment action in federal workplace testing?
Answer: The Designated Employer Representative (DER)
The Designated Employer Representative (DER) is the employer's point of contact who receives verified results from the MRO and initiates appropriate employment decisions.
When a federal drug test result is reported as 'dilute negative,' what option does the employer have under DOT regulations?
Answer: Direct an immediate recollection under direct observation
Under DOT regulations, when a result is dilute negative, the employer may direct the donor to provide an immediate recollection under direct observation to rule out deliberate dilution.