CSC Specimen Validity Testing & Adulteration Detection 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A urine specimen is reported with a pH of 2.5. What does this result indicate under federal drug testing guidelines?
- The specimen is substituted
- The specimen is dilute
- The specimen has been adulterated (Correct answer)
- The specimen is valid but highly concentrated
Correct answer: The specimen has been adulterated
A pH below 3.0 is outside the physiological range for human urine and indicates the specimen has been chemically adulterated.
Question 2: What creatinine range identifies a dilute specimen in federal workplace drug testing?
- Less than 2 mg/dL
- Greater than or equal to 2 mg/dL and less than 20 mg/dL (Correct answer)
- 20 to 30 mg/dL
- Greater than 30 mg/dL
Correct answer: Greater than or equal to 2 mg/dL and less than 20 mg/dL
A dilute specimen has a creatinine of at least 2 mg/dL but less than 20 mg/dL, indicating the specimen is physiologically produced but abnormally diluted.
Question 3: Pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC), sold under commercial names like 'UrineLuck,' is best classified as which type of adulterant?
- Reducing agent
- Surfactant
- Oxidizing agent (Correct answer)
- pH modifier
Correct answer: Oxidizing agent
PCC is a chromium-based oxidizing adulterant that destroys drug metabolites like THC in the specimen, making them undetectable.
Question 4: What specific gravity range identifies a dilute urine specimen per federal guidelines?
- Less than 1.0010
- Greater than 1.0010 and less than or equal to 1.0030 (Correct answer)
- Greater than 1.0030 and less than 1.0100
- Greater than 1.0100
Correct answer: Greater than 1.0010 and less than or equal to 1.0030
A dilute specimen has a specific gravity above 1.0010 (distinguishing it from substituted) but not exceeding 1.0030, reflecting abnormal dilution.
Question 5: What is the minimum urine volume required to complete a federal workplace drug test, including the split specimen?
- 15 mL
- 30 mL (Correct answer)
- 45 mL
- 60 mL
Correct answer: 30 mL
Federal guidelines require a minimum of 30 mL of urine—45 mL is the collection target—but 30 mL is the minimum needed to process both Bottle A (primary) and Bottle B (split).
Question 6: A donor's specimen temperature reads 85°F (29°C), which is outside the acceptable range. What is the correct collector action?
- Discard the specimen and send the donor home
- Accept the specimen, document the temperature on the CCF, and consider a direct observed recollection (Correct answer)
- Reject the specimen and automatically report a refusal to test
- Reheat the specimen to the correct temperature before sealing
Correct answer: Accept the specimen, document the temperature on the CCF, and consider a direct observed recollection
Per federal rules, an out-of-range temperature specimen is documented on the CCF and sent to the lab; the collector should also attempt to collect a second specimen under direct observation.
Question 7: Under federal drug testing regulations, how long is a donor with 'shy bladder' allowed to attempt to produce a sufficient urine specimen?
- 30 minutes
- 1 hour
- Up to 3 hours (Correct answer)
- Up to 8 hours
Correct answer: Up to 3 hours
Federal regulations allow a donor with 'shy bladder' up to 3 hours to produce a sufficient specimen, during which they may drink up to 40 ounces of fluid.
CSC Specimen Validity Testing & Adulteration Detection 2
A urine specimen is reported with a pH of 2.5.
What does this result indicate under federal drug testing guidelines?