Non-Blood Specimen Collection Flashcards

Which type of urine specimen is most commonly requested for routine urinalysis?

Answer: Random specimen

A random urine specimen is the most commonly collected type for routine urinalysis because it requires no special preparation and can be collected at any time.

When collecting a throat swab for rapid strep testing, where should the swab be applied?

Answer: The posterior pharynx and tonsillar area

The swab should be rubbed firmly over the posterior pharynx and tonsillar pillars where Group A Streptococcus colonizes, avoiding the tongue and buccal mucosa.

What is the proper protocol for labeling a 24-hour urine collection container?

Answer: Patient name, start date/time, end date/time, and preservative type

A 24-hour urine container must be labeled with the patient's full identification, the exact start and end times of collection, and any preservative added.

A sputum specimen for culture should ideally be collected at what time?

Answer: Early morning before eating or drinking

Early morning sputum specimens are preferred because secretions accumulate overnight, yielding a more concentrated sample with higher organism counts.

Which preservative is typically used in a 24-hour urine collection for vanillylmandelic acid (VMA)?

Answer: Hydrochloric acid (HCl)

Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is used as a preservative for VMA collections because it maintains an acidic pH that prevents degradation of catecholamine metabolites.

A phlebotomist is asked to collect a stool specimen for occult blood testing. What dietary instruction should the patient follow?

Answer: Avoid red meat, NSAIDs, and vitamin C for 3 days prior

Patients should avoid red meat, NSAIDs, and high-dose vitamin C before fecal occult blood testing to prevent false-positive and false-negative results.