Non-Blood Specimen Collection Flashcards

What is the difference between a clean-catch midstream urine and a catheterized urine specimen?

Answer: Clean-catch uses patient self-collection; catheterized is collected via a tube inserted into the bladder

A clean-catch midstream is collected by the patient after cleaning the genital area, while catheterized urine is obtained by inserting a sterile tube directly into the bladder.

When collecting a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimen, in what order are the tubes typically numbered and sent to the laboratory?

Answer: Tube 1 for microbiology, Tube 2 for chemistry, Tube 3 for hematology/cell count

CSF tubes are numbered sequentially with Tube 1 for microbiology, Tube 2 for chemistry/serology, and Tube 3 for cell count, as the last tube has the least blood contamination from the procedure.

A swab for wound culture should be collected from which area of the wound?

Answer: The wound edges where healthy tissue meets infected tissue

Wound culture swabs should be collected from the advancing edge of the wound where active infection meets viable tissue, as this area contains the highest concentration of causative organisms.

What type of specimen container is used for anaerobic culture collection?

Answer: Oxygen-free transport system or anaerobic vial

Anaerobic cultures require oxygen-free transport systems because anaerobic bacteria are killed by exposure to atmospheric oxygen.

Which body fluid is tested using an arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis?

Answer: Arterial blood from a peripheral artery

ABG analysis requires arterial blood collected from a peripheral artery (typically the radial artery) to measure oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in oxygenated blood.

For a timed urine collection that requires refrigeration, what temperature should the specimen be maintained at during collection?

Answer: 2-8 degrees C (refrigerator temperature)

Timed urine collections requiring refrigeration should be kept at 2-8 degrees C to prevent bacterial growth and metabolite degradation during the collection period.