Collecting and Testing Specimens

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers key concepts, procedures, and terminology for collecting and testing urine, stool, sputum, and blood glucose specimens based on Chapter 38.

Specimen

A sample collected and tested to prevent, detect, and treat disease.

Requisition slip

A document that must accompany all specimens sent to the laboratory.

Random urine specimen

A urine sample collected at any time during a $24$-hour period, used for routine urinalysis (UA).

Midstream specimen

Also called a clean-voided specimen or clean-catch specimen, it involves cleaning the perineal area and collecting urine after the person starts to void.

24-hour urine specimen

A collection of all urine voided during a $24$-hour period, which is typically chilled on ice or refrigerated.

Wee bag

A collection bag applied over the urethra to collect urine from an infant or a child who is not toilet-trained.

Urine pH

A test that measures whether urine is acidic or alkaline.

Ketones

Substances that may appear in the urine of a person with diabetes, usually tested $4$ times a day, $30$ minutes before meals and at bedtime.

Hematuria

The presence of blood in the urine, which may be visible or occult (hidden).

Reagent strips

Testing strips that are dipped into urine and compared to a color chart on the bottle to determine specific measurements.

Calculus

A stone that can develop in the kidney, ureter, or bladder; urine must be strained if stones are suspected.

Occult blood

Hidden blood in specimens, such as stool, often tested for to screen for colon cancer and digestive disorders.

Sputum

Mucus from the respiratory system (bronchi and trachea) that is expectorated through the mouth; it is not the same as saliva.

Capillary blood

Blood obtained through a skin puncture, typically from the side of the middle or ring fingertip, for glucose testing.

Lancet

A sterile, disposable instrument used to puncture the skin for a blood specimen.

Glucometer

A glucose meter used to measure blood glucose levels by applying a drop of blood to a reagent strip.