Specimen Collection Notes

specimen

A sample that represents a whole.

different types of specimens

Urine, stool, sputum, culture, blood.

point-of-care testing (POCT)

Allows patients to be tested and diagnosed in various locations such as offices, homes, and hospitals.

purpose of quality control testing

To ensure that the equipment is functioning correctly.

calibration

The act of ensuring laboratory instruments produce accurate results.

regulates laboratory testing

CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments).

CLIA-waived tests

No special certification required, unlikely to be incorrect; examples include COVID, flu, pregnancy tests.

associates' certified tests

CLIA-waived tests.

purpose of specimen tests

To diagnose diseases.

importance of patient education

Ensures procedures are followed and patients are not harmed.

specimen collection gloves

Should be worn during specimen collection.

actions after contact with blood or bodily fluid

Wash the area and report it.

label information

Name, room number/address, specimen type; label must not be placed only on the lid.

reason for using first void urine

It is more concentrated.

urine amount for specimen container

4 oz; around 120 ml.

clean-catch urine specimen

Clean genital area and collect urine mid-stream.

urine collection amount (clean-catch)

30-60 ml (1-2 fluid oz).

24-hour urine specimen

Urine produced in a full day collected to check kidney function.

procedure for 24-hour urine collection

Begin on second void, collect all voids through to the first void of the next day.

storage for 24-hour urine specimen

On ice; if at home, in the fridge.

pediatric collection bag

Clear bag with a skin-adhesive backing for urine collection.

method for 24-hour urine specimen in pediatrics

Wee bag with a tube draining into a container.

checking frequency during pediatric collection

Every 10-15 minutes.

reason for straining urine

To find kidney stones.

who is at risk for kidney stones

Caucasian males between 20-40 years old.

post-passing kidney stones

Sent to a lab for examination.

urinalysis

The analysis of urine.

CLIA-waived urinalysis tests

Physical urinalysis.

four areas of physical assessment in urinalysis

Color, odor, clarity, specific gravity.

pale urine meaning

Diluted urine.

dark yellow or orange urine meaning

Concentrated urine.

brown urine meaning

Possible jaundice or hepatitis.

cloudy red urine meaning

Hematuria.

clear red urine meaning

Presence of hemoglobin.

ammonia odor in urine meaning

Specimen is old.

foul or putrid urine odor meaning

Presence of bacteria or infection.

sweet or fruity urine odor meaning

Diabetes or presence of ketones.

cloudy or milky urine indicates

Presence of mucus or pus.

specific gravity in urine

Measures the concentration of urine.

specific gravity range for normal urine

Between 1.003 and 1.035.

increased specific gravity indicates

Diabetes or dehydration.

decreased specific gravity indicates

Kidney disease or high fluid intake.

common chemical testing method for urine

Use of reagent strips.

how to use reagent strips

Dip into urine, pull out, and let dry before reading.

substances tested by reagent strips

Glucose or blood.

normal urine pH range

Between 5.5 and 8.

bilirubin significance

Indicates liver disease or bile duct obstruction.

urobilinogen significance

Large amounts may indicate heart, spleen, or liver disease.

glucose in urine indicates

Kidney disease or diabetes.

ketones in urine indicate

Diabetes, starvation, or high-fat diet.

protein in urine indicates

Kidney disease.

blood in urine indicates

Internal injury, infection, or urinary tract infection.

ideal temperature for urinalysis

Body temp/fresh (not cold).

hormone detected by urine pregnancy tests

hCG.

hCG detection window in urine

6-12 days after conception.

symbols indicating pregnancy

• or positive signs.

preferred urine for pregnancy test

First morning void, as it's the most concentrated.

reason for stool specimen collection

To test for anything abnormal.

stool sample collection method (non-ambulatory)

Using a bedpan.

stool sample collection method (ambulatory)

Using a 'hat' in the toilet.

stool sample collection method (infants)

Collected from the diaper.

amount of stool needed for sampling

2 tablespoons.

specimens examined for

Ova, parasites, blood, lipids, microorganisms.

occult blood definition

Blood from the intestinal tract; may indicate colon cancer.

time for test results

1-2 minutes.

occult blood color indicator

Purple or blue.

throat culture infection types

Used to detect strep and flu.

culturette

A large swab for cultures.

sputum definition

Mucus expelled from the respiratory system.

sputum culture purpose

Identify microorganisms in the respiratory system.

conditions diagnosed by sputum culture

Pneumonia, bronchitis, lung cancer.

sputum collection method

Deep cough or suction.

amount of sputum to collect

1-2 tablespoons.