Nonblood Specimens: Collection and Handling (Urine, Stool, Swabs, and More)

A collection of vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on nonblood specimens, urine testing, stool testing, swabbing procedures, and related guidelines.

Amniotic fluid

Fluid surrounding the fetus in the uterus.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Synovial fluid

Fluid from the joints.

Pleural fluid

Fluid from the lining around the lungs.

Pericardial fluid

Fluid from the lining around the heart.

Peritoneal fluid

Fluid from the abdominal cavity.

PBT (Phlebotomy Technician)

A healthcare professional who may handle or transport certain nonblood specimens; many specimens are hand-delivered and not placed in automated systems; follow facility procedures.

Routine (random) urine specimen

Urine collected at any time for routine testing.

First-void urine specimen

The patient’s first urine in the morning; more concentrated than later samples.

Clean-catch (midstream) urine specimen

Urine collected after cleansing the genital area, capturing the middle portion to reduce contamination.

24-hour urine specimen

Urine collected for a full 24-hour period to analyze all urine produced.

Catheter urine specimen

Urine collected through a catheter inserted into the bladder via the urethra.

Suprapubic urine specimen

Urine collected by inserting a needle directly into the bladder through the abdomen.

Urine preservation/refrigeration

Urine should be tested within 1–2 hours or refrigerated; some samples require chemical preservatives and protection from light.

Reagent strip (dipstick)

A chemically treated strip dipped into urine; changes color to indicate various chemical properties.

Urine pH

Measurement of urine acidity/alkalinity; normal range roughly 4.6–8.0.

Urine glucose

Presence of glucose in urine; can indicate diabetes; sometimes assessed with a double-void for accuracy.

Urine ketones

Ketones in urine; can indicate fat metabolism due to low insulin access to sugar.

Blood in urine (occult)

Blood in urine; may be visible or occult (not visible) and detected by testing.

Nitrite (urine)

Indicator of urinary tract infection, produced by some bacteria.

Urine specific gravity

Measurement of urine density/concentration; reflects body water balance.

Creatinine clearance (urine test)

A kidney function test estimating how well creatinine is cleared from the blood using urine over time.

Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT)

Test to detect hidden blood in stool, which can indicate GI bleeding.

Fecal immunochemical test (FIT)

A stool test that uses antibodies to detect blood from the lower GI tract.

Stool guaiac test

Guaiac-based test for occult blood in stool; requires applying stool to test windows and may not indicate blood source.

72-hour stool collection

Stool collection over a set period (e.g., 72 hours) for certain tests; must avoid contamination.

Buccal swab

Swab of the inside of the cheek used for genetic tests; collects cheek cells.

Throat swab

Swab of the tonsils/back of the throat to detect pathogens; can trigger gag reflex.

Anterior nasal specimen

Nasal swab collected just inside the nostril (about 1/2–3/4 inch).

Mid-turbinate nasal specimen

Nasal swab collected less than 1 inch into the nostril.

Nasopharyngeal swab

Swab collected from the back of the nasal cavity up to 3–4 inches into the nose.

Nasopharyngeal aspirate

Aspirate obtained by flushing sterile saline into the nasal cavity and collecting; not typically performed by PBTs.

Sputum specimen

Mucus from the respiratory tract collected by coughing; used to diagnose pneumonia or tuberculosis; requires proper PPE.

Breath test (urea breath test)

Test for Helicobacter pylori where the patient exhales into a bag, drinks urea-containing liquid, and provides another breath sample later; fasting or avoiding antibiotics/food may be required.

Hair specimen

Hair sample used to detect chemical exposure or, for DNA testing when the root is included.

Fingernail specimen

Fingernails tested for chemical exposure; less common than hair.

Saliva specimen

Saliva collected to test hormones, drugs, or antibodies; collection methods vary.

Semen specimen

Semen collected for fertility testing or vasectomy verification; usually 2–5 days of no sexual activity; avoid using condoms; keep at body temperature and deliver within about an hour.

Vasectomy verification

Confirming vasectomy effectiveness via semen analysis.

Abstinence period before semen collection

A recommended 2–5 day period of no sexual activity before semen collection to maximize sperm quality.

Condom contamination warning

Condoms may contain lubricants or spermicides that contaminate or destroy semen samples; avoid using them for collection.

Scope of practice (PBT)

Guides what a PBT is allowed to do; follow facility protocols and refer questions to the provider.

Quality and handling in nonblood specimens

Following facility procedures to ensure accurate, safe collection and handling with professional, courteous patient care.