Certified Medical Assistant (CMA AAMA)Procedures, Examinations and DiagnosticsMedium
A urine specimen is collected for routine urinalysis but cannot be tested immediately. What is the correct next step to preserve specimen integrity?
- ARefrigerate the specimen if testing will be delayed beyond 1 hour
- BFreeze the specimen until it can be analyzed
- CAdd a few drops of bleach to prevent bacterial growth
- DLeave the specimen at room temperature for up to 4 hours
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Refrigerate the specimen if testing will be delayed beyond 1 hour
Urine specimens should be tested within one hour of collection or refrigerated at 2-8°C to slow bacterial growth and prevent changes in pH, glucose, and cellular elements. Room temperature storage beyond one hour leads to inaccurate results.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Freezing is not standard practice for routine urinalysis and can destroy cellular elements.
- C. Adding bleach or any chemical would contaminate the specimen and invalidate testing.
- D. Room temperature storage beyond one hour allows bacterial overgrowth and specimen degradation.
Urine Specimen Handling
Proper storage procedures for urine specimens to maintain accuracy of urinalysis results when testing is delayed.
- Test within 1 hour of collection or refrigerate
- Refrigeration slows bacterial growth and pH changes
- Delayed, unrefrigerated urine gives false results (e.g., increased pH, bacteria)
Memory trick: 'One hour or in the cooler' for urine samples