NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)Specimen HandlingMedium
A phlebotomy technician is preparing to process a urine specimen for a culture and sensitivity test. Which of the following is the most important consideration for this specimen?
- AProtect the specimen from light during transport.
- BTransport the specimen to the microbiology lab within 1 hour or refrigerate.
- CAdd a chemical preservative to the specimen immediately.
- DCentrifuge the specimen to concentrate the bacteria.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Transport the specimen to the microbiology lab within 1 hour or refrigerate.
Urine specimens for culture and sensitivity must be transported to the microbiology laboratory promptly (within 1 hour) or refrigerated (at 2-8°C) to inhibit bacterial growth. Delays or improper storage can lead to overgrowth of bacteria, resulting in false-positive or misleading results.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Light protection is not a primary concern for routine urine cultures.
- C. Chemical preservatives are sometimes used for 24-hour urine collections or specific analyses, but not typically for routine culture and sensitivity unless specified by the lab.
- D. Centrifugation is typically done in the lab for microscopic examination, not by the phlebotomy technician, and it's not the primary way to preserve the culture.
Urine Culture Stability
Urine specimens for culture and sensitivity must be transported to the lab within 1 hour or refrigerated at 2-8°C to prevent overgrowth of bacteria.
- Time-sensitive for accurate bacterial count.
- Refrigeration inhibits growth.
- Delays lead to false results.
Memory trick: Urine Culture: Rapid or Refrigerate.