NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)Collection RoutineEasy
A phlebotomy technician is instructing a patient on how to collect a clean-catch midstream urine specimen. Which of the following instructions should the technician include to ensure proper collection?
- ACollect the first voided urine of the morning.
- BCleanse the genital area from back to front.
- CBegin voiding into the toilet, then collect the middle portion.
- DFill the collection cup completely to the brim.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Begin voiding into the toilet, then collect the middle portion.
The clean-catch midstream technique involves voiding the initial urine into the toilet to flush out bacteria from the urethra, then collecting the 'midstream' portion into a sterile cup to obtain a specimen free from external contamination.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. While a first-morning specimen is often preferred for concentration, the 'midstream' aspect is crucial for preventing contamination.
- B. For females, cleansing should always be from front to back to prevent introducing fecal bacteria into the urine sample.
- D. Overfilling the cup can lead to spillage and potential contamination; filling to a designated mark is usually sufficient.
Clean-Catch Midstream Urine
A urine collection method used to obtain a specimen that is free from external contamination, primarily used for urine cultures to diagnose urinary tract infections.
- Patient cleanses genital area before collection.
- Initial urine is voided into the toilet.
- Mid-portion of the urine stream is collected in a sterile cup.
- Minimizes bacteria from skin or urethra in the sample.
Memory trick: CLEAN Stream: Cleanse, Let Go, Enter Cup, Avoid Brim, Note Time.