8. Specimen Suitability and Transportation

Question 1

A patient has been requested to collect a clean-catch urine sample, which will be transported to the main lab. Describe an appropriate container/preservative.

Answer 1

SIZE STERILITY
- 50 mL would be more than adequate to accommodate this specimen.
LEAK PROOF
- the container must be sterile and the patient must be given very detailed instructions so that he/she does not contaminate the container.
- screw cap or snap cap often used.
NON BREAKABLE
- plastic.
NO PRESERVATIVE
- if it cannot be transported and processed
immediately, the urine should be refrigerated.

Question 2

List four environmental conditions which may affect the integrity of a specimen and give an example of how a specimen might be affected

Answer 2

TEMPERATURE
- whole blood that is frozen will hemolyze.
- microorganisms will grow better at higher temperatures than at refrigerator or freezer temperatures.
LIGHT
- bilirubin will decompose if exposed to light.
VIBRATIONS
- whole blood will hemolyze.
- containers may break.
PRESSURE
- containers should withstand some decreases or increases in pressure especially if being transported by plane.

Question 3

How much absorbent material should be placed around a specimen being shipped?

Answer 3

Enough to cushion the specimen and absorb all of its contents if the specimen breaks.

Question 4

Match the risk group with the statements which follow.

I or II or III or IV

a) the most dangerous group
b) units of blood fall into this group
c) specimens positive for HIV
d) cultures of HIV
e) low individual and community risk
f) high individual and community risk
g) Ebola virus
h) high individual risk and low community risk
i) moderate individual risk and limited community risk
j) cultures of TB

Answer 4

a) IV
b) I
c) II
d) III
e) I
f) IV
g) IV
h) III
i) II
j) III