Phlebotomy Ch 13 Urine and other Nonblood Specimens Flashcards
Give some examples of non-blood specimen types?
Liquid and semiliquid substances produced by the body
In intracellular & interstitial spaces, organs, body cavities, & some joints
Body tissues, hair & nail clippings, breath samples
How should non-blood specimens be labeled?
- Should be labeled w. same ID info. as blood specimens (First name, last name. and PHIN)
- Labeling should include type and/or source of specimen
- Label should be applied to container, not lid, as lid is removed for testing
How should nonblood specimens be handled?
- Familiarity w. handling requirements is needed to protect integrity of specimen & ensure accurate test results
- All body substances are potentially infectious
- Standard precautions must be observed in handling them
Note: Reminder all human specimens are considered infections so remember to always use standard precautions when handling any specimens.
What are examples of non-blood POCT quality control practices?
Waived non instrumented POCT tests performed without instruments
Color reactions on reagent strip after dipping in urine
Daily external liquid quality control
Note: POCT- most are waived tests – easily read via colour reaction visually.
Most manufactures require daily external QC to be run to check on technique and accuracy of results. All control results must be recorded and reviewed for consistency and acceptability.
Why is urine frequently tested?
Urine:
- Most frequently analyzed nonblood body fluid
- Readily available, easy to collect, & inexpensive to test
- Its analysis can aid detecting many conditions and monitoring.
What are reasons for testing urine?
- Providing info. on many of body’s major metabolic functions
- Monitoring wellness
- Diagnosis & treatment of urinary tract infections
- Detection & monitoring of metabolic disease
- Determining effectiveness or complications of therapy
What can affect urine test results?
- Accurate results depend on collection method, container used, transport and handling and timeliness of testing
- Cellular elements decompose
- Bilirubin breaks down to biliverdin,
- And bacteria multiply leading to erroneous results
What do accurate urine test results depend on?
Accurate results depend on:
- Collection method
- Container used
- Specimen transportation & handling
- Timeliness of testing
What are the roles in collection of urine samples for a) inpatients b) outpatients?
Roles in collection
Inpatient collection typically handled by nurses
Outpatient collection often handled by phlebotomists
What mannerism is important to have while collecting urine specimens?
Must explain procedure w/o embarrassing patient
What are the different types of urine specimens?
Types of Urine Specimens
- Random: collected at any time
- First morning/8-hour: collected on waking after 8 hours sleep
- Fasting: second specimen voided after fasting (glucose monitoring)
- Timed: collected at specific times
a) 2-hour postprandial (2 hours after meal)
b) Double-voided (empty bladder, wait specified time, then collect specimen)
c) 24-hour (collection & pooling of all urine voided in 24 hours)
What issues can the first morning specimen have?
First morning – has high specific gravity (more concentrated) may contain formed elements such as cells and casts that would not be detected in a more dilute random specimen.
Which urine test is preferred by lab and which one is easier for patients?
Lab preferred: First morning.
Patients: Random generally more convenient.
What is the 2-hour postprandial (2 hours after meal) urine test used for?
Monitor insulin therapy patients with diabetes. Patients to void shortly before consuming a meal and another specimen 2 hours later.
What is the typical wait time for double-voided specimens and what is tested?
Double voided – emptying bladder then waiting (usually 30 minutes) to collect specimen – glucose and ketones.
What is the purpose of the 24 hrs collection of urine?
24 hr collection – quantitative analysis of analyte. Ex. Creatinine clearance
Some 24 hour collections require preservatives ex. 5-HIAA hydroxyindoleacetic acid.
Used to monitor type of tumor that produces serotonin
What kind of container and labelling is done on 24 hour specimens?
- Large clean wide mouth container that can hold a large volume
- Specimen must be labeled on container at the time given to the patient.
- Label must also state it’s a 24 hour urine
What is the procedure for a 24 hour urine specimen?
Void into toilet as usual on waking
Note time & date on label, place on container, begin timing
Collect all urine voided for next 24 hours
Refrigerate specimen throughout collection period (if required)
Collect urine before anticipated bowel movement, not after
Drink normal amount of fluid unless instructed otherwise
Void one last time at end of 24 hours
Seal container, place in cooler, transport to lab ASAP
What are the different collection methods for urine samples?
Urine Collection Methods
- Regular voided: patient voids into clean container
- Midstream: patient voids into toilet first, then container
- Midstream clean-catch: requires special cleaning of genital area before collection
- Catheterized: collected from sterile catheter inserted through urethra into bladder
- Suprapubic aspiration: collected by inserting needle directly into bladder & aspirating
- Pediatric: collected in plastic bag, for children not potty trained
How is a midstream sample collected?
Midstream – free of genital secretions, hair and bacteria. Initially patient void into toilet (getting rid of any contaminants). The container is brought into the the urine flow and sufficient urine is collected. The last of the urine flow is voided into the toilet.
How is a clean-catch urine sample collected?
Clean –Catch – collected in sterile container suitable for culture and sensitivity for microbiology.
Special cleaning See Procedure in 13-2
When is a catheterized urine sample taken?
Catheterized – from cath inserted through urethra into bladder
Collected when patient has trouble voiding or if patient is cathed for other reasons
Babies
Female to prevent vaginal contamination
Or bedridden patients
What are the requirements for a suprapubic aspiration urine sample?
Suprapubic aspiration – inserting needle into baldder
Specimen is transferred to a sterile container
Requires local anesthetic and performed by physician
Microbiology or cytology or uncontaminated samples of infants and young children
How is a pediatric urine sample taken?
Suprapubic aspiration – inserting needle into baldder
Specimen is transferred to a sterile container
Requires local anesthetic and performed by physician
Microbiology or cytology or uncontaminated samples of infants and young children
What is the purpose of the most requested urine test, a routine urinalysis (UA)?
Routine urinalysis (UA)
1. Most requested urine test
2. Screens for urinary & systemic disorders
3. Ordered as part of a physical or
during hospitalization
4. Includes physical, chemical, & microscopic analysis.
What are the sample requirements for routine urinalysis?
Avoid contamination by using midstream collection
Collect in clear, dry, chemically clean containers
May be kept at room temp. for up to 2 hours or refrigerated
Why are culture and sensitivity urine tests ordered?
Ordered for patients w. symptoms of urinary tract infection
What are the procedural steps for a culture and sensitivity urine test?
Place measured portion of urine on special nutrient medium that encourages growth of microorganisms
Incubate for 18 to 24 hours
Check it for growth
Identify any microorganisms that grow
If microorganism is identified, sensitivity test is performed to determine which antibiotics will be effective
What are the symptoms of a UTI?
UTI symptoms are frequent urge to urinate or pain or burning on urination
What type of specimen does a culture and sensitivity urine test require?
Requires midstream clean-catch collection in sterile container
Why are urine cytology studies performed?
Urine cytology studies: For detecting cancer, cytomegalovirus, & other diseases
How is a urine cytology study performed (list main steps)? What kind of specimen is required?
- Cells from lining of urinary tract are shed into urine
- A smear containing these cells is prepared from urinary sediment or filtrate
- Smear is stained by PAP method & examined under microscope for abnormal cells
- Examine specimen ASAP after collection or preserve in alcohol
Fresh clean-catch specimen is required
What is the Papanicolaou PAP method?
Good question.
What should be done if processing of a C&S specimen can’t be avoided?
Urine specimens for C&S and other microbiology tests should be transported to the lab and processed immediately. If a delay in transportation or processing is unavoidable, the specimen should be refrigerated or preserved
Why is urine ethanol/alcohol testing
performed?
Urine ethanol/alcohol testing
Imprecise for evaluating degree of intoxication
Why is Urine glucose & ketone testing
performed?
Urine glucose & ketone testing:
To screen for diabetes & monitor glucose & ketone levels in diabetics