TYPES OF SPECIMEN

• Some tests can be performed on more than one type of sample.
• Glucose testing can be performed on both blood and urine samples.
• However, the sample used for testing is often determined by the purpose of the particular test: a blood glucose test is used to help diagnose diabetes and monitor blood glucose levels in diabetics while urine glucose is one of the substances tested when a urinalysis is performed, such as when a urinary tract infection or kidney disorder is suspected.
• Sometimes there are options for the type of sample, such as with HIV antibody testing (blood, urine, and oral fluid screening tests are available), and in other situations, one particular type of sample is required.
• Semen

  • Male patients ejaculate into a specimen container.
• 2-5 days

  • Abstinence of Semen
• A semen analysis required mostly:

  • To test male infertility in couples who are unable to conceive.
  • To confirm the success of a vasectomy by checking for sperms in semen.
• Semen analysis procedure

  • A semen analysis procedure involves a pre-preparation of the patient in the following ways:
  • Abstain from sex and masturbation for 2 to 5 days before the test Avoid consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and drugs for 2 to 5 days before the test
  • Avoid taking herbal supplements or hormone medications
  • Do not use any lubricant while taking the sample of your semen
• Complete parameters

  • Liquefaction time
  • Volume
  • Colour
  • pH
  • Odour
  • Viscosity
  • Motility
  • Viability
  • Morphology
  • Count
  • Fructose content
• Sputum

  • Patients are instructed to cough up, from as far down in the lungs as possible.
  • This is best accomplished first thing in the morning before eating or drinking, by taking several deep breaths before expectorating into the collection cup.
• Sputum

  • should be relatively thick and not as watery as seen when producing saliva.
• Sputum

  • Thick and Sticky
• Saliva

  • Thin and Watery
• 2 tests in Sputum

  • Acid Fast Baccilli Smear
  • Culture and Sensitivity
• Proper collection of Sputum

  • No mouthwash
  • Rinse with water
  • Breathe in, Breathe out
  • Cough up and spit sputum in tube
• Indicator of AFB Smear/Test

  • Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
• Stool

  • Patients usually collect this sample themselves during toileting.
• Stool Analysis

  • is a series of tests on stool (feces) samples for differential diagnosis of certain diseases of digestive system.
• Clinical significance of stool analysis:

  • Infections: Bacteria, parasites, fungi and virus.
  • Pancreas disorders: Inflammation
  • Malabsorption of nutrients: Fat
  • Colon Cancer: Occult blood
• Urine

  • Most urine specimens are collected by having the patient urinate into a container or receptacle.
• Vitamin C

  • Avoid taking this vitamin for urine/prior test in Urine.
• Types of Urine Specimen

  • Random
  • First Morning
  • Midstream clean catch
  • Catheterized
  • 24-Hours (Timed)
  • Drug-screening
• Random

  • Routine screening
• First Morning

  • Collected immediately on arising
• Midstream Clean Catch

  • Requires patient to cleanse the genital area
• Catheterized

  • Collected from a catheter passed into the bladder
• 24 hours (Timed)

  • Patient voids into the toilet and then begins timing
• Drug Screening

  • Strictly follow chain-of-custody form requirements
• 24 hours (timed)

  • Collects all urine during the designated period
• Catheterized

  • Bacterial cultures
• Midstream clean catch

  • Void first into the toilet, then collect specimen and finish voiding into the toilet
• First morning

  • Routine screening/confirmatory testing
• Random

  • May require confirmatory testing based on diet and exercise
• First Morning

  • Orthostatic proteinuria
• Midstream Clean catch

  • Bacterial cultures
• Catheterized

  • When a routine urinalysis and a culture are both ordered, perform the culture first
• 24 Hours (timed)

  • Collects all urine during the designated period
• First Morning

  • Pregnancy tests
• 24 Hours (Timed)

  • Patient voids into the toilet and then begins timing
• Saliva

  • This type of sample may be collected using a swab or, if a larger volume is needed for testing, patients may be instructed to expectorate into a container without generating sputum.