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How soon a specimen of something must reach the laboratory depends partly on the reason for which it is being sent to the laboratory, environmental conditions during storage and transit, and the stability of the substances the specimen consists of.

A urine specimen must be refrigerated during storage and transit and arrive in the lab within an hour or two. It cannot sit out because warmth will allow bacteria, if present, to begin to grow in numbers.

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What is a 24 hour urine specimen?

A 24-hour urine specimen is a collection of all urine produced over a 24-hour period. It is often used to measure various substances in the urine that can provide important diagnostic information about kidney function, hormone levels, or certain metabolic disorders. The collection must be properly stored and returned to the lab for analysis.


The specimen for an electron microscope is always?

coated with a thin layer of metal, such as gold or platinum, to improve conductivity and image quality. The specimen needs to be extremely thin to allow electrons to pass through and create a detailed image. The specimen must also be securely mounted to prevent movement during imaging.


Can you get a accerate reading from two week old urine?

It is difficult to get an accurate reading from urine that is two weeks old depending on the type of testing accomplished. In a 24 hour urine study, the urine must be fresh and refrigerated. Often, after a week, the urine will begin to grow bacteria colonies that obscure testing results.


What is the pH of urine?

A urine pH test measures the pH (acidity) of urine. Urine pH is used to classify urine as either a dilute acid or base solution. Seven is the point of neutrality on the pH scale. The lower the pH, the greater the acidity of a solution; the higher the pH, the greater the alkalinity. The glomerular filtrate of blood is usually acidified by the kidneys from a pH of approximately 7.4 to a pH of about 6 in the urine. Depending on the person's acid-base status, the pH of urine may range from 4.5 to 8. The kidneys maintain normal acid-base balance primarily through the reabsorption of sodium and the tubular secretion of hydrogen and ammonium ions. Urine becomes increasingly acidic as the amount of sodium and excess acid retained by the body increases. Alkaline urine, usually containing bicarbonate-carbonic acid buffer, is normally excreted when there is an excess of base or alkali in the body. Secretion of an acid or alkaline urine by the kidneys is one of the most important mechanisms the body uses to maintain a constant body pH. A highly acidic urine pH occurs in: * Acidosis * Uncontrolled diabetes * Diarrhea * Starvation and dehydration * Respiratory diseases in which carbon dioxide retention occurs and acidosis develops A highly alkaline urine occurs in: * Urinary tract obstruction * Pyloric obstruction * Salicylate intoxication * Renal tubular acidosis * Chronic renal failure * Respiratory diseases that involve hyperventilation (blowing off carbon dioxide and the development of alkalosis) In people who are not vegetarians, the pH of urine tends to be acidic. A diet rich in citrus fruits, legumes, and vegetables raises the pH and produces urine that is more alkaline. Most of the bacteria responsible for urinary tract infections make the urine more alkaline because the bacteria split urea into ammonia and other alkaline waste products. The urine pH varies in different types of acidosis and alkalosis. Control of pH is important in the management of several diseases, including bacteriuria, renal calculi, and drug therapy. The formation of renal stones is related to the urine pH. Patients being treated for renal calculi are frequently given diets or medications to change the pH of the urine so that kidney stones will not form. Calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, and magnesium phosphate stones develop in alkaline urine; when this occurs, the urine is kept acidic. Uric acid, cystine, and calcium oxalate stones precipitate in acidic urine; in this situation, the urine should be kept alkaline or less acidic than normal. Drugs such as streptomycin, neomycin, and kanamycin are effective in treating urinary tract infections if the urine is alkaline. During treatment with sulfa drugs, alkaline urine helps prevent formation of sulfonamide crystals. Here are important points to remember about urinary pH: * An accurate measurement of urinary pH can be done only on a freshly voided specimen. If urine must be kept for any length of time before analysis, it should be refrigerated. * During sleep, decreased pulmonary ventilation causes respiratory acidosis. As a result, a first waking urine specimen is usually highly acidic. * Bacteria causing a urinary tract infection or bacterial contamination will produce alkaline urine. * A diet rich in citrus fruits, most vegetables, and legumes will keep the urine alkaline. * A diet high in meat and cranberry juice will keep the urine acidic. * Urine pH is an important screening test for the diagnosis of renal disease, respiratory disease, and certain metabolic disorders. * If urine pH is to be useful, it is necessary to use pH information in comparison with other diagnostic information.


What does color pale straw in urine indicate in Urinalysis?

low quantity of water in the body --------------------------------------------------------------------------------->> Actually, straw and pale straw are the colors of normal urine. So if the urine color is different from these-- then there must be something wrong inside your body.

Related Questions

Can an employer watch you give a urine specimen?

Yes, and in some cases it's required--some transportation workers must, and all military members must be observed.


A 24hour urine specimen must be kept?

A 24-hour urine specimen must be kept cool to prevent the breakdown of substances and ensure accurate test results. It is typically stored in a refrigerator or on ice during the collection period. This helps maintain the integrity of the sample and prevents bacterial growth. Proper handling is essential for reliable analysis.


Can day old urine if kept in fridge over night and then brought upto the right tempiture will it pass?

Yes..it must be between 92-100 degrees fahrenheit when it is put into the specimen cup.


Why must a laboratory thermometer be left in place to take a reading?

A laboratory thermometer must be left in place to take a reading because the thermometer needs time to adjust and reach thermal equilibrium with the substance being measured. Moving the thermometer too soon can result in an inaccurate reading.


Why must the examination of urine be done on a 24 hour specimen?

The examination of urine using a 24-hour specimen is essential to accurately assess kidney function, metabolic disorders, and the excretion of substances that may vary significantly throughout the day. This approach captures all urine output within a 24-hour period, providing a comprehensive picture of renal function and allowing for more reliable measurement of substances like electrolytes, proteins, and hormones. It minimizes the variability and fluctuations that can occur with random urine samples, ensuring more precise diagnostic results.


Can you do dip stick urinalysis on urine samples that are in specimen bottles containing boric acid preservative?

number of substances can interfere with dipstick tests. Examples of these are provided below. Please note that the effect of these substances will vary according to the type of test strip used. Commonly performed dipstick tests include:


Why must you always use the low power lens when you are first focusing on a specimen?

It is supposed to help you center on the specimen.


How is potassium collected?

A sample is collected through the urine. The specimen collection is called a '24 hour' collection, according to this website. I hypothesize that this period of time is a gestation period to allow the potassium in the urine to either grow or 'collect'; however, one must ask how the potassium is stored for this period. In refrigeration, or room temperature?


What is a 24 hour urine specimen?

A 24-hour urine specimen is a collection of all urine produced over a 24-hour period. It is often used to measure various substances in the urine that can provide important diagnostic information about kidney function, hormone levels, or certain metabolic disorders. The collection must be properly stored and returned to the lab for analysis.


You accidentally flushed the toilet after your urine test?

Then you will be asked to repeat the test. Usually you must stay @ the testing site (they will provide water) until you can produce another specimen. If one is not produced it is considered a "failed or positive test." Don't flush.


Why must a laboratory thermometer be left in one place to take a reading?

A laboratory thermometer must be left in one place to take a reading because the mercury or alcohol inside the thermometer needs time to reach thermal equilibrium with the substance being measured. Moving the thermometer while taking a reading can disrupt this process and result in an inaccurate measurement.


How do you get child support to stop in NC?

The child must reach the age of eighteen.The child must reach the age of eighteen.The child must reach the age of eighteen.The child must reach the age of eighteen.