American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Histotechnician Certification Practice Exam

A specimen for urine cytology typically requires which type of sample?

1. First morning urine

2. Random urine

3. 24-hour urine collection

4. Midstream urine

The correct answer is: Random urine

The use of random urine samples for urine cytology is advantageous due to the ease of collection and the ability to obtain a representative sample of the urine present at the time of testing. This method allows for quick and convenient collection without the need for extensive preparation or timing requirements. First morning urine is typically more concentrated and may be useful for specific tests like pregnancy tests or certain biochemical analyses, but it may not provide as diverse a cell population for cytological assessment. A 24-hour urine collection, while comprehensive in terms of measuring specific substances over an entire day, is impractical for routine cytology as it involves significant patient compliance and logistical challenges. Midstream urine samples are more beneficial for microbiological cultures to minimize contamination, but they don't specifically align with the objective of evaluating cancer cells and other abnormalities present in a randomly collected sample. The choice of random urine reflects a practical approach to achieve reliable cytological results while accommodating the clinical setting.