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

What is the preferred specimen type in sports drug testing?

1. Saliva

2. Blood

3. Urine

4. Hair

The correct answer is: Urine

The preferred specimen type in sports drug testing is urine. Urine testing is widely used because it is non-invasive, easy to collect, and can detect a variety of substances that athletes might use to enhance performance. Additionally, urine tests have established detection windows for many drugs, making them effective for identifying recent drug use. Urine samples are also advantageous due to their ability to be tested for multiple markers at once, which is important in a sports context where different substances may be abused for performance enhancement. Furthermore, the procedures for urine collection and handling are well standardized, which contributes to the reliability and validity of the tests. In contrast, while blood testing can provide accurate and timely information about drug levels, it is more invasive and requires specialized handling. Saliva testing is also becoming more popular due to its non-invasive nature, but it generally has a narrower detection window for some substances compared to urine. Hair testing, while useful for long-term detection of drug use, is less practical in the immediate context of sports competitions and cannot effectively measure the presence of substances used shortly before a competition. Thus, urine remains the preferred option for its overall utility and effectiveness in maintaining the integrity of sports competitions.