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

What should a laboratory do if a urine sample received for a routine drug test is insufficient in quantity?

1. Discard the urine sample and cancel the test

2. Store the sample for additional collection later

3. Notify the patient to provide a new sample

4. Analyze the sample regardless of volume

The correct answer is: Discard the urine sample and cancel the test

The most appropriate action when a urine sample received for a routine drug test is insufficient in quantity is to discard the urine sample and cancel the test. This is crucial because the integrity and reliability of the test results depend on having an adequate volume of urine for accurate analysis. Using a sample that does not meet the minimum volume required could lead to inconclusive results or incorrect interpretations, which could have significant implications, especially in clinical or legal contexts. Therefore, it's essential for laboratories to maintain strict protocols regarding sample integrity and quantity. While storing the sample for additional collection might sound practical, it is not standard practice for urine drug testing, as storing a sample can risk contamination or degradation over time. Notifying the patient to provide a new sample is a reasonable consideration, but it does not directly address the immediate need for sufficient sample volume at that moment. Analyzing the sample regardless of volume would compromise the quality of the test results and could result in unreliable findings. Thus, discarding the insufficient sample and cancelling the test safeguards the testing process and ensures accuracy in drug testing.