Challenge Your Exam Readiness With Our Free Phlebotomy Practice Questions

First-morning urine is more concentrated, increasing hCG detectability in early pregnancy and reducing false negatives. Patients should be instructed to obtain a midstream clean-catch sample to limit contamination and to deliver the specimen promptly for testing; if delays are unavoidable, short-term refrigeration per lab policy helps preserve analyte stability without over-dilution. Option A ignores sensitivity concerns. Option C dilutes the specimen and can produce false negatives. Option D is unnecessary and may cause dehydration, which can paradoxically complicate collection. Clear labeling with date/time, proper storage, and adherence to kit instructions (including acceptable temperature range and timing) are critical. For quantitative confirmation or equivocal results, a serum hCG may be ordered. Educating patients on correct collection reduces recollects and supports reliable clinical decisions—key non-blood specimen competencies.