CPC CPC Adulteration & Specimen Validity Testing 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is specimen validity testing (SVT) in the context of workplace drug testing?
- Laboratory testing to determine if a urine specimen has been adulterated, substituted, or diluted (Correct answer)
- A field test performed by the collector to verify specimen color and odor
- A secondary test performed at the collection site using a point-of-care device
- A medical examination conducted by the MRO to confirm a donor's test result
Correct answer: Laboratory testing to determine if a urine specimen has been adulterated, substituted, or diluted
SVT is conducted by the laboratory to detect attempts to cheat the drug test through adulteration, substitution, or dilution of the specimen.
Question 2: Which specimen characteristic can the collector observe at the point of collection to detect possible adulteration?
- Unusual color, clarity, or odor of the specimen (Correct answer)
- The specific gravity of the specimen using a refractometer
- The creatinine concentration of the specimen
- The presence of nitrites in the specimen
Correct answer: Unusual color, clarity, or odor of the specimen
Collectors can observe visual cues such as unusual color, cloudiness, or abnormal odor that may suggest adulteration, and must document these on the CCF.
Question 3: If a collector notices that a specimen has a blue color, what should they do?
- Note the unusual color on the CCF, complete the collection, and send the specimen to the laboratory (Correct answer)
- Discard the specimen and require an immediate re-collection
- Report the collection as a failed attempt and notify the MRO
- Dilute the specimen with water to restore a normal color
Correct answer: Note the unusual color on the CCF, complete the collection, and send the specimen to the laboratory
Unusual specimen color must be documented on the CCF as a remark, and the specimen is still sent to the laboratory for validity testing.
Question 4: What is a 'substituted' specimen in federal drug testing terminology?
- A specimen with creatinine below 2 mg/dL and specific gravity outside the range of 1.001 to 1.020 (Correct answer)
- A specimen that contains a masking agent to hide drug metabolites
- A specimen collected from the wrong individual by collector error
- A specimen that was stored improperly before reaching the laboratory
Correct answer: A specimen with creatinine below 2 mg/dL and specific gravity outside the range of 1.001 to 1.020
Under 49 CFR Part 40, a substituted specimen has creatinine less than 2 mg/dL and/or specific gravity outside 1.001–1.020, indicating it is not consistent with normal human urine.
Question 5: Which of the following substances is a common adulterant that some donors attempt to use to invalidate a drug test?
- Bleach or oxidizing agents introduced into the specimen cup (Correct answer)
- Excessive water consumed before arriving at the collection site
- Hand sanitizer applied before washing hands
- Caffeine consumed within 24 hours of the test
Correct answer: Bleach or oxidizing agents introduced into the specimen cup
Bleach and oxidizing agents are introduced into the specimen by the donor to destroy drug metabolites, and the laboratory's validity tests are designed to detect these substances.
Question 6: What is the primary role of the Medical Review Officer (MRO) when a specimen is reported as adulterated?
- To interview the donor for a legitimate medical explanation before reporting the result to the employer (Correct answer)
- To order a re-collection of the specimen at a different laboratory
- To contact the collection site to verify the chain of custody
- To automatically report the result as a positive drug test
Correct answer: To interview the donor for a legitimate medical explanation before reporting the result to the employer
The MRO must give the donor an opportunity to provide a legitimate medical explanation for an adulterated result before the result is reported to the employer.
CPC CPC Adulteration & Specimen Validity Testing 1
What is specimen validity testing (SVT) in the context of workplace drug testing?