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Specimen Collection Procedures & Chain of Custody Flashcards

7 cards from real CPC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. Which additive in a lavender-top (EDTA) tube is primarily used for hematology testing?

    Answer: Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)

    EDTA chelates calcium ions to prevent blood from clotting, making it ideal for hematology studies such as CBC.

  2. When collecting a urine specimen for a chain-of-custody drug screen, what is the minimum required volume typically specified?

    Answer: 30 mL

    Federal workplace drug testing guidelines require a minimum of 30 mL for a urine specimen to allow for split-sample testing.

  3. A collector notices the donor's urine temperature reads 94°F (34.4°C) immediately after collection. What is the correct action?

    Answer: Accept the specimen as valid

    Acceptable urine temperature range is 90–100°F (32–38°C), so 94°F falls within this range and the specimen should be accepted.

  4. What is the purpose of the 'split specimen' procedure in federal workplace drug testing?

    Answer: To allow the donor to request a retest of the same collection at a different lab

    The split specimen (Bottle B) is sealed and stored; if the donor challenges a positive result, Bottle B is sent to another certified lab for confirmation.

  5. Which of the following actions is REQUIRED before sealing a forensic urine specimen under chain of custody?

    Answer: Having the donor initial the tamper-evident seal over the bottle cap

    The donor must initial the tamper-evident seal in the collector's presence to establish the chain of custody and prevent tampering allegations.

  6. When performing a venipuncture, what is the correct order of draw when collecting both a gray-top and a green-top tube?

    Answer: Green-top first, then gray-top

    Per CLSI guidelines, lithium heparin (green) is drawn before sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate (gray) to prevent additive cross-contamination affecting glucose results.

  7. A chain-of-custody form must accompany a specimen throughout the entire testing process primarily to:

    Answer: Document every person who handled the specimen and maintain legal defensibility

    The chain-of-custody form creates an unbroken documentary record of all individuals who handled the specimen, which is essential for legal and evidentiary purposes.