Which term describes the midstream urine collection procedure?

Which term describes the midstream urine collection procedure?

• A. Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)
• B. Clean Catch Specimen
• C. Diuresis
• D. Epispadias

Answer: (B)

Midstream urine collection is best described as a clean catch specimen. The goal is to minimize contamination from skin flora at the urethral opening, so the genital area is cleaned first, the patient starts urinating, and the sample is collected from the middle portion of the stream. This yields a more accurate urinalysis and culture result than collecting the initial urine, which can carry bacteria from the skin or urethra. The other terms refer to different things: a digital rectal examination is a rectal exam, not a urine collection method; diuresis means increased urine production; epispadias is a urethral opening abnormality. For a truly sterile sample, catheterization or suprapubic aspiration is used, but those are distinct from midstream collection.

Midstream urine collection is best described as a clean catch specimen. The goal is to minimize contamination from skin flora at the urethral opening, so the genital area is cleaned first, the patient starts urinating, and the sample is collected from the middle portion of the stream. This yields a more accurate urinalysis and culture result than collecting the initial urine, which can carry bacteria from the skin or urethra. The other terms refer to different things: a digital rectal examination is a rectal exam, not a urine collection method; diuresis means increased urine production; epispadias is a urethral opening abnormality. For a truly sterile sample, catheterization or suprapubic aspiration is used, but those are distinct from midstream collection.