Urinalysis and Body Fluids 6th Edition by Majorie DiLorenzo, Susan Strasinger

Exercise 5

Describe the specimen collection and handling procedures for vaginal specimens and explain how deviations from the correct practice will affect test results.

Step 1 of 3

Vaginal specimen collections and handling procedures:

• During pelvic examinations, the vaginal secretions are collected by health care provider

• Specimen handling and transportation should be done in time

• Speculum is moistened using water to visualize vaginal fornices

• Vaginal walls and vaginal pool is scrubbed using sterile polyester-tipped swabs that provides epithelial cells and vaginal secretions

• Cotton swabs must be avoided as they are toxic to Neisseria gonorrhoeae

• Gross examination of vaginal secretion is done by health-care provider and he places the swab in tube consists of 0.5 to 1.0 mL of sterile physiologic saline

• Swab is twisted in saline to remove particulates

• Specimen is tested with pH paper prior to placing in saline

• The tube is sealed and delivered to laboratory