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Instructions to patients for preparation of pathological tests & collection of samples

Everybody wants accurate pathology test results but for this samples need to be collected properly, stored and transported in the correct method. Patients many times do not know how to prepare for various pathological tests and precautions to be taken for collection of samples and their timely transport to the laboratory. Doctors and their staff may be too busy to explain in detail. The patient often fails to understand about these aspects due to language problems and / or fail to remember all details. The results of many tests are affected due to this. And a lot of money, energy and time are wasted. Inaccurate test results can be responsible for ineffective treatment.

These are general guidelines. Your doctor may advise differently in special occasions.

Always follow your doctor’s directives.

Here are thirteen types of instructions for common pathological tests: In ENGLISH and HINDI.

SAMPLE COLLECTION GUIDELINES (other than blood)

URINE ROUTINE/COMPLETE, PREGNANCY TEST, TEST FOR JAUNDICE (BS.BP)

Preparation & Time

No need of fasting sample. 1st-morning sample is better. If not possible random sample.
FOR URINE MICROALBUMIN DO NOT GIVE 1 ST MORNING SAMPLE

Container

Clean and dry bottle, Minimum quantity 20 ml. DO NOT use oil or shampoo bottles.

Method

Clean genitals with water. Collect midstream sample.

Transportation

Bring to the lab within 2 hours. If delayed refrigerate.

24 HR URINE TEST

Preparation & Time

Start 1 day before test day. (Not on Saturday) No need of fasting sample.
Time: Start time to be noted ( 9 am)

Container

Use clean and dry plastic can/ bottle of suitable size (2 litres) containing a suitable preservative.

Method

Pass urine. DONOT collect this sample. After this collect all urine samples in the bottle/can till end time (Next day 9 am). You may collect urine in glass and pour it in the bottle immediately. Note End time- Next day 9 am. Must collect last urine sample in can/bottle.

Transportation

Bring a bottle to the lab. Within 2 hours.

URINE CULTURE COLONY COUNT

Preparation & Time

No need of fasting sample. Sample should be collected before antibiotics are started.

Container

STERILE/ Special bottle gave by the lab. Open only while collection.

Method

Genitals cleaned with warm water. Don’t use antiseptics. Collect midstream sample.

Transportation

Bring to the lab within 2-3 hours. If delayed, keep in the freeze.

ROUTINE STOOL

Preparation & Time

No need of fasting sample
Time: Random / sample in lab.

Container

Clean bottle of suitable size to hold beetle nut size sample.

Method

Collect sample- abnormal part-beetle nut size sample with plastic spoon/ wooden stick in a clean bottle.

Transportation

Bring to lab earliest/ within 2 hours.

SEMEN

Preparation & Time

No need of fasting sample. No intercourse for 4-8 days.
Time: The preferable sample is given in lab. in morning / by 1 pm.

Container

Clean and dry wide mouth bottle/ provided by lab of 15-20 ml capacity

Method

If not possible to collect in the lab. The sample may be collected at home by manipulation / coitus interrupts. Do not use a condom. Note the time of collection. Try to avoid spillage. Note and tell if some quantity is spilt out.

Transportation

Submit to lab within 1-2 hours.

SPUTUM AFB OR CULTURE

Preparation & Time

No need of fasting sample.
Time: Generally morning. No need of fasting.

Container

Provided by lab.

Method

Drink a glass of hot water to induce cough. Do not give saliva. Sputum which is coughed out from inside chest is a must. The sample may be collected 2-3 times till 2-5 ml quantity is obtained. The sample should NOT be collected in other container and transferred to the bottle.

Transportation

Submit to the lab within 1-2 hours.

SAMPLE COLLECTION GUIDELINES (for blood samples)

MOST BLOOD TESTS INCLUDING CBC, ESR, VDRL, GROUP,LFT, KFT ETC

Preparation & Time

No need of fasting. You can have a cup of tea/ coffee/ milk and light breakfast. Avoid heavy exercise and a hot bath.
Reach Lab between 8 AM to 10 AM. For malaria test try gives blood during fever.

LIPID PROFILE- CHOLESTEROL, HDL,LDL,TRIGLYCERIDES.

Preparation & Time

Have your usual diet 2 days before. No late night PARTY- No Alcohol, No heavy / fatty food. On the day of test NO Tea/ coffee/ milk /breakfast /food for 10-12 hours. Avoid medicines unless permitted by the doctor on the day of a test. You can have water. Avoid heavy exercise and the hot bath. No smoking/pan chewing. (Note : For only cholesterol test fasting is not essential.)
Reach the lab between 7 AM to 10 AM.

BLOOD SUGAR F & PP
(IF YOU DON’T KNOW YOU ARE DIABETIC OR NONDIABETIC)

Fasting

Have your usual diet 2 days before.

Preparation

No late nights, No Alcohol, No heavy / fatty food. NO Tea/ coffee/ milk /breakfast /food for 8 hours. Avoid medicines unless permitted by doctor on the day of test. You can have water. Avoid heavy exercise and hot bath. No smoking/pan chewing.

Timing

Reach Lab between 7 AM to 10 AM.

PP

Take full meals ( NO LIGHT BREAKFAST) at the usual time.

Preparation

No beverages/ food till P.P blood test. Note time of finishing lunch.

Time

Reach to lab 15 min before completion of 2 hours after noted time.

BLOOD SUGAR F & PP
IF YOU ARE DIABETIC

Fasting

6- 8 hours fasting. Avoid prolonged fasting.

Time

Reach Lab between 7 AM to 10 AM.

PP Preparation

MUST Continue your daily activities, medicines, breakfast at usual time as advised by your doctor. NO EXTRA SWEETS Note the time of finishing lunch. No smoking/ pan chewing. You can have water. No beverages/ food after lunch till P.P blood test.

Time

Reach to the lab 15 min before completion of 2 hours after noted time.

BLOOD FOR MEDICINE LEVELS AND PROTHROMBIN TIME TEST

Preparation & Time

Follow your doctor’s instructions perfectly. An especially timing of food, medication, time of giving the blood sample.

PATIENT GUIDELINES FOR PROCEDURES

FNAC, BONE MARROW

Preparation & Time

Take prior appointment. Take light food. Shaving of the area may be required. Carry all reports- blood tests, sonography, scan, x-ray etc. to the lab. Bring somebody to accompany.

PAP SMESR

Preparation & Time

Not during menses or during bleeding. Preferably done 15 days after periods are over. Delay if any vaginal medicines. Take prior appointment. Carry all reports to the lab