American Medical Technologist (AMT) Practice Exam

Which method is most appropriate for collecting a specimen suitable for culture and sensitivity testing of microbes?

1. Composite urine collection

2. Midstream clean-catch specimen

3. Random urine collection

4. Catheterized urine specimen

The correct answer is: Midstream clean-catch specimen

The midstream clean-catch specimen is the most appropriate method for collecting a urine specimen suitable for culture and sensitivity testing of microbes due to its ability to minimize contamination from the skin and external genitalia. This method involves cleaning the genital area before urination and collecting urine from the middle part of the stream, which helps ensure that the sample more accurately reflects the microbes present in the bladder rather than those that may be present in the urethra or on the skin. This technique is particularly important for culture and sensitivity tests, as it provides a sample that can give reliable results regarding urinary tract infections (UTIs) and the bacteria responsible, along with their sensitivities to antibiotics. The reduced risk of contamination makes it easier for laboratory professionals to identify the specific microorganism causing an infection and determine the most effective antibiotic treatment. Composite urine collection, while useful for other tests, may collect urine over a longer period and potentially introduce more variables and contaminants, making it less reliable for cultures. Random urine collections are also not ideal, as they do not control for timing or cleanliness, leading to a higher likelihood of contamination. A catheterized urine specimen, while providing a sterile method, is more invasive and might not be necessary for routine culture sampling in most scenarios, such