When processing a urine drug screen specimen, the phlebotomist checks the temperature of the specimen within 4 minutes of collection and notes that the temperature is below the acceptable range of 32.5°C to 37.7°C. This finding suggests that the specimen has been adulterated by the addition of:

Question

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The temperature of the urine specimen should be within the acceptable range of 32.5°C to 37.7°C at the time of collection. If the temperature is below this range, it suggests that the specimen may have been adulterated by the addition of cold tap water or water from the toilet bowl in the collection room, which would lower the temperature of the specimen. Adding warm water from the tap in the collection room would increase the temperature of the specimen, which is not the case in this scenario. Additionally, adding acid or alkali to the specimen would not affect its temperature.

When Processing a Urine Drug Screen Specimen, the Phlebotomist Checks