The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient with a Potential

The nurse is caring for a patient with a potential diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome and a prescription for a 24-hour urine collection. The patient asks the nurse why a 24-hour collection is needed rather than a one-time urine collection. The nurse correctly answers that 24-hour urine tests are more accurate in this situation because of which of the following?

A) Cortisol levels fluctuate through the day.
B) At least 2000 mL of urine is required to perform the test.
C) Predetermined urine specific gravity changes occur in the 24-hour period.
D) The 24-hour timeline reduces unwanted effects of medications excreted in the urine.