What should urine samples be returned to before analysis if they have been refrigerated?

Urine samples that have been refrigerated should be returned to ambient room temperature before analysis. This is important because many components in urine can be affected by cold temperatures. When urine samples are cold, certain biochemical reactions may be slowed down or inhibited, which can lead to inaccurate test results.

Returning the samples to room temperature ensures that the chemical and physical properties of the urine are consistent with those for which the tests were validated. Additionally, certain substances, such as proteins or cellular elements, may precipitate at lower temperatures and could dissolve or change when warmed up to room temperature, allowing for more accurate measurements and interpretations.

While other choices might suggest alterations in the physical state of the sample, they do not address the need for the sample’s temperature to be compatible with testing procedures, which is essential to obtain valid analytical results.