Which specimen types must always be refrigerated?

The correct answer focuses on the need for refrigeration specifically for fresh feces and fresh urine, which is essential for preserving the integrity of the specimens for accurate analysis.

Fresh fecal specimens are prone to rapid degradation due to microbial activity and enzymatic processes that can alter their composition. Refrigeration slows down these processes, helping maintain the viability of organisms and the concentration of substances within the sample, which is crucial for tests related to gastrointestinal health.

Similarly, urine specimens can also undergo changes due to bacterial growth, oxidation, and evaporation if not preserved properly. Refrigeration helps prevent these changes, ensuring that analyses such as chemical composition, specific gravity, and microscopic evaluations remain valid.

Other specimen types may have different storage requirements based on their nature. For example, blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) typically have their own protocols regarding temperature and storage conditions, with some tests needing to remain at room temperature or require immediate processing. Stool specimens vary in their required handling and may not always need refrigeration, depending on the tests being performed. Eye swabs and tissue specimens also have specific handling guidelines that do not always involve refrigeration.

In summary, keeping fresh feces and fresh urine refrigerated is paramount to ensure accurate laboratory results and prevent the deterioration of these specimens prior