Where should the 24-hour urine sample be stored during collection?

• A. On ice or refrigerated
• B. Room temperature
• C. In a warm incubator
• D. In a freezer

Answer: (A)

During a 24-hour urine collection, keep the urine on ice or in a refrigerated state. Lower temperatures slow down bacterial growth and chemical changes that can alter the levels of substances being measured, such as creatinine and electrolytes, helping ensure accurate results. Storing at room temperature allows these changes to occur, which can skew measurements. A warm incubator would accelerate these changes, and freezing is generally avoided because thawing can affect some analytes and cause precipitation. Refrigeration is the standard way to preserve sample integrity throughout the collection period.