What is the main purpose of a midstream clean catch urine collection?

The main purpose of a midstream clean catch urine collection is indeed to avoid contaminants in the specimen. This collection method aims to obtain a urine sample that is as free from external contaminants as possible, which is crucial for accurate laboratory analysis.

In a midstream collection, the patient is instructed to clean the genital area to reduce the risk of bacteria and other substances from the skin or surrounding environment entering the sample. The patient then discards the initial portion of urine and collects the middle portion of the stream, which is believed to be less likely to contain contaminants. This method is particularly important for cultures or tests where the presence of bacteria, cells, or other substances could lead to inaccurate results, such as urinary tract infections.

The other options, while potentially related to urine tests in different contexts, do not accurately represent the primary goal of this specific collection method. For example, increasing urine volume is not relevant to the clean catch method itself, and maintaining urine temperature or testing for dehydration does not directly pertain to the purpose of avoiding contaminants in the collected specimen.