What should be checked immediately after collecting a urine specimen?

The immediate check after collecting a urine specimen is the temperature, especially in contexts such as drug testing. The temperature of the urine is a critical parameter because it helps confirm the specimen's validity. It should typically be tested within a few minutes of collection to ensure it is within the normal human body temperature range (approximately 32 to 38 degrees Celsius). This check helps to identify any potential tampering or substitutions, which may indicate that the specimen is not genuine or has been altered.

While other factors like pH level, specific gravity, and clarity are important for evaluating urine, they are generally measured later in the laboratory processing stage. The temperature, on the other hand, is an immediate indicator of whether the specimen is fresh and has been collected directly from the body. This prompt assessment is fundamental in settings where the authenticity of the specimen is vital, such as in clinical testing and drug screenings.