Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Practice Exam

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Which analysis requires the use of a 24-hour urine preservative?

  1. Cortisol

  2. Protein

  3. Creatinine clearance

  4. VMA

The correct answer is: VMA

The analysis that requires the use of a 24-hour urine preservative is associated with the measurement of Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA). VMA is a metabolite of catecholamines and is often assessed to evaluate conditions such as pheochromocytoma. The preservation of urine collected over 24 hours is critical for accurate measurement of its contents because certain substances, like catecholamines and their metabolites, can degrade or change composition if the urine is not properly preserved during collection. Using a preservative maintains the stability of VMA and other related metabolites, ensuring that the test results accurately reflect the physiological levels during the collection period. Therefore, the proper handling and preservation of the urine sample are essential in this context to avoid erroneous results that may lead to misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment planning.