Urineopname

Urineopname is the process of collecting a urine specimen for diagnostic, monitoring, or research purposes. In English-language medical contexts, this is commonly described as urine sampling or urine collection. The method chosen depends on the clinical question and may affect test results.

Common collection methods include random (spot) samples, first-morning samples, clean-catch midstream samples, catheterized samples, suprapubic aspirates, and 24-hour urine collections. Each method serves different goals, such as detecting infections, measuring excretion over time, or assessing renal function.

Procedures and quality control are essential to obtaining reliable results. Patients are typically instructed to cleanse the genital area, collect the urine midstream when performing a clean-catch sample, use a clean container, and label the specimen with date and time. For some tests, samples may need refrigeration and timely transport. In 24-hour collections, the patient voids once to start the collection, collects all urine for 24 hours, keeps it cooled or preservative-treated, and completes the process with a final void.

Analyses performed on urine can include urinalysis (physical, chemical, and microscopic examination), chemical tests (glucose, protein, ketones, pH, specific gravity), culture for infection, and, in some cases, drug testing or metabolic screening. Limitations include contamination, improper collection, hydration status, timing, and medications that can alter results.

See also: urinalysis, kidney function tests, urinary tract infection testing. The term opname reflects the Dutch-language origin of the concept, referring to the collection or uptake of urine for examination.