nonurine

Nonurine is a nonstandard term used to refer to all bodily substances other than urine. It is not a formal medical category, but a descriptive label encountered in some clinical notes and research contexts to distinguish samples that are not urine from urine samples.

Common nonurine sample types include blood (serum and plasma), saliva, sweat, tears, cerebrospinal fluid, feces, vomit, breast milk, semen, gastric juice, bile, and mucus or sputum. Each type has distinct collection requirements and storage conditions, and protocols are typically tailored to the specific specimen.

Applications of nonurine samples span diagnostic testing, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, forensic science, and biomedical research. They enable measurement of metabolites, drugs, pathogens, hormones, proteins, and genetic material, among other analytes. In clinical practice, nonurine specimens are used when urine does not provide sufficient information or when multi-specimen analysis is needed for a comprehensive assessment.

Analytical methods vary by specimen and analyte. Common approaches include immunoassays, chromatography with mass spectrometry, nucleic acid amplification, and enzyme assays. Proper handling and labeling limit contamination and preserve analyte stability, ensuring reliable results.

Limitations include the lack of a unified standard for collection, handling, or interpretation across the wide range of nonurine materials. The term can be ambiguous, so it is important to specify the exact specimen type and context when documenting results or discussing findings.

See also: Urinalysis, Bodily fluids, Clinical laboratory science.