What action should be taken if a donor’s urine sample has an unusual temperature?

The appropriate response to an unusual temperature reading in a donor’s urine sample is to collect a new sample immediately. This is crucial because the temperature of the urine is an important indicator of the sample's validity; it should typically be between 90°F and 100°F (32°C to 38°C) when measured at the time of collection. Unusual temperatures may suggest that the sample has been tampered with or that there is some other issue with its authenticity, which could compromise the integrity of the drug testing process.

By collecting a new sample right away, it ensures that the testing process remains reliable and truthful. This step is essential for maintaining the integrity of the drug testing procedures and for protecting the rights of the donor. It minimizes the risk of false positives or negatives that could arise from using an invalid sample.

The other options, while they might seem reasonable, do not adequately address the validity of the sample: ignoring the reading poses a risk of accepting tampered samples, documenting the reading without immediate further action may delay necessary follow-up, and relying on the donor’s cooperation does not address the technical discrepancies observed in the sample. Therefore, prompt action in collecting a new sample is the best practice in this scenario.