What must be done if a urine specimen temperature is outside the acceptable range?

When a urine specimen temperature is found to be outside the acceptable range, the appropriate action is to re-administer the test. The temperature of a urine specimen is a critical factor in ensuring its validity, as it can help determine whether the sample has been tampered with or is otherwise compromised. If the temperature falls outside the specified range (typically between 32°C and 38°C or approximately 90°F to 100°F), this indicates that the sample may not be a fresh specimen or that it may not have been collected properly.

In such situations, re-administration of the test ensures that a valid sample is obtained and that the integrity of the testing process is maintained. This approach aligns with standard procedures and protocols designed to uphold the reliability of drug testing.

Other actions, such as discarding the specimen or simply recording the temperature, would not adequately address the potential issues associated with a compromised sample. Sending the material for additional testing would not resolve the immediate concern regarding the validity of the specimen, as it does not address the need for a valid sample to begin with. Therefore, re-administering the test is the necessary course of action when the specimen temperature is not within the acceptable range.