2.1 Identify the different types of specimens that may be obtained

This guide will help you answer 2.1 Identify the different types of specimens that may be obtained.

In health and social care settings, obtaining specimens is a routine part of assessing, diagnosing, and monitoring health conditions. A specimen is a small sample taken from a person’s body. This sample is sent to a laboratory, where professionals examine it for tests and analysis. Understanding the different types of specimens helps you follow correct procedures, support individuals respectfully, and work safely.

You must always be clear about why you are collecting a specimen, what is required, and how to do it correctly. Poor practice can lead to delays in diagnosis, harm to the person, and risk to everyone involved.

Reasons for Collecting Specimens

Collecting specimens is a key step in confirming someone’s health status. It helps:

• Diagnose infections or diseases
• Check how well treatments are working
• Identify any changes in health
• Monitor ongoing conditions
• Check for drugs, alcohol, or poisons in the body

Using the right technique and knowing the type needed avoids mistakes and ensures test results are accurate.

Blood Specimens

Blood specimens are among the most common samples. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients and removes waste products. It can show signs of illness, infection, or other health problems.

Types of Blood Specimens

• Venous blood: Taken from a vein, usually in the arm, with a needle. Used for most blood tests.
• Capillary blood: Taken from a finger, heel, or ear lobe using a lancet. Used for glucose tests or when only a small sample is needed.
• Arterial blood: Taken from an artery for tests like blood gases, which show how well the lungs are working.

Common Blood Tests

• Full blood count
• Blood glucose
• Liver and kidney function
• Blood cultures for infection
• Blood group and cross-match for transfusions

Blood samples are collected by trained staff using specific equipment and following infection control procedures. Labels must be checked, and the sample sent quickly to the laboratory.

Urine Specimens

Urine specimens help find infections, kidney problems, diabetes, and other health issues. Urine is a waste product from the kidneys.

Types of Urine Specimens

• Random specimen: Collected at any time. Often used for routine testing.
• Midstream specimen (MSU): Collected from the middle part of urination. This reduces contamination from skin or genital area, giving a more accurate result.
• First morning sample: Taken after waking up. Urine is more concentrated, useful for certain hormone or protein tests.
• Timed collection: Collected over a set period, such as 24 hours, to measure chemical levels.
• Clean-catch specimen: Similar to MSU but uses special cleaning before collection to avoid contamination.

Uses

• Detecting infection such as urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Checking kidney function
• Finding signs of diabetes
• Drug screening
• Pregnancy tests

Workers must follow privacy and dignity principles during collection. Proper labelling and immediate transport are important.

Faecal (Stool) Specimens

Faeces, or stool, is a waste product from the digestive system. Stool specimens help detect digestive conditions, infections, bleeding, or parasites.

Types of Faecal Specimens

• Spot sample: Collected from one bowel movement, usually in a sterile pot.
• Timed or 24-hour collection: Used when the lab needs to check for things like fat content over a full day.
• Occult blood test: Uses special cards or kits to detect hidden blood in faeces, which might suggest bowel disease or cancer.

Uses

• Identifying infections like salmonella, campylobacter, or parasites
• Checking for blood, which can signal bleeding in the gut
• Measuring fats or other chemicals
• Monitoring existing digestive conditions

Workers always wear gloves and use proper containers. Specimens must be labelled and sent promptly.

Sputum Specimens

Sputum is mucus coughed up from the lungs or airways. A sputum specimen is different from saliva, which comes from the mouth. These specimens help diagnose respiratory infections or conditions.

Types of Sputum Specimens

• Single specimen: Collected first thing in the morning, before eating or drinking.
• Three-day collection: Several samples collected over a few days help improve detection of infections, such as tuberculosis (TB).

Uses

• Diagnosing chest infections, pneumonia, or TB
• Finding cancer cells or unusual growth
• Checking for drug-resistant infections

Careful instruction is needed so the person gives a deep cough sample and not just saliva. Staff must use personal protective equipment (PPE) as sputum can be highly infectious.

Swab Specimens

Swabs collect small samples using a cotton-tipped stick. The specimen may come from the nose, throat, wound, or other areas.

Types of Swab Specimens

• Throat swab: Checks for bacteria like streptococcus in a sore throat.
• Nasal swab: Used for flu, COVID-19, or MRSA.
• Wound swab: Detects infection in broken skin.
• Genital swab: Screen for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Uses

• Finding infections and choosing the right antibiotic
• Tracking outbreaks of contagious diseases
• Screening for specific conditions like COVID-19

Swab procedure varies according to site. Use a sterile swab and avoid touching other surfaces.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Specimens

CSF is the clear fluid around the brain and spinal cord. It is collected by doctors using a needle in the lower back (lumbar puncture).

Uses

• Testing for meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord coverings)
• Diagnosing neurological diseases

Collection is very sterile as infection risk is high. Only trained clinical staff collect this sample.

Wound and Ulcer Specimens

Wounds or ulcers can get infected. A sample from a wound helps find the type of bacteria causing infection.

Methods

• Swab: Sample of pus or tissue from the wound surface.
• Tissue sample: Sometimes a small piece of tissue is needed if infection is deeper.

Staff wear gloves and use sterile technique. Poor collection leads to false results and may delay treatment.

Semen and Vaginal Specimens

These are used to check for infections or fertility problems.

Semen Specimens

• Collected to check male fertility or presence of infection.
• Person usually collects sample in a special container.

Vaginal Specimens

• Check for infection, such as thrush or bacterial vaginosis.
• Swabs are taken, sometimes by staff, sometimes by the person themselves.

These specimens require sensitivity and privacy.

Saliva Specimens

Saliva is the watery fluid in the mouth. It may be used to check for certain infections, hormones, or drugs.

Uses

• HIV screening
• Hormone tests
• Drug or alcohol screening

These samples are easy to collect. They can sometimes replace blood for people with needle phobia.

Hair and Nail Specimens

Hair or nail samples may detect drug use, poisoning, or heavy metals.

Uses

• Long-term drug use—hair can show substance use over months
• Detecting certain poisons, like arsenic
• Identifying fungal infections in nails

Collected by cutting a small sample. No pain is involved.

Other Specimen Types

There are some less common specimens you might see.

• Pleural fluid: Taken from around the lungs to check for infection or build-up
• Synovial fluid: Taken from joints to test for arthritis or infection
• Peritoneal fluid: Taken from the abdomen to check for infection or cancer
• Amniotic fluid: Collected in pregnancy to check the baby’s health

These samples are invasive and collected by medical doctors.

Handling and Labelling Specimens

Each type of specimen must be:

• Collected using the right technique to stop contamination
• Placed in the correct sterile container
• Labelled with the person’s details, date, time, and type of specimen
• Stored or sent according to instructions, sometimes on ice or using specific transport bags

Correct labelling avoids mix-ups and keeps people safe.

Infection Control and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

When collecting specimens, use standards to prevent infection. This means wearing gloves, washing hands, and sometimes using masks or aprons. Disposal of all waste, such as gloves and sample containers, follows local guidance.

Communication and Privacy

Some samples may cause embarrassment for the person. Explain the reason and method using plain English, and give privacy. Support the person’s dignity.

Final Thoughts

Understanding these specimen types lets you support accurate testing, treat infections sooner, and help people feel safe and respected during the process. Collecting specimens well is a key skill in your health and social care role. Always follow your organisation’s guidelines and only collect specimens if you are trained and allowed to do so.