NHA Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

What is the appropriate cleanser to use for cleaning the meatus prior to a clean catch urine specimen?

1. Iodine solution

2. Alcohol swab

3. Benzalkonium chloride

4. Hydrogen peroxide

The correct answer is: Benzalkonium chloride

The appropriate cleanser to use for cleaning the meatus prior to collecting a clean catch urine specimen is benzalkonium chloride. This antiseptic is effective in reducing the bacterial load at the site of collection, which is crucial for obtaining a clean catch specimen. By minimizing the presence of microorganisms, benzalkonium chloride helps ensure that the urine sample reflects the patient's own urine rather than contaminants that could skew results. Using an iodine solution might be effective for some procedures, but it can stain the urine and may lead to false positive results in laboratory tests, making it less suitable for this type of specimen collection. An alcohol swab is generally not recommended for this purpose either, as it may not adequately reduce the bacterial load and can cause discomfort. Hydrogen peroxide is not typically used for this purpose due to its potential irritant properties and questionable efficacy for pre-collection cleansing in this context. Therefore, benzalkonium chloride is favored for its effectiveness and safety in preparing the area prior to urine specimen collection.