How to prepare for tests?

Blood Sample Collection for Laboratory Tests

Blood samples are best collected in the morning between 7:00 and 10:00 AM;
the levels of many enzymes and hormones in the blood depend on circadian rhythm, therefore blood for these tests is recommended to be collected before 10:00 AM;
8–12 hours before the scheduled blood collection, do not eat or drink coffee, tea, juice, or other beverages, except water;
1–2 days before blood collection, avoid very fatty, fried, or extremely sweet foods and do not consume alcohol;
do not smoke for at least 2 hours before blood collection. If a glucose tolerance test is performed, do not smoke throughout the entire test until the final blood sample is taken;
at least 24 hours before the test, avoid intense physical activity and sun exposure;
do not take medications that may affect the tested analytes before the test; inform your doctor about any medications you are taking;
it is recommended to perform tests before starting medication or at least 2 weeks after completing a treatment course (if possible);
before vitamin and trace element testing, refrain from taking vitamins and mineral supplements and from cosmetic procedures using such substances for at least 1–3 days;
if you are taking medications, the usual dose should be taken at the prescribed time after blood collection;
blood should be collected before other diagnostic or physiotherapy procedures, such as ultrasound, X-ray examinations, massage, water procedures, etc.;
in women, sex hormone levels depend on the menstrual cycle, therefore tests should be performed on the day prescribed by the doctor; blood tests during menstruation are not recommended;
before Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) and Free PSA tests, bowel instrumental examinations, exercise stress tests, physiotherapy procedures, or prostate biopsy should not be performed; sexual intercourse and cycling should be avoided for 2–3 days;
when testing for infections, it is important to consider the stage of infection and immune status. If results are doubtful, repeating the test after 3–5 days is recommended;
when repeating tests, it is recommended to collect blood at the same time of day;
avoid stress before blood sample collection;
upon arrival for blood collection, sit calmly for at least 10–15 minutes.

Blood collection (finger prick, venous blood):

Blood tests are the fastest and most effective way to assess the body’s condition and ongoing physiological processes, reflecting disorders, infections, diseases, genetic conditions, and more. The procedure is performed on an outpatient or inpatient basis. The duration depends on the number of samples required and usually takes about 10 minutes. The puncture site is covered with a plaster or compressed with a clean dressing.

Known possible complications at the puncture site include pain, bruising, bleeding, sudden swelling, infection, abscess formation, tissue necrosis, and vein inflammation.

Injections: intravenous infusions, injections into a vein and/or muscle and/or skin and/or subcutaneous tissue and/or mucosa:

Injectable medications are always prescribed by the treating physician based on the patient’s health condition. The injection site is selected according to the purpose of the procedure. Therefore, patients must follow the doctor’s instructions and ask any questions necessary to fully understand the procedure, its potential risks, and benefits. The patient must inform the doctor or nurse about any allergic or other reactions to medications and about any conditions that may affect the procedure. The duration of the procedure depends on the prescribed medication.

Known possible complications include redness, swelling, pain at the injection site, enlarged lymph nodes; allergic reactions to injected medications, fever, weakness, restlessness, severe hypersensitivity reactions; bruising, infection, or abscess at the injection site.

After blood sample collection and injections, it is recommended to:

Inform the nurse if you feel unwell or weak;
Remove the plaster or dressing from the puncture site after one hour;
Avoid lifting heavy objects, performing heavy work, or engaging in intense physical activity to prevent bleeding or bruising;
Follow hygiene rules to prevent infection;
Follow other instructions provided by the doctor or nurse.

General Urine Test, Urine Sediment Microscopy, and Microbiological Urine Testing

For microbiological testing, urine should be collected before starting antibiotic treatment;
24 hours before a general urine test, it is recommended not to take vitamin C supplements;
urine testing is not recommended for women during menstruation;
before the test, wash the external genital area using water only;
urine should be collected into a sterile urine container;
a midstream urine sample is required; morning urine is preferred, or after not urinating for 2–3 hours;
the sample must be identified by labeling the container with the patient’s name, surname, date of birth, and the date and time of sample collection;
samples must be delivered to the laboratory within 2 hours at room temperature; otherwise, store at +2 to +8 °C for no longer than 3 hours.

Microscopy of Female Genital Secretions and Cervical Oncocytology (Pap Smear)

Do not use intravaginal preparations or tampons and avoid sexual intercourse for at least 2 days before the test;
do not douche one day before the test;
do not urinate for at least 2–3 hours before the test;
the optimal time for genital secretion smear testing is days 18–21 of the menstrual cycle;
the optimal time for cervical oncocytology sampling is days 10–20 of the menstrual cycle;
samples must be delivered to the laboratory on the same day at room temperature.

Stool Tests

Stool cultures should be collected before starting antibiotic treatment;
stool tests should not be performed while taking antibiotics or anti-helminthic medications; testing is recommended at least 2 weeks after treatment;
during menstruation or bleeding from hemorrhoids, fecal occult blood testing should be postponed;
2–3 days before testing, avoid medications affecting stool formation (e.g., iron supplements, laxatives, suppositories);
3–4 days before fecal occult blood testing, avoid raw meat, fish, fresh fruits and vegetables containing peroxidase substances (e.g., apples, cauliflower, horseradish), and alcohol;
stool samples should be collected into a special stool container;
ensure that no water, urine, or foreign material enters the sample;
using the spatula provided in the container, collect samples from 4–5 different areas;
if mucus or blood is present, collect samples from those areas as well;
if worms are present in the stool, they should also be delivered to the laboratory with the sample;
a small amount (10–20 g or about one teaspoon) of stool is sufficient;
the sample must be identified with the patient’s name, surname, date of birth, and date and time of collection;
deliver the sample to the laboratory within 2 hours at room temperature; otherwise, store at +2 to +8 °C for no longer than 10 hours.

Pinworm Egg Test (Enterobius vermicularis)

Required materials: a microscope slide and transparent adhesive tape;
samples are collected in the morning before defecation (and before urination for women) and before personal hygiene;
the adhesive tape (2.5 cm wide and 7 cm long) is pressed against the anal area while holding the ends;
the tape is then attached to the microscope slide;
the slide must be labeled with the patient’s name, surname, and date of birth;
place the slide in a transport container or wrap it in a paper napkin;
deliver the sample to the laboratory within 24 hours at room temperature.

Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Tests

Patients should not have received antimicrobial treatment prior to testing;
testing is not recommended for women during menstruation;
avoid sexual intercourse for at least 24 hours before testing;
do not use intravaginal preparations for at least 2–3 days before testing;
for urine-based tests, a sterile urine container is used;
collect the first morning urine sample or the first portion after not urinating for 2–3 hours;
the sample must be labeled with the patient’s name, surname, date of birth, and date and time of collection;
store the sample at +2 to +8 °C until delivery and deliver it to the laboratory on the same day.

Sputum Test

Sputum should be collected before starting antimicrobial treatment;
the sample is collected into a universal sterile container;
the best time to collect sputum is in the morning before eating;
before sample collection, brush your teeth and rinse your mouth with water;
coughing may be stimulated by drinking warm fluids and/or using expectorants;
sputum should be coughed up and spat into the container, repeating several times;
material from the upper respiratory tract (saliva) is not suitable for testing;
the sample must be labeled with the patient’s name, surname, date of birth, and date and time of collection;
deliver the sample to the laboratory within 2 hours at room temperature.