- Indications – 24 hours urinary protein, calcium, magnesium, creatinine, urea, amylase, potassium, sodium, uric acid, VMA, 5-HIAA and metanephrines.
- Some tests may need the addition of a preservative to the urine container.
- Containers and instructions for these tests are provided to the patient from the laboratory.
- The container with /without preservative is given to the patient/relative/nurse.
- The preservatives commonly used are 6N HCl for calcium, VMA, HIA and metanephrines.
- For urinary protein, magnesium, creatinine, urea, amylase, potassium, sodium and uric acid determination. No preservative is used but the urine sample has to be refrigerated 2–8 °C.
- Instruct the patient about the preservative and inform him/her not to discard the same.
- To start collection – Ask the patient to discard the first urine passed in the morning and note down the exact time (e.g., 7.00 am).
- From this time onwards collect all subsequent urine samples in the container provided. Collection should be continued till same time the next day (e.g., 7.00 am). This is the 24-hours urine sample.
- This sample should be sent to the laboratory within one hour of completion of urine collection.
- The 24-hour urine collection containers must be labeled with the patient’s name label; the test(s) requested; and the start and finish times of the collection.
