Blood

Blood is used in many tests. It can be checked in these ways:

• As a "whole"
• As the fluid left when red and white blood cells are removed (plasma)
• As a clear fluid that separates from blood when it clots (serum)

Blood is often drawn with a needle from a vein, often in the forearm. Sometimes the tip of the finger is pricked and then squeezed to draw blood.

Urine

Urine is also used for many tests. Urine samples can be collected by:

• Random method. The person urinates in a cup or larger container (if 24-hour collection).
• Clean catch specimen. The outer genital area has been cleaned before urinating in a cup.
• Sterile urine test. This needs catheterization. A tube is put into the urethra and goes to the bladder to get urine.

Sometimes a doctor will need you to do a timed test. This is to measure substances passed into the urine over several hours.

Sputum (phlegm)

Sputum can be coughed into a clean container. Sometimes it is removed with a suction catheter or a scope (bronchoscope).

Stool (feces)

Stool is often collected by the person in a clean cardboard or plastic container.

Other body fluids

Other body fluids collected for testing may include:

• Spinal fluid
• Pleural fluids. These fluids are around the lungs or in the space between the two membranes that surround the lungs (pleural cavity).
• Belly fluids
• Joint fluids
• Bone marrow