Which element in urine is most likely to indicate sample contamination from the vaginal area?

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Multiple Choice

Which element in urine is most likely to indicate sample contamination from the vaginal area?

Contamination from vaginal secretions is best signaled by squamous epithelial cells in urine. These flat, irregular cells line the vagina and distal urethra, so when a clean-catch sample is contaminated, vaginal squamous cells readily enter the specimen. In a proper urine sample, only a few squamous cells should be present; many indicate that the sample may not reflect the urinary tract contents accurately. The other cell types come from different parts of the urinary tract or from infection/inflammation (RBCs from bleeding, WBCs from infection, transitional cells from the urothelium) and do not specifically point to vaginal contamination. If squamous cells are abundant, it’s a good idea to recollect the sample for a more reliable analysis.

Contamination from vaginal secretions is best signaled by squamous epithelial cells in urine. These flat, irregular cells line the vagina and distal urethra, so when a clean-catch sample is contaminated, vaginal squamous cells readily enter the specimen. In a proper urine sample, only a few squamous cells should be present; many indicate that the sample may not reflect the urinary tract contents accurately. The other cell types come from different parts of the urinary tract or from infection/inflammation (RBCs from bleeding, WBCs from infection, transitional cells from the urothelium) and do not specifically point to vaginal contamination. If squamous cells are abundant, it’s a good idea to recollect the sample for a more reliable analysis.

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