24-hour urine test (boric acid)
Your doctor has requested that you have a test on a sample of urine collected over a 24-hour period.
The bottle used for this collection contains boric acid. Do not discard this—it is used as a preservative.
Safety precautions—boric acid additive
- The bottle provided for this collection contains 16g of boric acid, which acts as a preservative.
- If the boric acid comes into contact with your skin or clothing, wash the area thoroughly with water.
- If poisoning occurs contact a doctor or the Poison Information Centre (13 11 26).
- Keep out of reach of children.
Collecting your sample
It is important that the urine sample is completed over a 24-hour period. It is recommended that you start the collection process in the morning after you first rise. If you forget to use the bottle during the collection period, simply restart the collection. Contact the collection centre for advice if you cannot complete the collection for any reason.
- Label the collection bottle provided with your full name and date of birth.
- At the beginning of day one, empty your bladder into the toilet and mark the time in the space provided on the collection bottle.
- Over the next 24 hours collect all of your urine into the bottle. Each time you add urine to the bottle, mix gently with the acid—avoid contact with the skin.
- The last collection should be as near as possible to the time of the first discarded specimen on day one, and should include the urine you pass first thing on day two. Make sure that the start and finish date and time are clearly marked on the bottle.
- Place the request slip into the biohazard bag and attach the bag to the collection bottle—do not place over the label.
- Keep the collection bottle in a cool place during the collection period—refrigerate if possible. Return it to the laboratory or collection centre on the morning you finish the collection.
Contact your preferred collection centre or your referring doctor if you have any questions about collecting this sample.
Need more information?
Urinalysis: chemical examination at Lab Tests online.
QIS document number: 11249