What does specimen integrity ensure in drug testing?

• A. Authenticity and untampered status.
• B. Rapid result turnaround.
• C. Lower testing costs.
• D. Color or appearance of the specimen.

Answer: (A)

Maintaining specimen integrity means keeping the sample authentic and untampered from collection through analysis. In drug testing, this involves proper collection procedures, secure handling, tamper-evident seals, accurate labeling, a documented chain of custody, and appropriate storage and transport. These controls prevent substitution, dilution, adulteration, or other changes that could alter the test result, so the result truly reflects what the donor provided.

That’s why authenticity and untampered status is the best choice. Rapid turnaround, lower cost, or simply the color or appearance of the specimen don’t address whether the sample genuinely came from the right person and was preserved without modification, which is what specimen integrity is all about.