What is involved in the collection process for a random urine specimen?

The collection process for a random urine specimen typically involves collecting urine in a manner that minimizes contamination while being as straightforward as possible for the patient. Collecting in a small urine bowl and then transferring the specimen to a sterile cup is a suitable method, as it allows for a sufficient volume of urine to be obtained while ensuring the specimen can be handled properly and sealed for transport and analysis.

Using a small urine bowl first can help reduce the chances of contamination from skin or other external sources, as the urine can be collected in a controlled manner. Transferring the collected urine to a sterile cup ensures that any subsequent testing is done in a manner that maintains the specimen's integrity.

In contrast, methods such as clean-catch or midstream are more specific techniques that may be more appropriate for certain tests to obtain a more uncontaminated sample. The collection of urine timed to the hour does not apply to the random urine specimen collection as it suggests a methodology suited for timed specimens rather than random submissions. Therefore, the procedure that involves collecting in a small bowl and transferring to a sterile cup aligns with the requirements for ensuring a proper random urine specimen.