Final answer:
A clean-catch midstream urine specimen is collected by a specific technique to minimize contamination and is used for urinalysis or culture to diagnose diseases, such as urinary tract infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
The clean-catch midstream urine specimen is a method used to collect a urine sample for urinalysis or culture in a way that minimizes contamination from the skin's microbiota. This technique involves cleaning the genital area before urination and then collecting the urine 'midstream' in a sterile container, after discarding the first part of the stream. This method helps in diagnosing various conditions, including urinary tract infections, by analyzing the urine for abnormal substances or culturing it to identify any bacteria present.
During urinalysis, several factors are assessed, including the appearance and composition of the urine. If the initial screening tests such as leukocyte esterase (LE) or nitrite tests suggest an infection, a urine culture is performed on a clean-catch sample to confirm the diagnosis and to determine the most effective antibiotics for treatment.