How are urine tests done?

Urine tests are typically performed by collecting a sample of urine in a sterile container. The patient may be instructed to provide a "clean catch" sample by first cleaning the genital area and then urinating a small amount before collecting the midstream urine. The collected sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis, where various tests can be conducted to assess factors like chemical composition, presence of substances, or signs of infection. Results are usually available within a few hours to a few days, depending on the type of test.