Different tests-why?

NurseJackie69 · Feb 11

For starters, different monitoring programs and labs name and label their tests different compared to other states. For example, Labcorp Option 2 in Nebrasks may be called "H" in Alabama, so it's important that you are specific to which program you are in, Affinity/Recovery Trek and which state. Option "H" could mean absolutely nothing to 90 percent of people reading this.

The reason they don't "test for everything" each time is for you not to have to pay 125 or 150 bucks each time. The more they test for, the more cost is incurred.

I recommend not paying ANY attention to ANY test codes from this point forward and here is why. If you are within guidelines, you have nothing to worry about. More important.......case managers do ADD ONs all of the time and you will Never know unless you test positive. Let's say you look up and figure out what is tested for in the test code. The assumption you are making is that "this is what's being tested for and nothing else outside of what is listed in the code is being tested for." That is a FALSE assumption. Your case manager commonly will add 1, 2, or 3 more individual drugs such as drugs like Benadryl, Neurontin, Salvia or K2, Spice, Ketamine, etc. This is why test codes mean Nothing because you are usually bring tested for MORE than what you think you are if going simply by the test code, and that is due to Add Ons that you will never know about...unless you test posotive.

Nursrcy00901 · Feb 11

Thank you! I appreciate not paying $125-150 each time! I have paid $80-90 each test now and that's already so much in this economy(I'm freshly back to work so money is a bit tight trying to play catch up)

I was honestly just curious how it all works. Mine is through the spectrum app!! I don't really care what they test because I know I'm clean. It is daunting to think about dilutes so I have gone as close to them opening as possible so it doesn't happen haha.

NurseJackie69 · Feb 11

Nursrcy00901 said:

Thank you! I appreciate not paying $125-150 each time! I have paid $80-90 each test now and that's already so much in this economy(I'm freshly back to work so money is a bit tight trying to play catch up)

I was honestly just curious how it all works. Mine is through the spectrum app!! I don't really care what they test because I know I'm clean. It is daunting to think about dilutes so I have gone as close to them opening as possible so it doesn't happen haha.

I wish you the best of luck. Sounds like you will do well. If a nurse has a 5 year program and averages 3 tests per month (I know, it varies by program and state) but let's say 3 per month on average for 5 years. 36x5= 180 times you will pee over 5 years. 180 times a human has to be perfect on not drinking too much fluids and getting a dilute. The mathematical odds of the human being (could be the Apostle Paul) not messing up at LEAST 1 time out of 180 are approaching ZERO. Your case manager and monitoring program KNOW this. I've used those very words to my case manager to reephmasize the point. When you put the number "180 times," in their heads, it redirects them to THINK. They think to themselves, "holy shi$, the odds are likely that few humans on earth can do 180 tests and not have at Least one dilute. You will hear of horror stories where a nurse chimes in on here and tells the story about how the monitoring program through the book at her for having a dilute. There are 500 nurses who had a dilute that didn't have a problem with their case manager compared for every 1 nurse that had a problem with their case manager. Don't let the one nurse who had a problem scare you. She's the Exception, not the Rule, and their is usually FAR more to the story than what you are being told with her.

Now, if you have 3 or 4 dilutea per year, they will have a problem. When you get a dilute (and you WILL get a dilute at some point) don't worry, tell the truth, and your case manager will verbally warn you and tell you to be careful and plan ahead. When it becomes a pattern is when it becomes a problem.

Important.....you can brace yourself for the outcome of a dilute urine right now....today. How? TALK to your case manager. Tell him or her you are worried sick about a dilute. Tell the person you just figured it up and it looks like you will have X amount of tests total in your program and that you are worried about the mathematical odds that are high that you will have a dilute and you are worried sick! What does the normal case manager with any kind of a heart pr even a gleam of empathy do and think? First, it reminds them about those mathematical odds and it shows him you are a worry wart. Worry wart means YOU CARE about your recovery and program and that will be his or her impression and thats a GOOD impression, so in 6 months or 2 years when you get the dilute, what is he or she likely to do after having these conversations with you about you being worried about dilutea? They are likely going to show COMPASSION and tell you to be careful.

For the nurse that gets a dilute and then the monitoring program decides to add on 6 months to their sentence, what is the usual background story? Usually (not always, but usually) the nurse had little interaction or a non-positive relationship with the case manager and was one that loved to argue and push the limits. Don't be that nurse. Call your case manager and tell them, "I'm worried shi$less" about a dilute. Call your case manager periodically before they call you and talk to them about how you are working on your recovery or how you are doing simply just calling to check in. It will make them think, "man, this girl is worried and taking this stuff seriously," and they LIKE that. It looks favorable on you. Unfortunately, many nurses don't take that approach. They REACT and don't PROACT.

Final tip if worried about a dilute that looks AWESOME for you. Test again he same day if you feel your urine is too dilute or looks way to clear. Test 3 hours later the same day or go to another site the same day and test there. Anyone can do that. Expensive and costly? Yep, it is, but you call your case manager the next day and tell them you were worried the first time you peed and thought your urine was too clear, so you tested TWICE! What will your case manager think? Think about how different that makes You compared to most nurses. That's called being Proactive. Your case manager will think, "dam$, this girl is going above and beyond. They LOVE to see stuff like that. It outs them as ease. Who wouod test twice for Gods sake? It clearly drives homenthe point that you arent teying to hide anything. It will set you up for success in the event you have a dilute, and you will have a dilute more than likely at some point. What you do BEFORE the event occurs (Proactive) greatly effects the outcome.