After the test Immediate post-test care None. Activity after test Resume taking any medications that were withheld before the test. Return to pretest activities right away. Time before test results available Time before results are reported to the doctor or patient varies from a few days to a week or more. Test results Test Values Test results are determined by culture of any organisms in the specimen.
Cultures require special equipment in the laboratory including an incubator.
Normal Values Normal intestinal bacteria. Suppression of normal bowel flora from anti-microbial therapy. Factors Affecting Results Taking these drugs may affect test results Antibiotics, especially broad spectrum. Other factors that may affect test results Failure to collect the specimen properly. Contamination of specimen with urine.