Dr. Winston Lewis’s patient, Annette Samuels, has come into the Inner City Health Care Clinic complaining of lower abdominal cramps and diarrhea. After discussion of her symptoms and a brief examination, Dr. Lewis’s clinical diagnosis is an intestinal parasite infection. She asks Gwen Carr, CMA (AAMA), to obtain a stool sample from the patient. The sample will be sent to an outside independent lab to see if the parasite or its eggs can be visualized. This is called an ova and parasite test or O&P. Gwen is sensitive to Ms. Samuels’s level of understanding as she gives her specific instructions on how to obtain the needed sample. She asks Ms. Samuels if she has questions and she has Annette repeat the instructions to be sure she understands them. When Ms. Samuels returns with the specimen, Gwen immediately labels it, and follows infection control protocol as she places it into a biohazard transport bag, then completes a lab requisition for the O&P test. Gwen reassures Ms. Samuels that the culture will take 24 to 48 hours, and responds honestly and diplomatically to Ms. Samuels’s needs, assuring her that the test results will accurately determine her best treatment. Gwen tells Ms. Samuels that she will contact her the next day when the initial report is received. Answer the following questions:

Can the O&P be completed in the office? Why or why not?
Is there a specific time of day the O&P should be completed?
What are the directions you as the MA would give to Ms. Samuels?