Urine to be screened for ketone bodies should be tested immediately or refrigerated in a closed container since acetone is lost to the air if the sample is left standing at room temperature for any length of time.

The Acetest® can be used for the semiquantitation of ketones in urine, serum, or whole blood, however the reaction times differ depending on the type of specimen tested. The same substances which interfere with the dipstick tests for ketones will also interfere with Acetest® because the same reaction is involved.