Specimen Collection

Specimens A sample that is used for analysis in order to try to make a diagnosis. While collecting a specimen, behave professionally at all times Always wear gloves when collecting specimens Three types of urine specimens: routine, clean catch or 24 hour

Collecting a Routine Sample Resident will void into a bedpan, hat or urinal Ask resident not to put toilet paper in with the sample Help resident with perineal care and hand washing Take the bedpan, urinal or commode pail to the bathroom

Collecting a Routine Sample Pour urine into the specimen container Container should be at least half full Cover the specimen container with its lid and wipe the outside off with a paper towel Label the container with provided label Place container in a plastic bag

Urine Specimens Clean catch Also called midstream To determine presence of bacteria in the urine the first and last urine are not included in the sample

Collecting a Clean Catch Specimen Area around the meatus (opening of the urethra) has to be cleaned Females: use towlettes included in specimen kit separate the labia and wipe from front to back along one side. With a new towlette, wipe from front to back along the other side With a new towlette, wipe down the middle

Collecting a Clean Catch Specimen Males Clean the head of the penis using circular motions Change towlettes with each circular motion If the male is uncircumcised, hold back the foreskin while cleaning and continue to hold it back during urination Pull foreskin back down after collecting the specimen

Collecting a Clean Catch Specimen Have the resident urinate into a bedpan, urinal, etc and stop urinating before urination is complete Place specimen container under urine stream and have resident start urinating again Continue until container is half full and have resident finish voiding into the bedpan, urinal, etc. Cover container with lid, wipe the outside, label and place container in a plastic bag

Urine Specimens 24 hour urine Tests for certain chemicals and hormones by collecting all of the urine voided by a resident in a 24 hour period Usually begins in the morning and ends the next morning At the beginning of the 24 hour period, the resident must void and discard the first urine If any urine is discarded or improperly collected, collection must start all over again

Collecting a 24 hour urine After discarding the first morning urine, note the exact time. The collection will end at this time the next morning Label the specimen container with name, room # and dates and times of collection After the resident voids, empty the container into the specimen container. Container may be stored on ice to keep the specimen cool.

Resident with a catheter Collecting a sample from a resident wearing a catheter Allow nurse to collect sample from collection port Do NOT collect a urine sample from the drainage bag unless instructed to do so

Stool Specimen Stool is collected and tested for blood, pathogens and/or parasites (worms, amoebas) Use a bedpan, hat or bedside commode for collection Urine will ruin a stool specimen Tell resident to not put toilet paper in with the sample

Stool Specimen Using two tongue blades, put about 2 tablespoons of stool in the specimen container Close and label the specimen container Wrap the tongue blades with toilet paper and discard

Sputum Collection Sputum: thick mucus coughed up from the lungs (not saliva) Best time to collect the sample: early morning Have resident cough up sputum and spit it into the container Deep coughing Stand behind resident Wear PPE (gloves and mask)