Definition
Collecting urine specimen for routine examination also known as a urinalysis is a fundamental diagnostic procedure used to assess kidney function, hydration status, and detect infections or metabolic disorders.
Purpose for Collecting urine specimen
To collect and measure the presence of abnormalities in urine, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, casts, pH, sugar, albumin, and specific gravity.
Types of Urine Specimens
| Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Random | Collected anytime; used for general screening |
| First Morning | Most concentrated; ideal for pregnancy tests, protein, or microscopic analysis |
| Midstream Clean-Catch | Reduces contamination; preferred for culture and sensitivity |
| 24-Hour Collection | Measures analytes over time (e.g., creatinine, cortisol) |
| Catheterized Specimen | Sterile sample when patient cannot void naturally |
Articles for Collecting urine specimen
- Clean, wide mouthed container.
- Bedpan or urinal.
- Appropriate laboratory forms.
- Soap and water.
- Laboratory requisition form.
- Clean gloves.
Procedure for Collecting urine specimen
| NURSING ACTIONS | RATIONALE | |
| 1. | Before procedure Check the physician’s order and nursing care plan. | Obtains specific instructions and information. |
| 2. | ldentify the patient. | Ensures that right procedure is performed for right patient. |
| 3. | Explain procedure to the patient with specific instructions about washing the genital area (skin around the urethral meatus) with soap and water and give the labeled container. | Washing the genital area prevents contamination of urine specimen. Label on the container must have the patient’s full name, ward, register number of the patient, type of test to be done and date. |
| 4. | During procedure Ask the patient to direct the first and last part of the urine stream into a urinal or toilet and to collect the middle part of the stream into the specimen container. | Collecting the midstream urine avoids contamination of the specimen with organisms normally present on the skin. Four ounces of urine (clean catch urine sample) is required for the test. |
| 5. | Have the patient place the specimen container in proper/ designated place. | |
| 6. | With gloved hand place the specimen container in a polythene bag. | Protects healthcare worker from possible exposure to microorganisms. |
| 7. | Send specimen to the laboratory with completed, signed laboratory form. | |
| 8. | After procedure Remove gloves and wash hands. | |
| 9. | Record the procedure in the nurse’s notes and other appropriate forms. |
Special Considerations
- It is preferable to collect morning specimens whenever possible.
- A clean-catch midstream urine specimen is collected to detect any urinary tract infection.
- Specimens collected from menstruating and postpartum patients should have the information included in the requisition form.
- Always cover specimen to prevent carbon dioxide from air diffusing into urine which will result in urine becoming alkaline and fostering bacterial growth.
REFERENCES
- Annamma Jacob, Rekha, Jhadav Sonali Tarachand: Clinical Nursing Procedures: The Art of Nursing Practice, 5th Edition, March 2023, Jaypee Publishers, ISBN-13: 978-9356961845 ISBN-10: 9356961840
- Omayalachi CON, Manual of Nursing Procedures and Practice, Vol 1, 3 Edition 2023, Published by Wolters Kluwer’s, ISBN: 978-9393553294
- Sandra Nettina, Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice, 11th Edition, January 2019, Published by Wolters Kluwer’s, ISBN-13:978-9388313285
- Adrianne Dill Linton, Medical-Surgical Nursing, 8th Edition, 2023, Elsevier Publications, ISBN: 978-0323826716
- Donna Ignatavicius, Medical-Surgical Nursing: Concepts for Clinical Judgment and Collaborative Care, 11th Edition ,2024, Elsevier Publications, ISBN: 978-0323878265
- Lewis’s Medical-Surgical Nursing, 12th Edition,2024, Elsevier Publications, ISBN: 978-0323789615
- AACN Essentials of Critical Care Nursing, 5th Ed. Sarah. Delgado, 2023, Published by American Association of Critical-Care Nurses ISBN: 978-1264269884.
- Ernstmeyer K, Christman E, editors. Nursing Fundamentals [Internet]. 2nd edition. Eau Claire (WI): Chippewa Valley Technical College; 2024. PART IV, NURSING PROCESS. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK610818/
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