Urine Specimen Collection Procedure -Male, and female, infants in nursing. What is a urine specimen, Urine Specimen, and Culture, Urine Physical Appearance, Random Urine Sample, Midstream “clean-Catch” Urine Specimen

What is a urine specimen?

A urine specimen is a sample of urine that is collected from a person for medical or diagnostic purposes. The specimen can be used to perform a wide range of tests that can help diagnose various medical conditions and diseases, such as urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and diabetes.

Urine Specimen and Culture

A urinalysis (UA), also known as routine and microscopy (R&M), is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds that pass through the urine. It has been a useful tool for diagnosis since the earliest days of medicine. The color, density, and odor of urine can reveal much about the state of health of an individual.

Urine Physical Appearance

The physical appearance of urine can provide important information about a person’s health. Some of the characteristics of urine that can be assessed include:

1. Color

Normal urine color ranges from pale yellow to deep amber in color, depending on the concentration of the urine. The amount and kinds of waste in the urine make it lighter or darker. Pigments and other compounds in certain foods and medications may change the color of urine. Blood in the urine colors it; if the amount of blood in the urine is great, the urine will be red. During a flare-up of chronic nephritis, the small number of red blood cells present in the urine gives it a smoky appearance.

2. Odor

Urine normally doesn’t have a very strong smell. When urine stands, decomposition from bacterial activity gives it an ammonia-like odor. Consumption of certain foods, such as beets or asparagus can impart a characteristic odor to urine. UTI may also take on a foul-smelling odor. Refrigerate the urine sample if it is not to be examined at once.

3. Clarity

Normal urine is typically clear or slightly cloudy. However, if urine appears cloudy or has visible sediment, this may indicate the presence of bacteria, crystals, or other substances in the urine.

4. Volume

The normal amount of urine produced by an adult is typically between 800-2000 ml per day, depending on factors such as fluid intake and activity level.

Random Urine Sample

A random urine sample is a specimen of urine that is collected at any time, without regard to the timing of the last meal or beverage. It is one of the most commonly used methods for collecting urine samples in clinical settings and is often used to screen for various medical conditions or to monitor the effects of treatment.

Purpose – Random Urine Sample

This type of sample may be used to detect the presence of various substances in the urine at one particular point in the day. Often, no special handling is required with these samples.

Supplies and Equipment -Random Urine Sample

• Clean, dry container with lid
• Cotton ball or towelette
• Laboratory request form

Procedure -Random Urine Sample

1. Instruct the patient to use the cotton ball or towelette to clean the urethral area thoroughly to prevent external bacteria from entering the specimen.
2. Let the patient void into the container.
3. Label the specimen container with the patient identifying information, and send it to the lab immediately. A delay in examining the specimen may cause a false result when bacterial determinations are to be made.
4. Wash your hands and instruct the patient to do it as well.

5. Note that the sample was collected.

Midstream “clean-Catch” Urine Specimen

A midstream “clean-catch” urine specimen is a type of urine sample that is collected to reduce the risk of contamination from bacteria normally found on the skin and in the urethra. This type of specimen is often used for routine urinalysis, culture, and sensitivity testing.

Purpose -Midstream “clean-Catch” Urine Specimen

The clean-catch urine method is used to prevent germs from the penis or vagina from getting into a urine sample. It is a method of collecting a urine sample for various tests, including urinalysis, cytology, and urine culture.

Supplies and Equipment

• Sterile specimen cup
• Zephiran,
• a soap solution
• three antiseptic towelettes.
• Three cotton balls
• Laboratory request form

Preparation – Midstream “clean-Catch” Urine Specimen

Explain to the patient that this kind of urine collection involves first voiding approximately one-half of the urine into the toilet, urinal, or bedpan, then collecting a portion of midstream urine in a sterile container, and allowing the rest to be passed into the toilet. Discuss that this is done to detect the presence or absence of infecting organisms and, therefore, must be free from contaminating matter that may be present on the external genital areas.

Urine Specimen Collection Procedure

The urine specimen collection procedure can vary depending on the type of specimen required and the specific purpose of the test. Here are some general steps for urine specimen collection Procedure for male and female patients :

urine specimen collection Procedure for male patients

The urine specimen collection procedure for male patients as followed by a nurse is as follows:

1. Explain the procedure to the patient and answer any questions they may have.
2. Provide the patient with a sterile collection container and instruct them to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water.
3. If necessary, provide the patient with an antiseptic solution or wipes to clean the head of their penis. Instruct them to clean the entire head of the penis, including the opening (urethral meatus).
4. Ask the patient to start urinating into the toilet, allowing a small amount of urine to pass first.
5. When the urine flow is established, ask the patient to hold the collection container under the urine stream to collect a midstream portion of the urine.
6. Instruct the patient to avoid touching the inside of the container or the rim of the container with their fingers or penis to minimize the risk of contamination.
7. Once the appropriate amount of urine is collected (as specified by the healthcare provider), ask the patient to stop collecting the urine and finish urinating in the toilet.
8. Take the collection container from the patient, securely close the container and label it with the patient’s name, date of birth, and the date and time of the collection.
9. Thank the patient and instruct them to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water.
10. Send the collected specimen to the laboratory for analysis as soon as possible or within the specified timeframe.

urine specimen collection Procedure followed by nurses for female patients

The procedure for collecting a urine specimen from a female patient typically involves the following steps:

1. Explain the procedure to the patient: The nurse should explain the reason for collecting the urine specimen and the procedure for collection to the patient. This is an opportunity for the nurse to answer any questions or concerns the patient may have.
2. Wash hands and wear gloves: The nurse should wash their hands and put on gloves to prevent the spread of infection.
3. Provide a clean collection container: The nurse should provide the patient with a clean and sterile container for collecting the urine sample.
4. Position the patient: The patient should be positioned in a way that allows for easy access to the urinary meatus. This may involve having the patient sit on a toilet or bedpan, or lie on an exam table with their legs bent at the knees and spread apart.
5. Clean the genital area: The nurse should use an antiseptic wipe to clean the genital area, starting at the front and moving toward the back, to reduce the risk of contamination.
6. Begin urine stream: The patient should begin to urinate into the toilet or bedpan, then stop the flow of urine for a few seconds, and then resume urinating into the collection container. This is to ensure that the urine collected is from the bladder and not from the urethra.
7. Collect urine sample: The nurse should hold the collection container under the patient’s urine stream, making sure that the container does not touch the patient’s skin.
8. Label the sample: The nurse should label the sample container with the patient’s name, the date, and the time of collection.
9. Dispose of equipment and wash hands: The nurse should dispose of any equipment used for the collection of urine specimens and wash their hands.
10. The urine specimen should be transported to the laboratory as soon as possible to ensure accurate results.

urine specimen collection Procedure followed by a nurse for the infant

The urine specimen collection procedure for infant patients as followed by a nurse is as follows:

1. Gather necessary supplies: The nurse should gather a sterile urine collection bag, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, and a clean diaper.
2. Clean the genital area: The nurse should use an antiseptic wipe to clean the genital area, starting at the front and moving toward the back, to reduce the risk of contamination.
3. Apply the urine collection bag: The nurse should carefully apply the sterile urine collection bag over the infant’s genital area, making sure that the adhesive edges of the bag are securely attached to the skin around the genitals.
4. Wait for urine to collect: The nurse should wait for the infant to urinate into the collection bag. This may take some time, and the nurse may need to use gentle stimulation, such as gently rubbing the infant’s lower abdomen or providing warm water, to encourage urination.
5. Collect urine sample: Once the infant has urinated into the bag, the nurse should use a sterile syringe or transfer pipette to collect the urine from the bag and transfer it to a clean, sterile container.
6. Label the sample: The nurse should label the sample container with the infant’s name, the date, and the time of collection.
7. Dispose of equipment and wash hands: The nurse should dispose of any equipment used for the collection of urine specimens and wash their hands.