When obtaining a sterile urine specimen from an indwelling urinary catheter the nurse should?

Safety

• Follow standard precautions when collecting specimens of blood or body fluids, as well as any additional protective isolation equipment.
• Properly label all specimens with the patient’s identification, date and time the specimen was obtained, the name of the test, and the source of the specimen.
• Deliver the specimen to the laboratory within the recommended time frame, or ensure that it is stored properly for later transport.

(Roll cursor over items to see labels)

Completed identification labels

Completed laboratory requisition

Small plastic biohazard bag (or container specified by agency) for delivery of specimen to laboratory

20 mL Luer-Lok for routine urinalysis (or 3 mL safety Luer-Lok syringe for culture)

Specimen container - nonsterile for routine urinalysis or sterile for culture

List

The skill of collecting urine specimens can be delegated to nursing assistive personnel (NAP). Be sure to inform NAP of the following:

• Indicate when to obtain the specimens. Explain that unclear urine, urine containing blood, urine with excessive sediment, or cloudy urine must be reported to you. 

Preparation

• Assess the patient’s or the family members’ understanding of the purpose of the test and the method of specimen collection.
• Assess the patient for signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI), including frequency, urgency, dysuria, hematuria, flank pain, fever, and cloudy, malodorous urine.
• Refer to your agency’s procedures for specimen collection.

Follow-up

• Assess the patient’s tests results.  
• Observe the urinary drainage system in the catheterized patient to ensure that it is intact and patent.

Documentation

• Record the collection of a specimen according to your agency’s policy.
• Note the method used to obtain the specimen; the date and time the specimen was collected; the type of test ordered; the appearance, odor, and color of the urine; and the disposition of the specimen to the laboratory.
• Report any abnormal findings to the health care provider.

10 July, 2017

This article, the second in a four-part series, describes the procedure for collecting a catheter specimen of urine

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