Assisting With Specimens



Assisting With Specimens





Specimens (samples) are collected and tested to prevent, detect, and treat disease. Most specimens are tested in the laboratory. All specimens sent to the laboratory require requisition slips. The slip has the person’s identifying information and the test ordered. And the specimen container is labeled according to agency policy. Some tests are done at the bedside. When collecting specimens, follow the rules in Box 22-1.



See Promoting Safety and Comfort: Assisting With Specimens.




Urine Specimens


Urine specimens are collected for urine tests. Follow the rules in Box 22-1.


See Delegation Guidelines: Urine Specimens.


See Promoting Safety and Comfort: Urine Specimens.





image The Random Urine Specimen


The random urine specimen is used for routine urinalysis (UA). No special measures are needed. It is collected any time during a 24-hour period. Many people can collect the specimen themselves. Weak and very ill persons need help.


See procedure: Collecting a Random Urine Specimen, p. 358.



image Collecting a Random Urine Specimen




Pre-Procedure




1. Follow Delegation Guidelines: Urine Specimens, p. 357. See Promoting Safety and Comfort:



2. Practice hand hygiene.


3. Collect the following before going to the person’s room.



4. Arrange collected items in the person’s bathroom.


5. Practice hand hygiene.


6. Identify the person. Check the ID bracelet against the requisition slip. Also call the person by name.


7. Label the container in the person’s presence.


8. Put on gloves


9. Collect a graduate to measure output.


10. Provide for privacy.



Procedure






image The Midstream Specimen


The midstream specimen is also called a clean-voided specimen or clean-catch specimen. The perineal area is cleaned before collecting the specimen. This reduces the number of microbes in the urethral area. The person starts to void into a device. Then the person stops the urine stream, and a sterile specimen container is positioned. The person voids into the container until the specimen is obtained.


Stopping the urine stream is hard for many people. You may need to position and hold the specimen container in place after the person starts to void (Fig. 22-2).



See Focus on Communication: The Midstream Specimen.


See procedure: Collecting a Midstream Specimen.




image Collecting a Midstream Specimen image




Pre-Procedure




1. Follow Delegation Guidelines: Urine Specimens, p. 357. See Promoting Safety and Comfort:



2. Practice hand hygiene.


3. Collect the following before going to the person’s room.



4. Arrange your work area.


5. Practice hand hygiene.


6. Identify the person. Check the ID bracelet against the requisition slip. Also call the person by name.


7. Put on disposable gloves.


8. Collect the following.



9. Provide for privacy.



Procedure




10. Provide perineal care (Chapter 16). (Wear gloves for this step. Practice hand hygiene after removing and discarding them.)


11. Open the sterile kit.


12. Put on the sterile gloves.


13. Open the packet of towelettes.


14. Open the sterile specimen container. Do not touch the inside of the container or lid. Set the lid down so the inside is up.


15. For a female—clean the perineal area with towelettes.



16. For a male—clean the penis with towelettes.


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Nov 5, 2016 | Posted by in MEDICAL ASSISSTANT | Comments Off on Assisting With Specimens

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