College of Nursing

Collecting Stool Specimen

Instruction: Check on the column as to what level is the performance of the student in the following procedure. Be guided in the
scoring with the legend below.
4 Very satisfactory (Performed all the procedures correctly)
3 Satisfactory (Needs minimal assistance in performing the procedure)
2 Good (Needs more practice in performing the procedure)
1 Fair (inappropriate in the performance of the procedure)

STEP PROCEDURE 4 3 2 1
Check Physician’s order
1 Gather needed equipment :
a. Stool specimen container
b. Bed pan, urinal, specimen device or commode, kidney basin
c. Gloves
d. Laboratory request
e. Spatula
f. Culture tube with sterile swab stick
g. Label

2 Introduces self and verify client’s identity. Explain the procedure, its purpose and how the client can
cooperate.
Provides privacy and ask if they prefer to have a family or significant other with them during the
3 procedure.
Bring needed equipment at bedside.
4 Performs hand washing, dry well. Don gloves.
5 Assist to bathroom when necessary.
Instruct patient to defecate into commode, specimen device or bed pan to prevent urine from mixing
6
up with stool specimen.
For female patient, provide bed pan and kidney basin to get urine in the kidney basin and stool in the
7 bedpan.
Assist helpless patients.
8 For male client, provide bedpan and urinal.
Properly label the specimen container (name, date, time). Sends to laboratory in time along with the
9
requisition form.
10 Transfer stool specimen to container with the use of spatula and close lid.
11 Discard spatula in the waste bin.
12 For culture, specimen can be obtained with the help of sterile swab stick and swab into culture tube.
13 Remove gloves and wash hands.
14 Attach label, send to laboratory in time with requisition form.
15 Assist patient with hygiene, help client back to bed.
16 After care, hand washing and Documentation.

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Remarks:

Name / Signature of Student Name / Signature of RD Instructor