Collecting a sterile specimen

Assessment:
1. Determine how long catheter has been in place.
2. Observe any discharge or encrustation around urethral meatus. Assess for
complaints of pain or discomfort.
Planning: 
Prepare the materials needed.
3 mL syringe with 1inch needle (21-25 gauge) for culture or 20 mL syringe with 1inch
needle (21-25 gauge) for routine urinalysis
Metal clamp or rubber band
Alcohol, povidone-iodine, or other disinfectant swab
Specimen container: non-sterile for routine urinalysis, sterile for culture
Specimen label
Completed laboratory requisition with patient’s name, date and time of collection
Clean, disposable gloves
Implementation:
Criteria Rationale
1. Wash your hands. Wear gloves and Washing your hands and taking standard
follow standard precautions if contact with precautions prevent the spread of
blood or body fluids cannot be avoided. infections. (Carter, 2012)
2. Identify the person, and greet him or Identifying the person ensures that the
her by name. procedure is being done on the correct
patient or resident. Greeting the person
by name is being courteous. (Carter,
2012)
3. Explain the procedure and encourage Helps the person know what to expect
the person to participate as appropriate. and helps him understand how he can
help. (Carter, 2012)
4. Provide privacy by showing any visitor Asking visitors to leave the room, and
where they should wait, if necessary, until closing the door and curtain protects the
you have completed the procedure. Close person’s right to privacy. (Carter, 2012)
the door and the curtain.
5. Clamp the drainage tubing with clamp This ensures that the urine specimen is
or rubber band for 30 minutes. adequate. (Smith, 2011)
6. Return to room and inform patient that This promotes cooperation. (Perry, 2013)
the procedure to collect specimen from
 the catheter will begin.
7. Wash hands again or an alcohol and
don gloves.
8. Cleanse entry port for needle with
disinfectant swab.
9. Insert the needle at 30-degree angle
just above where the catheter is attached
to drainage tube or built-in sampling port.
10. Draw urine into 30 mL syringe for
culture or draw urine into 20 mL syringe
for urine urinalysis.
11. Transfer urine from syringe into
specimen container.
12. Place lid tightly on container.
13. Unclamp catheter and allow urine to
flow into drainage bag.
15. Send specimen to laboratory
immediately or place in specimen
refrigerator.
16. Dispose of soiled supplies and wash
hands.
Handwashing deters the spread of
microorganisms. Gloves protects the
nurse from exposure to microorganisms
in the urine. (Taylor, 2014)
This prevents the transmission of
microorganisms. (Taylor, 2014)
This facilitates sealing of the rubber in the
port following removal of the needle. This
allows urine to accumulate in the tubing.
(Smith, 2011)
This facilitates drainage of urine and
prevents the backflow of urine. (Taylor,
2014)
This reduces transmission of
microorganisms. (Perry, 2013)

Evaluation:
1. Check laboratory report for results.
2. Record collection of specimen on nurse’s notes; note time and date, appearance and
odor.