Ateneo de Zamboanga University

College of Nursing
NURSING SKILLS OUTPUT

Name: SHEERIN O. ISAHAC Week No. 1

Clinical Area: Date:

24-URINE COLLECTION

Definition
A 24-hour urine collection is a simple lab test that measures what’s in urine. The test is
used to check kidney function. A 24-hour urine collection is done by collecting urine in a special
container over a full 24-hour period. The container must be kept cool until the urine is returned
to the lab. Urine is made up of water and dissolved chemicals, such as sodium and potassium. It
also contains urea. This is made when protein breaks down. And it contains creatinine, which is
formed from muscle breakdown. Normally, urine contains certain amounts of these waste
products. It may be a sign of a certain disease or condition if these amounts are not within a
normal range. Or if other substances are present (JohnsHopkinsMedicine, n.d.).
Purposes
A 24-hour urine collection is noninvasive, the skin is not pierced. It is used to assess
kidney (renal) function and detects disease. It is often done to see how much creatinine clears
through the kidneys. A urinalysis (also known as a urine test) is a test that examines the visual,
chemical, and microscopic aspects of your urine. It can include a variety of tests that detect and
measure various compounds that pass through your urine using a single sample of urine.

Objectives

 Diagnose kidney and renal problems.

 Determine the measurement of protein, hormones, minerals, and other chemical
compounds.
Equipment

 Large, clean bottle with cap or stopper

 Measuring graduate
 Bedpan or urinal
 Refrigerated storage area
 Gloves

Procedure
 Before the Procedure:
1. Introduce yourself and verify the client’s identity. Explain to the client what you are
going to do, why it is necessary, and how the client can cooperate.
Rationale: Establishing rapport and providing complete information about the
procedure entails cooperation and provides reassurance to the patient.
2. Perform hand hygiene and observe other appropriate infection control procedures.
Rationale: Reduce the risk transmitting infection among patients and health care
providers.
3. Provide for client privacy by drawing curtains or closing the door to the room.
Rationale: Making sure that the patient feels safe and comfortable throughout the
procedure.
4. Label the bottle with patient identifying information, the date, and time the collection
begins and ends.

5. Instruct the patient to urinate, flush down the urine down the toilet when he gets up
in the morning.

6. Afterward, tell the patient to collect the rest of his urine in the special bottle for the
next 24 hours, storing it in a cool environment. It can be kept cool in the refrigerator
or on ice in a cooler.

7. Instruct the patient to drink adequate fluids during the collection period.

8. Emphasize proper hand hygiene before and after each collection. Record each
amount on the intake and output (I&O) sheet.

9. Exactly 24-hours after beginning the collection, ask the patient to void. This will
complete the specimen collection.

10. Instruct the patient to continue to keep the collection container refrigerated until
transfer to laboratory.

11. Send the bottle and laboratory request form to the lab.

Nursing Responsibilities
  Informed Consent. Obtain an informed consent properly signed.
 Get health history. Ask the patient about any recent illnesses or other medical
conditions and current medications being taken.
 Proper way of gathering specimen. For self-protection and to prevent the spread of
disease.

Illustration

© Photo by: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/24hour-urine-

collection

References
JohnsHopkinsMedicine. (n.d.). 24-Hour Urine Collection. Retrieved from Hopkins Medicine:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/24hour-urine-collection

____________________________________
Clinical Instructor