SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimens are required for examination as an aid to diagnosis and a guide to
treatment. Commonly collected specimen by nurses include
- Urine
- Sputum
- Stool
- Throat swab
POINTS TO NOTE IN SPECIMEN COLLECTION
1) A sufficient quantity in the appropriate container should be collected
2) The specimen should be collected without contamination from outside
3) The part from which the specimen is obtained should be free from
contamination as possible
4) If the specimen is for bacteriological examination the container into
which it is placed must be sterile, this having been done by boiling or
autoclaving. Chemical disinfectant must never be used for this purpose.
5) The specimen must be sent to the lab accompanied by the appropriate
requisition form and clearly labelled with the following details:
- Name and date of birth of patient
- Ward and patient’s case number
- The date and time of taking the specimen
- The nature of the specimen
6) Specimen should be sent to the lab immediately
7) Specimen container should be tightly covered.
URINE SPECIMEN
Urine is a watery typically light yellowish (amber) fluid produced by the kidneys,
stored in the bladder and discharged through the urethra to the exterior. It is one
of the body’s chief means of eliminating excess water and salt. It also contains
nitrogen compounds such as urea and other waste substances removed from the
blood by the kidneys.
Composition of urine
- Water 96%
- Urea2%
- Inorganic salts
- Creatinine
- Ammonia
- Pigmented products of blood breakdown (Urochrome is one of what gives urine
its typical yellow color)
HOW TO COLLECT URINE SPECIMEN
A clean/sterile sample bottle can be used, depending on the type of investigation
prescribed. As part of the procedure for admission of a new patient, clean
specimen can be collected for side ward urinalysis. A laboratory investigation
requires a sterile container/a mid-stream specimen is needed.
TYPES OF URINE SAMPLES
- Mid-stream urine sample
- 24 hour urine sample
- Clean urine sample
- Catheter urine sample.
URINALYSIS
This is the analysis of urine. It is a very common test that can be performed in
many health institutions. It is done by collecting a urine sample from the patient
in a specimen bottle. About 30mls of urine may be required for urinalysis. It is a
simple test that can provide many useful information about various diseases
conditions. Some physicians refer to it as a “poor man’s kidney biopsy” as a
mirage of information can be obtained about the health of the kidney or either
internal diseases by this simple test. In urinalysis, the acronym “CASDORA” is
used.
Colour: normal urine color is Amber
Amount: average amount of urine produced per 24hrs is about 1100-1700 ml
Specific gravity: normal is about 1.005-1.020 (measured using a urometer)
Deposit : normal urine may not have any deposits. But some abnormal deposits
found in urine includes mucus, urates, phosphates, pus.
Odour: normal urine has a characteristic odour, but if abnormalities are
present , the odour caused by their presence can be distinctive for example
Acetone ( which can be due to diabetes) gives urine a sweet smell.
Reaction: this is tested usually in the ward by litmus paper. Urine is usually acid
in reaction, but it becomes alkaline when allowed to stand for some time.
Abnormalities: Urine is tested for the following abnormalities; protein, glucose,
ketone bodies, bilirubin and blood.
TERMS USED TO DESCRIBE URINE PROBLEMS
Anuria: absence of urine production in a given 24hr period or when urine
output is less than 50ml in a given 24hr period.
Dysuria: painful or difficult urination
Urine frequency: increased incidence of voiding
Glycosuria: presence of glucose in urine
Nocturia: awakening at night to urinate
Oliguria: diminished or reduced urine voided in a given 24hour period oe less
than 400ml
Proteinuria: protein in urine
Polyuria: excessive output of urine
Pyuria: pus in urine
Suppression: stopping of urine production, normally the adult kidney produce
urine continuously at the rate of 100-120ml/hr
Urgency: desire to void urine
Urinary incontinence: involuntary loss of urine