Chapter 52: Specimen Collection

A child is admitted to a healthcare facility with acute diarrhea and vomiting. The nurse is required to collect a specimen of the client's urine for examination. The nurse knows that which value of urinary specific gravity indicates dehydration as a result of excessive fluid loss? a. 1.010 b. 1.020 c. 1.025 d. 1.015

c. 1.025

Write the correct sequence of the steps in collection of a urine specimen from a retention catheter. 1. Unclamp the catheter to allow free urinary flow 2. Draw urine from the aspiration port into a syringe 3. Explain the procedure to the client 4. Clamp the drainage tubing

3. Explain the procedure to the client 4. Clamp the drainage tubing 2. Draw urine from the aspiration port into a syringe 1. Unclamp the catheter to allow free urinary flow

A nurse is required to collect a 24-hour urine specimen from a client. Which does the nurse need to keep in mind? a. Collection of urine begins with the first voiding of the day b. The sample must be sent to the laboratory as it is collected c. Exposure to air might decompose the urine to ammonia d. Urine from each voiding is kept in a separate container

c. Exposure to air might decompose the urine to ammonia

Which of the following is used as a measure of one's nutritional and fluid balance? a. TPN b. IV c. I&O d. GI

c. I&O

What are the two most common tests done on stool specimens? What do they detect?

1. Guaiac - detects the presence of occult blood 2. O&P - detects the presence of eggs (ova) and parasites

What is understood by the term "specific gravity of urine"?

Concentration of urine compared to water

Clamp the drainage tubing

Guarantees collection of a fresh specimen

What is the purpose of obtaining a midstream urine specimen?

Obtaining a specimen with minimal external contamination without using a catheter

Draw urine using a sterile needle and syringe

Prevents contamination of the bladder

Cleanse the aspiration port with antiseptic

Prevents microorganisms from entering the catheter

Unclamp the retention catheter

Prevents urinary stasis by allowing free flow

A nurse is instructing a female client on how to obtain a clean-catch urine specimen. What instruction is most important in such a case? a. Clean the urethral area from front to back b. Void the first stream of urine into the container c. Wash the hands only after specimen collection d. Label the container after specimen collection

a. Clean the urethral area from front to back

A young adult client is admitted to a healthcare facility with complaints of chills and fever. The nurse is asked to collect a routine sample of the client's urine for investigation. Which nursing action would be correct? a. Instruct the client to collect a midstream specimen b. Store urine in the refrigerator before transport c. Clean perineal area in a back-to-front direction d. Collect urine specimen just before bedtime

a. Instruct the client to collect a midstream specimen

As part of the Standard Precautions for specimen collection, all specimens need to be placed in biohazard bags. Why is this done? a. To prevent risk of infection to the staff b. To prevent contamination of the specimen c. To prevent exposure to air d. To facilitate immediate transportation

a. To prevent risk of infection to the staff

A client is scheduled to have a sputum specimen collected. This client is most likely being tested for which condition? a. Tuberculosis b. Pregnancy c. Parasites d. Urinary tract infection

a. Tuberculosis

Venipuncture is often done on the inside surface of the forearm near the elbow, called the _______________.

antecubital

A stool specimen has to be collected from a client with normal bowel movements. The client has been asked to let the nurse know when there is an urge to have a bowel movement. What is the reason for this? a. Client will need to be assisted to the bathroom b. Client may not be able to move bowels on command c. Nurse may need to report to the primary care provider d. Nurse needs to give a purgative before collecting stool

b. Client may not be able to move bowels on command

A healthcare provider has ordered that urine specimens be collected from a client during various periods of the day to determine amounts and characteristics of her urine. Which type of specimen is this? a. Midstream urine specimen b. Fractional urine specimen c. Clean-catch urine specimen d. Single-voided urine specimen

b. Fractional urine specimen

A client has a possible diagnosis of renal failure. The nurse is ordered to maintain an intake and output record for the client. Which should the nurse consider as liquid intake? Select all that apply. a. Pastries b. Gelatin c. Ice cream d. Bananas e. Thin cereals

b. Gelatin c. Ice cream e. Thin cereals

A client with a gastric ulcer has been advised to have his stool examined for the presence of occult blood. Some foods may cause a false-positive guaiac test. Which food should the nurse tell the client to avoid? a. Pork b. Red meat c. Chicken d. Carrots

b. Red meat

A nurse is required to collect a sputum specimen from a client. Which should the nurse keep in mind? a. The specimen should be collected just before bedtime b. The client should expectorate directly into the container c. The specimen should be stored in the refrigerator d. The client should label the container before handing it over

b. The client should expectorate directly into the container

The urine-collecting bag should not be higher than the level of the __________.

bladder

The Hematest or Hemoccult brand method is used to test for occult _________ in the stool.

blood

A nurse has been asked to measure the volume and specific gravity of the urine of a client. Which standard precaution does the nurse need to adhere to? a. The beaker should be filled to about half its capacity b. The hydrometer should just touch the side of the beaker c. The beaker should be held at eye level to obtain the reading d. The reading should be obtained from the top of the meniscus

c. The beaker should be held at eye level to obtain the reading

Catheterization for collection of a urine specimen puts the client at risk for which of the following? a. Ova and parasites b. Occult blood c. Urinary tract infection d. Kidney failure

c. Urinary tract infection

Which device is used to measure the specific gravity of urine? a. Specimen hat b. Half-pan c. Urinometer d. Toilet hat

c. Urinometer

A nurse is instructing a 45-year-old male client about how to collect a midstream urine specimen. In what direction should he be instructed to cleanse the urethral area? a. Back to front direction b. Front to back direction c. Circular motion going inward d. Circular motion going outward

d. Circular motion going outward

A nurse is instructing a client on the steps needed to collect a clean-catch urine specimen. The required steps are given below in random order. Arrange the steps in the correct order. a. Hold the urine for some time b. Void the urine directly into the container c. Void a small amount of urine into the toilet d. Cleanse the urethral area with a wipe

d. Cleanse the urethral area with a wipe c. Void a small amount of urine into the toilet a. Hold the urine for some time b. Void the urine directly into the container

A client is being assessed for possible respiratory disorders. The nurse is asked to collect a sputum sample of the client for examination. The nurse should instruct the client to collect the specimen at what time? a. Early evening b. Before bedtime c. Late afternoon d. Early morning

d. Early morning

As part of data collection, a nurse is required to maintain an intake and output (I&O) record for each client. Which should the nurse keep in mind when maintaining the I&O record? a. Measure in units of deciliters (dL) b. Record total food and fluid intake of the client c. Keep records in the records room of the healthcare facility d. It provides a guide for decision-making about fluid administration

d. It provides a guide for decision-making about fluid administration

A nurse is required to collect a stool specimen from a client for a Hemoccult test. After realizing that the client has been taking high doses of vitamin C, the nurse advances the specimen collection to a later date. What is the possible reason for this? a. Stool color may be altered, making the test results unreliable b. Excess doses of vitamin C may cause bleeding in the intestine c. Stool might be of a watery consistency and unsuitable for the test d. Vitamin C reacts with the reagents to give a false-positive result

d. Vitamin C reacts with the reagents to give a false-positive result

During 24-hour fractional urine specimen collection, each new time slot begins with a/an ____________ bladder.

empty

Breathing ______________ air makes it easier for the client to expectorate.

humidified