Lewis's Medical Surgical Nursing in Canada, 5th Edition - Nursing Assessment: Urinary System Related

Review Lewis's Medical Surgical Nursing in Canada, 5th Edition - Nursing Assessment: Urinary System related questions and content

The health care provider orders a clean-catch urine specimen for culture and sensitivity testing for a patient with a suspected urinary tract infection (UTI). Which of the following actions should the nurse implement to obtain the specimen?

  • A. Teach the patient to clean the urethral area, void a small amount into the toilet, and then void into a sterile specimen cup.
  • B. Have the patient empty the bladder completely, and then obtain the next urine specimen that the patient is able to void.
  • C. Insert a short, small 'mini' catheter attached to a collecting container into the urethra and bladder to obtain the specimen.
  • D. Clean the area around the meatus with a povidone-iodine swab, and then have the patient void into a sterile container.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Teach the patient to clean the urethral area, void a small amount into the toilet, and then void into a sterile specimen cup best describes the technique for obtaining a clean-catch specimen. The answer beginning, 'insert a short, small, 'mini' catheter attached to a collecting container' describes a technique that would result in a sterile specimen, but a health care provider's order for a catheterized specimen would be required. Using povidone-iodine before obtaining the specimen is not necessary and might result in suppressing the growth of some bacteria. And the technique described in the answer beginning 'have the patient empty the bladder completely' would not result in a sterile specimen.