Question

A nurse is obtaining a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity for a client who has manifestations of a urinary tract infection. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

a. collect the client's urine in a clean specimen container
b. instruct the client to initiate the flow of urine before collecting the specimen
c. obtain the client's first morning voiding on the following day
d. place the client's urine specimen in a container with a preservative

Answer 1

Collect the client's urine in a clean specimen container. The correct option is a.

Step-by-step explanation:

Obtaining a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity is a crucial step in identifying and treating urinary tract infections. The correct action is to collect the client's urine in a clean specimen container. This ensures that the sample is not contaminated, providing accurate results for culture and sensitivity testing. Using a clean container helps prevent false positives or negatives, allowing for appropriate diagnosis and treatment of the urinary tract infection.

In contrast, option b, instructing the client to initiate the flow of urine before collecting the specimen, may introduce external contaminants into the sample, compromising the accuracy of the results.

Option c, obtaining the client's first morning voiding on the following day, may delay the diagnostic process, especially if prompt intervention is necessary. Option d, placing the client's urine specimen in a container with a preservative, is not typically required for routine urine culture and sensitivity testing and may alter the sample characteristics.

In summary, collecting the client's urine in a clean specimen container is the most appropriate and accurate action for obtaining a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity in a client with manifestations of a urinary tract infection.

The correct option is a.