Question

A nurse is caring for a patient who needs a 24-hour urine collection. Which of the following patient statements indicate an understanding of the procedure?

1) I will collect my urine for 12 hours and then discard the rest.
2) I will collect all of my urine for 24 hours in a special container.
3) I will only collect my urine during the day and not at night.
4) I will collect my urine for 24 hours and then mix it with water.

Answer 1

The correct understanding of the 24-hour urine collection process is the patient's statement about collecting all urine for 24 hours in a special container. Urine should not be mixed with other substances and is usually around 1.5 liters per day.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the patient statements regarding the procedure for a 24-hour urine collection, the correct understanding is indicated by the second statement: "I will collect all of my urine for 24 hours in a special container." This procedure involves collecting every urine output over the span of 24 hours, which means that the patient must save all urine passed during the day and night. The urine is collected in a special container provided for this purpose and should not be mixed with any other substances, including water. The average volume of urine excretion per day is approximately 1.5 liters, although this can vary with fluid intake, activity levels, and individual health conditions.