Final answer:
In a 24-hour urine collection, the nurse should discard the first voiding and then collect all subsequent urine, keeping the specimen cold during the collection period.
Step-by-step explanation:
When caring for a client who has a prescription for a 24-hour urine collection, the nurse should take specific steps to ensure accurate results. The correct action to take is to discard the first voiding. This is because the 24-hour collection period starts after this initial voiding is disposed of.
From then on, every drop of urine should be saved in a special container that is usually kept cold to inhibit bacterial growth and preserve the substances within the urine that are being measured. Urine should not be kept at room temperature, as this may affect the results.
The nurse should follow option B and keep the urine in a single container at room temperature for the 24-hour urine collection. This ensures that all urine produced during the specified time period is collected and maintained in a consistent environment.
Therefore answer is B.Keep the urine in a single container at room temperature.