Final answer:
A stool specimen should be collected from the center of the stool to avoid contamination. In cases of fecal pouch or ileostomy, stool is collected from the pouch or appliance. Microscopic examination over several days provides thorough analysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
When collecting a stool specimen from a resident, the nurse assistant must ensure that the sample is uncontaminated and represents the stool accurately. This means that the sample should not include water or urine and should be taken from the center of the stool, as this part is less likely to be contaminated with outside bacteria or materials. For patients who have undergone certain surgical procedures, such as the crafting of a fecal pouch from the small intestine or an ileostomy, the stool collection process may differ. In such cases, stool is typically collected directly from the pouch or the adhesive appliance attached to the ileostomy site. Additionally, a microscopic examination of stool is valuable over several days to provide a comprehensive analysis, and sometimes serologic testing may be available as well.