Question

When collecting a urine specimen for routine urinalysis from a patient, the nurse keeps in mind which of the following?

A. A Sterile specimen is required for collection.
B. Results may be altered if a sample is left standing at room temperature for a long time.
C.The external meatus requires cleaning with antiseptic soap and water before voiding.
D.A clean-catch midstream specimen is necessary.

Answer 1

For routine urinalysis, it's crucial to collect a clean-catch midstream urine specimen to avoid contamination, and to process the sample promptly to prevent alteration of results due to temperature. the correct answer is B.

Step-by-step explanation:

When collecting a urine specimen for routine urinalysis, the nurse must be aware particularly that B. Results may be altered if a sample is left standing at room temperature for a long time, and D. A clean-catch midstream specimen is necessary. For an accurate urinalysis, it's essential to obtain a clean-catch midstream specimen to minimize contamination from the normal microbiota of the genitals.

This procedure involves cleaning the external meatus and then discarding the first part of the urine stream. This step is crucial to avoid collecting bacteria that are not part of the urinary infection, which could lead to a misdiagnosis. Additionally, urine should not be left at room temperature as the results may alter over time — components could degrade or proliferate if there are bacteria present. This can cause inaccuracies and confusion in diagnosis.