A female patient with a suspected urinary tract infection (UTI) is to provide a clean-catch urine specimen for culture and sensitivity testing. To obtain the specimen, the nurse will

Question

a. have the patient empty the bladder completely, then obtain the next urine specimen that the patient is able to void.
b. teach the patient to clean the urethral area, void a small amount into the toilet, and then void into a sterile specimen cup.
c. insert a short sterile "mini" catheter attached to a collecting container into the urethra and bladder to obtain the specimen.
d. clean the area around the meatus with a povidone-iodine (Betadine) swab, and then have the patient void into a sterile container.

Answer 1

ANS: B
This answer describes the technique for obtaining a clean-catch specimen. The answer beginning, "insert a short, small, ‘mini' catheter attached to a collecting container" describes a technique that would result in a sterile specimen, but a health care provider's order for a catheterized specimen would be required. Using Betadine before obtaining the specimen is not necessary, and might result in suppressing the growth of some bacteria. The technique described in the answer beginning "have the patient empty the bladder completely" would not result in a sterile specimen.