The nurse is obtaining a 24-hour urine specimen collection from the patient. Which actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.)

Question

a. Keeping the urine collection container on ice when indicated
b. Withholding all patient medications for the day
c. Irrigating the sample as needed with sterile solution
d. Testing the urine sample with a reagent strip by dipping it in the urine
e. Asking the patient to void and discarding that urine to start the collection

Answer 1

ANS: A, E
When obtaining a 24-hour urine specimen, it is important to keep the urine in cool conditions, depending upon the test. The patient should be asked to void and to discard the urine before the procedure begins. Medications do not need to be held unless indicated by the provider. If properly educated about the collection procedure, the patient can maintain autonomy and perform the procedure alone, taking care to maintain the integrity of the solution. A 24-hour urine specimen is not tested with a reagent strip.