A practical nurse is initiating a 24-hour urine collection for a client to evaluate kidney function. In what order should the nurse perform the following actions to ensure an accurate diagnostic test result?
- 1Ask the client to empty their bladder completely and discard this initial urine.
- 2Document the exact time of the discarded void as the official start time.
- 3Save all subsequent urine voids in a designated container kept on ice.
- 4Instruct the client to void one final time at exactly the 24-hour mark.
- 5Add the final voided specimen to the container and send it to the laboratory.
Answer
The correct sequence is to first have the client empty their bladder and discard the urine, record that exact time as the start, collect all subsequent voids on ice, ask for one final void at the 24-hour mark, and finally add that void to the container to send to the lab.
A 24-hour urine collection must reflect exactly 24 hours of kidney function. By discarding the first void, the nurse ensures the bladder is empty at the exact start time. Documenting the time establishes the 24-hour clock. Keeping subsequent voids on ice prevents specimen degradation. The final void at exactly 24 hours ensures the bladder is emptied at the end of the collection period, completing the exact timeframe before the specimen is sent to the laboratory.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Accurate Specimen Collection and Diagnostic Preparation
Estimated Time:1m 30s