Specimen Collection & Diagnostic Tests – Nursing Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering key nursing procedures for collecting sputum, stool, and urine specimens, performing fingerstick glucose tests, and preparing for a barium enema.

Nasotracheal Suctioning

Preferred technique to obtain a sputum specimen from a patient who cannot expectorate because it accesses secretions from the lower airway.

Occult Blood Test (Fecal Guaiac)

Laboratory examination that detects hidden, microscopic blood in stool that is not visible to the naked eye.

Urine Culture and Sensitivity (C&S)

Test used to identify the microorganism causing a urinary tract infection and determine which antibiotics are effective against it.

24-Hour Urine Collection – First Void

The very first urination is discarded; all urine produced afterward for the next 24 hours is saved.

24-Hour Urine Collection – Ice Storage

The entire specimen container must be kept on ice or refrigerated during the 24-hour period to preserve the urine.

24-Hour Urine Collection – Patient Education

Teach the patient to collect every void and to prevent toilet tissue or stool from entering the container.

Catheter Port Aspiration Technique

For a sterile urine specimen, clean the catheter sampling port with alcohol and aspirate about 10 mL of urine with a sterile syringe.

Side-of-Fingertip Blood Glucose Site

The lateral aspect of the fingertip is favored for capillary glucose testing because it has fewer pain receptors, causing less discomfort.

Barium Enema Preparation – NPO After Midnight

The patient must remain NPO (no food or drink) after midnight before the scheduled barium enema study.

Urine Hat Use in 24-Hour Collection

Each void is first caught in a clean urine hat and then transferred into the large iced collection container to ensure complete volume collection.