CNA Certification (Written Exam)Basic Nursing SkillsMedium
A nurse aide is asked to collect a urine specimen from a resident who has an indwelling urinary catheter. What is the correct procedure for collecting this specimen?
- AClamp the drainage tubing below the collection port, wait 15-30 minutes, and then withdraw urine from the port with a syringe.
- BEmpty the urine from the drainage bag into a specimen cup.
- CDisconnect the catheter from the drainage bag and collect urine directly from the catheter tubing.
- DRemove the catheter, collect a clean-catch midstream specimen, and reinsert a new catheter.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Clamp the drainage tubing below the collection port, wait 15-30 minutes, and then withdraw urine from the port with a syringe.
To obtain a sterile urine specimen from an indwelling catheter, clamping the tubing temporarily allows urine to collect in the tube above the port, from where it can then be aspirated using a sterile technique. This prevents contamination from the drainage bag.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Urine from the drainage bag is not considered a sterile specimen and may contain bacteria from the bag itself.
- C. Disconnecting the catheter increases the risk of infection and contamination.
- D. Removing and reinserting a catheter is an invasive procedure not performed by a nurse aide and carries significant infection risk.
Indwelling Catheter Urine Specimen
Collecting a sterile urine sample from a resident with an indwelling urinary catheter by clamping the tubing and aspirating from the port.
- Ensures a sterile sample.
- Minimizes infection risk.
- Requires clamping tubing 15-30 minutes prior.
Memory trick: Clamp, Wait, Aspirate, Port, Sterile, Safe.