CNA Certification (Written Exam)Basic Nursing SkillsEasy
A nurse aide is asked to obtain a routine urine specimen from a resident. Which of the following is the most appropriate action for the nurse aide to take?
- AObtain the specimen from the drainage bag of an indwelling catheter.
- BAsk the resident to void directly into the specimen cup.
- CCollect the first urine voided in the morning.
- DInstruct the resident to void into a clean bedpan or urinal.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Instruct the resident to void into a clean bedpan or urinal.
For a routine urine specimen, the resident should void into a clean collection device, from which the nurse aide can then transfer the specimen into a labeled cup. This ensures proper collection without contamination.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Collecting from a catheter drainage bag is incorrect as the urine would be old and potentially contaminated. A fresh specimen should be obtained directly from the catheter port if an indwelling catheter is present, not a routine specimen collection method.
- B. Asking the resident to void directly into the small specimen cup can lead to spillage and contamination, making it an inappropriate method for routine collection.
- C. While a first morning void is often preferred for certain tests, for a routine specimen, the primary concern is proper collection technique, not necessarily timing.
Routine Urine Specimen Collection
Collecting a urine sample for general analysis, typically by having the resident void into a clean collection device before transferring to a specimen cup.
- Use a clean bedpan or urinal.
- Label the specimen cup correctly.
- Do not collect from a catheter drainage bag.
Memory trick: Routine Urination for Reporting Results.