Collecting Stool Collecting Stool SpecimensSpecimens

Heather Nelson, RNHeather Nelson, RN

Collecting Stool Collecting Stool SpecimensSpecimens The nurse needs to determine the The nurse needs to determine the

reason for collecting the stool specimen reason for collecting the stool specimen and the correct method of obtaining and and the correct method of obtaining and handling it (i.e., how much stool to handling it (i.e., how much stool to obtain, whether a preservative needs to obtain, whether a preservative needs to be added to the stool, and whether it be added to the stool, and whether it needs to be sent immediately to the needs to be sent immediately to the laboratory).laboratory).

Confirm handing of stool with the Confirm handing of stool with the hospital laboratory if necessary.hospital laboratory if necessary.

Nurses Need to Nurses Need to Instruct Patients:Instruct Patients: To defecate in a clean or sterile bedpan or To defecate in a clean or sterile bedpan or

bedside commode.bedside commode. Do not contaminate the specimen with urine Do not contaminate the specimen with urine

or menstrual discharge if possible. Void or menstrual discharge if possible. Void before the specimen collection.before the specimen collection.

Do not place toilet tissue in the bedpan or Do not place toilet tissue in the bedpan or hat after defecation, since contents of the hat after defecation, since contents of the paper can affect the laboratory analysis.paper can affect the laboratory analysis.

Notify the nurse as soon as possible after Notify the nurse as soon as possible after defecation, particularly for specimens that defecation, particularly for specimens that need to be sent to the laboratory need to be sent to the laboratory immediately.immediately.

Obtaining sample from Obtaining sample from a babya baby Obtain newly passed feces from Obtain newly passed feces from

the diaper.the diaper.

Obtaining Stool Obtaining Stool SamplesSamples The nurse should follow medical The nurse should follow medical

aseptic technique.aseptic technique. Wear gloves to prevent hand Wear gloves to prevent hand

contamination.contamination. Take care not to contaminate the Take care not to contaminate the

outside of the specimen container.outside of the specimen container. Use clean tongue blades to Use clean tongue blades to

transfer the specimen to the transfer the specimen to the container.container.

Obtaining Stool Obtaining Stool SamplesSamples The amount of stool to be sent to the The amount of stool to be sent to the

lab depends on the purpose for which lab depends on the purpose for which the specimen is collected. the specimen is collected.

Usually about 2.5 cm (1 inch) of Usually about 2.5 cm (1 inch) of formed stool or 15 to 30 ml of liquid formed stool or 15 to 30 ml of liquid stool is adequate. stool is adequate.

For some timed specimens, the entire For some timed specimens, the entire stool passed may need to be sent. stool passed may need to be sent.

Confirm with the lab the size of the Confirm with the lab the size of the sample required. sample required.

Obtaining Stool Obtaining Stool SamplesSamples Visible pus, mucus, or blood Visible pus, mucus, or blood

should be included in sample should be included in sample specimens.specimens.

For a stool culture, dip a sterile For a stool culture, dip a sterile swab into the specimen and place swab into the specimen and place the swab in a sterile test tube.the swab in a sterile test tube.

Obtaining Stool Obtaining Stool SamplesSamples Send the specimen to the lab Send the specimen to the lab

immediately. immediately. If this is not possible, follow the If this is not possible, follow the

directions on the specimen directions on the specimen container. container.