a. Review the patient’s clinical record to verify the physician’s order and determine the reason for collection of the urine specimen.

b. Assemble the necessary equipment.

(1) Rubber band or screw clamp.

(2) Sterile syringe.

(3) Sterile 20-gauge needle.

(4) Alcohol sponge.

(5) Sterile specimen collection container.

(6) Identification labels and laboratory request slips.

c. Wash your hands.

d. Approach and identify the patient.

e. Explain the procedure to the patient.

f. Provide for privacy.

g. Wash your hands.

h. Clamp the drainage tubing directly below the aspiration port with a rubber band or clamp to ensure a sufficient amount of pooled urine for a specimen. Fifteen minutes is generally sufficient.

NOTE: Remember, a urine specimen collected from an indwelling catheter bag is not acceptable for laboratory testing unless it is the first urine drained into a new sterile bag.

i. Place a sign above the patient’s bed “Urine Tubing Temporarily Clamped.”

j. When sufficient urine has accumulated in the tubing, cleanse the aspiration port with an alcohol swab.

k. Expel all air from the syringe.

l. Insert the needle into the aspirating port.

m. Withdraw the desired volume of urine.

(1) The amount of urine needed will vary, depending on the laboratory testing methods.

(2) Refer questions to your laboratory technician.

n. Withdraw the needle and transfer the urine from the syringe into the sterile specimen container.

o. Remove the rubber band or screw clamp so urine can drain freely into the drainage bag once again.

p. Remove the sign placed above the patient’s bed.

q. Complete the appropriate laboratory request slips.

r. Label urine specimen and send it to the laboratory within 30 minutes of collection.

s. Dispose of the needle and syringe in the appropriate location.

t. Record procedure in patient’s clinical record. Report significant observations to professional nurse, as appropriate.