A practitioner uses a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity via a straight catheter for a patient. What should the nurse do when collecting this urine specimen?
A. Use a sterile specimen container.
B. Collect urine from the catheter port.
C. Inflate the balloon with 10 mL of sterile water.
D. Have the patient void before collecting the specimen.
Correct Answer: A. Use a sterile specimen container.
A culture attempts to identify the microorganisms present in the urine, and a sensitivity study identifies the antibiotics that are effective against the isolated microorganisms. A sterile specimen container is used to prevent contamination of the specimen by microorganisms outside the body (exogenous).
Option B: The urine from the straight catheter flows directly into the specimen container. Collecting a urine specimen from a catheter port is necessary when the patient has a urinary retention catheter. A straight catheter has a single lumen for draining urine from the bladder.
Option C: A straight catheter does not remain in the bladder and therefore does not have a 2nd lumen for water to be inserted into a balloon. This may result in no urine left in the bladder for the straight catheter to collect.
Option D: A minimum of 3 mL of urine is necessary for a specimen for urine culture and sensitivity. Do not urinate for at least 1 hour before the test. If the client doesn’t have the urge to urinate, he may be instructed to drink a glass of water 15 to 20 minutes before the test. Otherwise, there is no preparation for the test.