Collecting Stool Specimens

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Collecting Stool Specimens

• Heather Nelson, RN

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Collecting Stool Specimens

• The nurse needs to determine the reason for
  collecting the stool specimen and the correct
  method of obtaining and handling it (i.e., how
  much stool to obtain, whether a preservative
  needs to be added to the stool, and whether it
  needs to be sent immediately to the laboratory).
• Confirm handing of stool with the hospital
  laboratory if necessary.

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Nurses Need to Instruct Patients

• To defecate in a clean or sterile bedpan or
  bedside commode.
• Do not contaminate the specimen with urine or
  menstrual discharge if possible. Void before the
  specimen collection.
• Do not place toilet tissue in the bedpan or hat
  after defecation, since contents of the paper can
  affect the laboratory analysis.
• Notify the nurse as soon as possible after
  defecation, particularly for specimens that need
  to be sent to the laboratory immediately.

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Obtaining sample from a baby

• Obtain newly passed feces from the diaper.

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Obtaining Stool Samples

• The nurse should follow medical aseptic
  technique.
• Wear gloves to prevent hand contamination.
• Take care not to contaminate the outside of the
  specimen container.
• Use clean tongue blades to transfer the specimen
  to the container.

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Obtaining Stool Samples

• The amount of stool to be sent to the lab depends
  on the purpose for which the specimen is
  collected.
• Usually about 2.5 cm (1 inch) of formed stool or
  15 to 30 ml of liquid stool is adequate.
• For some timed specimens, the entire stool passed
  may need to be sent.
• Confirm with the lab the size of the sample
  required.

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Obtaining Stool Samples

• Visible pus, mucus, or blood should be included
  in sample specimens.
• For a stool culture, dip a sterile swab into the
  specimen and place the swab in a sterile test
  tube.

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Obtaining Stool Samples

• Send the specimen to the lab immediately.
• If this is not possible, follow the directions on
  the specimen container.