Ateneo de Zamboanga University
College of Nursing
NURSING SKILLS OUTPUT
24-Hour Urine Collection
Definition
The urine must be collected throughout the course of 24 hours for this test; the
first sample after waking up is not utilized, but the time of urinating is recorded. It is a
scheduled urine collection used in the metabolic assessment of many forms of renal
problems. The nurse typically collects the patients' urine when they are in-patients. The
nurse needs to be aware of the collecting of urine and the need to keep it clean. The
patient must be instructed on how to collect the urine when the testing is done in an
outpatient environment.
Purpose
The procedure of this is to determine how much of a certain substance—such as
proteins, hormones, ions, and metabolic products—is expelled from the body using 24-
hour urine samples. It is an important part of the metabolic workup for people who get
stones often. Accurate collections can track the effectiveness of therapy and identify
treatable anomalies that predispose to nephrolithiasis.
Objectives
1. Determine the amount of protein or creatinine is cleared through kidneys;
2. Detect kidney disorders and underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment;
Equipment
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PROCEDURE
1. Identify patient and explain the procedure.
Rationale: Increases the patient's understanding of the procedure and
the reason for it.
2. Provide specimen containers to patient; one where urine is collected, and
another for storage. Ask patient to write name, date of birth, and date & time
when first start collecting.
3. Instruct the patient that the test may begin at any time and the first voided
morning urine is discarded and should begin when bladder is empty. Ask
patient to write date and time started on container’s label.
4. For the next 24 hours, instruct patient to collect urine into the provided
container every time they will urinate. For females, they can use toilet hat.
5. Instruct to urinate first when patient has urge for bowel movement and not let
feces contaminate urine sample.
Rationale: Urine sample will be contaminated and bacteria can multiply.
Results will be inaccurate. Thus, urine collection must be restarted.
6. Instruct to close lid tightly and be cautious as not to spill any urine.
Rationale: To allow proper secure of sample and avoid contamination,
and prevent from restarting.
7. Once collection is done, store urine sample in refrigerator for the entire 24-hour
period.
Rationale: This prevents bacteria in urine sample to multiply and can
affect the test results.
8. Record the total volume of urine sample and label with the following:
Name of patient, date of birth, start time & date and finish time & date.
9. As soon as after the collection is completed, return urine sample to the
laboratory along with lab order given within 24 hours. Instruct patient that blood
sample may be drawn when handing the urine sample to the lab.
Nursing Responsibilities with Rationale
1.) Instruct patient to collect all urine during 24-hour period into the container specimen.
Rationale: This allows no urine will go to “waste”.
2.) Instruct female patients to avoid the 24-hour urine test while menstruating.
Rationale: To avoid mixing urine sample with menstrual blood.
3.) Instruct patient that collection should end exactly after 24 hours it began.
Rationale: To submit urine sample on time and avoid inaccurate test results.
Illustration:
____________________________________
Clinical Instructor
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482482/
https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-
resources/helping-hands/24-hour-urine-specimen-collection-guidelines
https://www.healthcare.uiowa.edu/path_handbook/appendix/techserv/
24hr_urine.html#:~:text=Instruct%20the%20patient%20(or%20nurse,specimen%20to%20the
%20collection%20container.
