Purpose

• Stools are studied for fat, microbes, worms, blood, and other abnormal contents.
• Sometimes bleeding occurs in very small amounts. Then stools are tested for occult (hidden) blood. Occult blood test kits vary. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Urine must not contaminate the stool specimen. The person uses one device for voiding and another for a bowel movement (BM).
• Some tests require a warm stool. The specimen is taken at once to the laboratory or storage area.
• Follow these rules for collecting stool specimens:
  • Follow the rules of medical asepsis.
  • Use a clean container for each specimen. Use the correct container.
  • Do not touch the inside of the container or lid.
  • Label the container in the person’s presence. Provide clear, accurate information.
  • Collect the specimen at the correct time.
  • Ask a female if she is menstruating. Tell the nurse. Menstruation may cause blood to be in the stool specimen.
  • Ask the person to void before collecting a stool specimen. The specimen must not contain urine.
  • Instruct the person. Stool specimens must not contain toilet tissue.
  • Place the specimen container in a labeled biohazard plastic bag. Do not let the container touch the outside of the bag. Seal the bag.
  • Take the specimen and requisition slip to the laboratory or storage area.

Equipment

Roll cursor over items to see labels. For the purposes of clearly depicting the equipment, a barrier is not shown in this photo. When providing care, a barrier should always be placed on the surface before placing the equipment.

Wash basin

Specimen bag

Disposable BIOHAZARD Bag

Bedpan

Urinal

Specimen container with label and lid

tongue blades

Specimen pan for the toilet

Stool specimen kit

Toilet tissue

Laboratory requisition slip

Towel

Gloves

Delegation

• Follow delegation guidelines. Before collecting and testing a stool specimen, obtain this information from the nurse and care plan:
  • What time to collect the specimen
  • What equipment to use
  • What special measures are needed
  • If the nurse wants to observe the stool
  • What observations to report and record
  • When to report observations
  • What patient or resident concerns to report at once

Preparation

• Observe quality-of-life measures.
• Review the information under Delegation and Safety and Comfort.
• Practice hand hygiene.
• Before going to the person’s room, collect the items on the equipment list, from the laboratory requisition slip through gloves.
• Arrange collected items in the person’s bathroom.
• Practice hand hygiene.
• Identify the person. Check the ID bracelet against the requisition slip. Compare all information. Also call the person by name.
• Label the specimen container in the person’s presence.
• Put on gloves.
• Collect the remaining items on the equipment list.
• Provide for privacy.

Safety

• You must be accurate when testing stools. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the test used. Promptly report the results to the nurse.
• Stools contain microbes. They may contain blood. Follow Standard Precautions and the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard.

Comfort

• Stools normally have an odor. A person may be embarrassed that you need to collect a specimen. Complete the task quickly and carefully. Also act in a professional manner.

Follow-up Care

• Provide for comfort.
• Place the call light within reach.
• Raise or lower the bed rails. Follow the care plan.
• Unscreen the person.
• Complete a safety check of the room.
• Deliver the specimen and requisition slip to the laboratory or storage area. Follow agency policy. Wear gloves.
• Remove and discard the gloves. Practice hand hygiene.

Reporting/Recording

• Report and record your observations, including:
  • The time you collected the specimen
  • Problems obtaining the specimen
  • Color, amount, consistency, and odor of stools
  • Blood in the stools
  • Complaints of pain or discomfort