When obtaining a sterile urine specimen from an indwelling urinary cat

When obtaining a sterile urine specimen from an indwelling urinary catheter the nurse should:

1. Disconnect the catheter from the drainage tubing
2. Withdraw urine from a urinometer
3. Open the drainage bag and removing urine
4. Use a needle to withdraw urine from the catheter port

ANSWER

ANS: 4
A sterile specimen can be obtained through the special port found on the side of the indwelling catheter. The nurse clamps the tubing below the port, allowing fresh, uncontaminated urine to collect in the tube. After the nurse wipes the port with an antimicrobial swab, a sterile syringe needle is inserted, and at least 3 to 5 mL of urine is withdrawn. Using sterile technique, the nurse transfers the urine to a sterile container. The catheter should not be disconnected from the drain-age tubing. The system should remain a closed system to prevent infection. A urinometer is a de-vice used to determine the specific gravity of urine. It is not a sterile device and should not be used for obtaining a sterile urine specimen. Urine should not be obtained from a drainage bag for a specimen, because the urine would not be fresh and would be contaminated from microorgan-isms in the drainage bag.