NH No.: 8, Village: Dhamdod, Ta. Mangrol, Near Kosamba, Surat – 394 125. (GUJARAT).

Collecting a stool specimen

Definition:
Collection of stool specimen determines a process which is aimed at doing chemical
bacteriological or parasitological analysis of fecal specimen.

Purpose:
1. To identify specific pathogens
2. To determine presence of ova and parasites
3. To determine presence of blood and fat
4. To examine for stool characteristics such as color, consistency and odor.

Equipment required:
1. Laboratory form
2.Disposable gloves if available (1)
3. Clean bed-pan with cover (1)
4. Closed specimen container as ordered
5. Label as required
6.Wooden tongue depressor (1-2)
7.Kidney tray or plastic bag for dirt (1)

Procedure:

Care Action Rationale

1.Assemble equipment. Label the  Organization facilitates accurate skill

container.
2. Explanation:
1) Explain the procedure to the client
2) Ask the client to tell you when he/she
feels the urge to have a bowel movement.
Performance.
 Careful labelling ensures accuracy of
the report and alerts the laboratory
personnel to the presence of a
contaminated specimen.
 Providing information fosters his/her
cooperation.
 Most of clients cannot pass on
command.

3. Perform hand hygiene and put on  To prevent the spread of infection.

gloves if available.
4. Placing bedpan:
1) Close door and put curtains/ a screen.  To provide privacy.
2)Give the bedpan when the client is  You are most likely to obtain a usable
ready. specimen at this time.
3)Allow the client to pass faeces.  To gain accurate results
4) Instruct not to contaminate specimen
 with urine

5. Collecting a stool specimen:

1) Remove the bedpan and assist the  It is grossly contaminated
client to clean if needed.
2) Use the tongue depressor to transfer a  To gain accurate results
portion of the faeces to the container
without any touching.
3) Take a portion of faeces from three
different areas of the stool specimen.
4) Cover the container.  It prevents the spread of odor

6. Remove and discard gloves. Perform  To prevent the spread of infection.

hand hygiene.
7. Send the container immediately to the
laboratory.
8.Document the procedure in the
designated place and mark it off on the
Kardex.
 Stools should be examined when fresh.
 Examinations for parasites, ova, and
organisms must be made when the stool
is warm.
 To avoid duplication.
 Documentation provides coordination
of care.

❖Nursing Alert
❖
The procedure is exact same in routine test of stool and culture. BUT!!when you collect
stool specimen you should caution on the next point;
 Collect stool specimen with clean wooden tongue depressor or spatula for routine
stool test.
 Collect stool specimen with sterile wooden tongue depressor or spatula for culture.