Collecting Specimens of Urine and stool

Collecting Specimens of Urine and stool.

Urine 24-hour volume
Definition
The urine 24-hour volume test measures the amount of urine produced in a day.
Why the Test is performed
Urine volume is normally measured as a part of the creatinine clearance test, or any test that measures the amount of a substance eliminated in a day (for example, protein, aldosterone, sodium, potassium, urea nitrogen). It is also measured in patients with polyuria (abnormally large volumes of urine), such as diabetes insipidus.

How the Test is Performed
A 24-hour urine sample is needed. The health care provider will instruct you, if necessary, to discontinue drugs that may interfere with the test.
• On day 1, urinate into the toilet when you get up in the morning.
• Afterwards, collect all urine in a special container for the next 24 hours.
• On day 2, urinate into the container when you get up in the morning.
• Cap the container. Keep it in the refrigerator or a cool place during the collection period. Label the container with your name, the date, the time of completion, and return it as instructed.
How to Prepare for the Test
No special preparation is necessary for this test, but if the collection is being taken from an infant, a couple of extra collection bags may be necessary.
Drink a normal volume of fluids, and consume a normal diet.

How the Test Will Feel
The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.
Risks
There are no risks, except for the chance of inaccurate results if all of the urine is not collected during the 24-hour period.
Normal Results
800 to 2000 ml/day (with a normal fluid intake of about 2 L/day)
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories.
What Abnormal Results Mean
Disorders that cause reduced urine volume include dehydration, inadequate fluid intake, or renal insufficiency or failure.
Some of the conditions that cause increased urine volume include:
• Diabetes insipidus - renal
• Diabetes insipidus - central
• Diabetes
• High fluid intake
• Some forms of kidney failure
• End-stage renal disease
• Use of diuretic medications.
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• Fecal culture

• Definition
• A fecal culture is a laboratory test to isolate and identify organisms in the feces that may cause gastrointestinal symptoms and disease. Normally, many organisms are present in the feces, but some can act as pathogens (disease-causing organisms).
• Some bacteria cause symptoms directly and others cause symptoms through toxins they produce.

• Why the Test is Performed ?
• The test is performed when gastrointestinal distress is present and an infection is suspected as a cause of the distress. It may be performed if severe, persistent, or recurrent diarrhea of unknown cause is present.
• It may also be performed when long-term antibiotic therapy has been used, to see if bacteria that don't usually live in the intestine are now in the intestine.
• How the Test is Performed
• For adults and children:
• There are many ways to collect the samples. You can catch the stool on plastic wrap that is loosely placed over the toilet bowl and held in place by the toilet seat. Then, put the sample in a clean container. One test kit supplies a special toilet tissue that you use to collect the sample, then put the sample in a clean container.
• For infants and young children in diapers:
• A sample of the specimen is placed in culture media to encourage the growth of microorganisms. The culture is observed for growth at regular intervals in the laboratory. When growth is observed, the organisms are identified. Further tests to determine sensitivity of the organisms to antimicrobial therapy may also be carried out.



• How to Prepare for the Test
• A collection container will be provided for the stool specimen. Return the sample to the laboratory as soon as possible. The specimen should not include toilet tissue or urine.
• Considerations
• Often other stool tests such as gram stain of stool, stool ova and parasites exam, and fecal smear are done in addition to the culture.
• Normal Results
• Normal fecal organisms are present.
• What Abnormal Results Mean
• Abnormal results may indicate an intestinal infection.