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Collecting a Stool Specimen

Written by Amanda R. McDaniel, MS, BSN, RN
Amanda is a BSN/RN with a MS in Physiology and a BA in English. She worked as a medical writer in the pharmaceutical industry for 11 years before pursuing a career in nursing. She now works as a nurse on a NeuroTelemetry unit and continues to write and edit on a freelance basis. Amanda’s LinkedIn

Stool specimens are collected to test for a variety of disorders from colon cancer to parasites. While it is not the most pleasant job, it is important that the collection is done correctly for accurate results.

How to Collect a Stool Specimen

  1. Gather the following supplies:
    • Gloves
    • Specimen pan (aka, hat) for the toilet or a bedpan
    • Specimen cup and lid
    • Appropriate label
    • Tongue blades
    • Biohazard bag
    • Toilet tissue or perineal care supplies
  2. Give the patient privacy by closing the door or curtain.
  3. Perform hand hygiene and don gloves.
  4. Ask the patient to urinate in the toilet or in the bedpan.
    • If in the bedpan, empty the urine into the toilet, and then clean and dry the bedpan.
    • If in the toilet, flush the urine, and then place the specimen pan toward the back of the toilet.
  5. Place the patient on the bedpan or help him onto the toilet. Give the patient time and privacy (while maintaining safety) to have a bowel movement. Return when the patient calls or signals that he is done.
    • If the patient is able to clean himself after the bowel movement, provide a trash receptacle for him to dispose of his toilet tissue. The tissue should not be placed in the specimen pan or bedpan with the stool.
  6. Assist the patient with perineal care and hand hygiene if necessary. Remember to discard the supplies in a container separate from the stool.
  7. Help the patient back to the bed.
  8. Note the amount and characteristics (color, consistency, smell) of the stool.
  9. If the stool is formed (has shape):
    • Use a tongue blade to scoop 2 tablespoons of stool into the specimen container, including any blood, mucus, or other discharge.
    • Take the sample from the center or from two different places per the order.
    • Wrap the tongue blade in toilet tissue and dispose appropriately.
  10. If the stool is unformed (liquid):
    • Carefully pour approximately 2 tablespoons of the stool into the specimen container.
  11. Place the lid on the specimen container and make sure the lid is tight.
  12. Change gloves.
  13. Place the patient’s name label on the container with the date, time, and initials of the collector per policy. This label may go on the outside of the biohazard bag, depending on institutional policy.
  14. Place the specimen container into a biohazard bag.
  15. Empty the remaining stool into the toilet and flush. Clean or dispose of the bedpan or specimen pan.
  16. Remove gloves and perform hand hygiene.
  17. Document the bowel movement per unit or institutional policy.
  18. Transport the specimen to the lab per institutional policy.

Reference

S. A. Sorrentino, & L. N. Remmert. (2012). Collecting and testing specimens. In Mosby’s textbook for nursing assistants (8th ed., pp 551-552). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.

More Resources

Removing Personal Protective Equipment

It is important to follow the correct procedure while removing personal protective equipment to avoid contaminating your skin or clothing. The most common source of contamination in this process stems from improper removal of gloves. Gloves are often the most soiled piece of equipment. To avoid contaminating your skin or the other equipment worn, gloves should always be removed first. Then remove the goggles, gown, and mask, in that order.

Handwashing for CNAs

Handwashing is considered the single most important practice to prevent the spread of infection. Even when hands look clean, they could potentially be crawling with dangerous microorganisms and pathogens. Using soap and friction during handwashing helps loosen the oils on the skin, allowing dirt and pathogens to be rinsed away.

Dressing and Undressing a Patient

Patients who have suffered a stroke or have weakness or injury to one side of their body may struggle with dressing and undressing. In order to help these patients regain their strength and independence, it is important that the nurse’s aide only assist them as needed. The nurse’s aide may need to teach patients how to dress and undress safely with their limitations.

Partial Bed Bath

Bathing is an important part of a patient’s health routine. A partial bed bath focuses on bathing sensitive areas that cause discomfort if not cleansed frequently, such as the face, hands, axillae, back, and perineum. Though patients receiving a bed bath are typically confined to the bed, some are able to wash themselves and should be encouraged to do so to promote independence.

Perineal Care of the Female Resident

Perineal care should be performed during a bath, after using the bedpan, and/or after incontinence. Proper technique is important for maintaining hygiene, preventing infection, and avoiding skin breakdown. Because of the close proximity between a woman’s urethra, vagina, and anus, it is essential to only wipe in a front to back motion. Wiping in the opposite direction is associated with a greater risk for developing a urinary tract infection.

Performing Ostomy Care

Residents who have had a portion of their intestines removed due to illness or trauma may have a temporary or permanent ostomy, which is an opening in the abdomen that is created for the elimination of urine or feces. The portion of the intestine that is connected to the abdominal wall and is visible is called the stoma. A pouch is placed over the stoma to collect feces.

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