Collecting a stool specimen is a common diagnostic procedure used to analyze fecal matter for various reasons, such as detecting infections, parasites, or gastrointestinal disorders.
Here’s a general guide on collecting a stool specimen:
- Gathering Materials:
- Use a clean, dry container with a tight-fitting lid. Healthcare providers often provide specific containers for stool collection.
- Consider using disposable gloves to maintain hygiene during the collection process.
- Timing:
- Collect the stool sample as soon as possible after it is produced to ensure the accuracy of the results.
- Avoid Contamination:
- Make sure the stool does not come into contact with urine or toilet bowl water.
- Some healthcare providers may recommend using a plastic wrap or disposable plastic container placed in the toilet bowl to catch the stool.
- Collection:
- Using a clean plastic or wooden spatula, tongue depressor, or a similar device, collect a small amount of stool (about the size of a walnut) from different areas of the stool sample.
- Place the sample into the container, ensuring that it is well-sealed to prevent leakage and contamination.
- Labeling:
- Label the container with your name, date of collection, and any other information required by your healthcare provider.
- Transport to the Laboratory:
- Deliver the stool specimen to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection. Some tests may require the sample to be delivered within a specific timeframe.
- Storage:
- If immediate delivery is not possible, store the specimen in the refrigerator until you can transport it to the laboratory.
- Special Instructions:
- Some tests may require additional instructions, such as collecting multiple samples over consecutive days or following a specific diet before collection. Follow any guidelines provided by your healthcare provider.
- Preservation Solutions:
- In some cases, the healthcare provider may provide a preservative solution to mix with the stool sample. Follow the instructions for using any provided solutions.
- Documentation:
- Document any relevant symptoms or information that may aid in the interpretation of the test results.
STOOL-ROUTINE TEST AND CULTURE
Collection of stool specimen for specific or routine tests (stool culture to detect abnormal characteristics)
Purpose
- To identify specific pathogens
- To determine presence of blood, ova and parasites
- To determine presence of fat
- To do gross examination of stool characteristics such as color, consistency and color
Normal Characteristics of Feces
- Color: light to dark brown
- Odor: pungent smell
- Frequency: 1-2 times per day
- Quantity: 4-5 ounces per day
- Composition: 30% water, shed epithelium from the intestine, a considerable quantity of bacteria and a small quantity of nitrogenous matter
- Stool of infants: at birth, the stool of infants is dark green and it is called “meconium”
Abnormal Characteristics of Feces
Color
- Tarry black stools – bleeding in the upper gastro-intestinal tract
- Black color stool – melena, administration of iron or charcoal
- Clay colored stool – obstruction to the flow of bile
- White colored stool – presence of barium salts after barium tests
Odor
Melana and dysentery – foul smell
Frequency
- Diarrhea – increased frequency
- Constipation – decreased in frequency and low residue diet
Consistency and Form
- Watery stools – diarrhea
- Rice water stools – cholera
- Pea soup stools – typical of typhoid fever
Appearance
- Fresh blood in large amounts – bleeding piles
- Blood and mucus stool – amoebic or bacillary dysentery
- Worm or segments or worms in stool – parasitic cysts, ova or larvae
General Instructions
- Fecal specimens are collected for chemical bacteriological or parasitological analysis
- Fecal specimens should be collected in the early stages of disease preferably before antibiotic treatment is given
- Stool specimens should be collected in a sterile container (making use of the scoop provided in the container) with a tight-fitting leak proof lid
- After collection, the lid should be immediately replaced tightly
- After proper labeling, the collected stool should be handed over to the laboratory without delay
Preliminary Assessment
Check
- The doctors order for any specific instructions
- General condition and diagnosis of the patient
- Assess the self-care ability
- Mental status to follow instructions
- Articles available in the unit
Preparation of the Patient and Environment
- Explain the procedure to the patient
- Provide privacy
- Arrange the articles at bedside
- Obtain laboratory request and container
Equipment
- Appropriate specimen container
- Spatula (clean for routine, sterile for culture)
- Bedpan or portable commode
- Gloves
- Waste paper
Procedure
- Instruct patient to defecate into clean dry bedpan or commode
- Instruct not to contaminate specimen with urine
- Nurse to wear gloves while collecting specimen
- Collect stool specimen with clean spatula for routine stool test and with sterile spatula into culture container
- Cover the container tightly
After Care
- Remove the gloves
- Wrap spatula in waste paper and discard appropriately
- Label specimen container with name, hospital number, and date
- Send to laboratory immediately (fresh specimen provides more accurate results)
- Replace equipment and after cleaning
- Record the procedure in nurse’s record sheet
