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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

Offering the Bedpan

When a resident is bed-bound, they must use a bedpan to urinate and defecate. This can be embarrassing for the resident, so it should be done with sensitivity to the resident’s privacy and dignity. There are two types of bedpans. A regular bedpan is the deeper and more rounded of the two. A fracture pan has a relatively flat upper end with a trough at the lower end. Fracture pans are used for residents who have difficulty, or restrictions against, moving their hips and/or backs.

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.

Logrolling the Resident

Logrolling is a technique used to roll a resident onto their side without the resident helping, and while keeping the resident’s spine in a straight line. This is especially important for residents who have had spinal surgery or injury.

Passive Range of Motion Exercises

Range of motion exercises are used to help prevent or decrease contractures, improve flexibility of joints, and improve strength [1]. Bedridden patients as well as those with reduced mobility may greatly benefit from passive range of motion exercises. However, do not perform these exercises without an order to do so, as it may be contraindicated in certain situations.

Using a Gait / Transfer Belt to Assist the Resident to Ambulate

Walking (aka, ambulating) helps residents maintain mobility and independence, and prevents complications. However, ambulation must be done safely so that the resident does not have a fall or injury. A gait or transfer belt, when properly used, can increase resident safety. Gait belts can vary between facilities, so make sure you know how to use the one in your facility.

Tympanic Membrane Temperature with Electronic Thermometer

A tympanic membrane thermometer uses an infrared sensor to measure the temperature of the tympanic membrane (ear drum). This type of thermometer is considered an accurate and reliable predictor of a patient’s core temperature because the tympanic membrane’s blood supply is sourced from the carotid artery, which is the same artery that carries blood to the hypothalamus in the brain.

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