, ROUTINE BLOOD TESTING
Many diagnostic and laboratory tests include the direction to
perform routine blood testing and/or routine urine testing.
The protocol for those tests is presented here and will be
cross-referenced within the many tests requiring them.
Before
Explain the procedure to the patient.
Tell the patient if fasting is necessary. (Fasting is most
commonly required with glucose and lipid studies.)
If fasting is required, instruct the patient not to consume
any food or fluids. Only water is permitted. Fasting
requirements usually vary from 8 to 12 hours.
Instruct the patient to continue taking medications unless
told otherwise by the healthcare provider.
During
• Collect the blood in a properly color-coded test tube
(Table A, page xiv), which indicates the presence or
absence of additives. Tube stopper colors may vary with
different manufacturers. If uncertain, verify with the
laboratory.
After
• Apply pressure or a pressure dressing to the venipuncture
site.
• Assess the site for bleeding.
= Patient teaching
, ROUTINE URINE TESTING
Many diagnostic and laboratory tests include the direction to
perform routine blood testing and/or routine urine testing.
The protocol for those tests is presented here and will be
cross-referenced within the many tests requiring them.
Before
Explain the procedure to the patient.
Inform the patient if food or fluid restrictions are needed.
During
Random, fresh, or spot specimen:
• Instruct the patient to urinate into an appropriate non-
sterile container.
24-hour specimen:
1. Begin the 24-hour collection by discarding the first
specimen.
2. Collect all urine voided during the next 24 hours.
3. Show the patient where to store the urine.
4. Keep the urine on ice or refrigerated during the collection
period. Foley bags are kept in a basin of ice. Some collec-
tions require a preservative. Check with the laboratory.
5. Post the hours for the urine collection in a prominent
place to prevent accidentally discarding a specimen.
6. Instruct the patient to void before defecating so that urine
is not contaminated by stool.
7. Remind the patient not to put toilet paper in the urine
collection container.
8. Collect the last specimen as close as possible to the end of
the 24-hour period. Add this urine to the collection.
After
• Transport the specimen promptly to the laboratory.
= Patient teaching
, MOSBY’S
DIAGNOSTIC AND
LABORATORY TEST
REFERENCE
Twelfth Edition
Kathleen Deska Pagana, PhD, RN
Professor Emeritus
Department of Nursing
Lycoming College
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
http://www.KathleenPagana.com
President, Pagana Keynotes & Presentations
Timothy J. Pagana, MD, FACS
Medical Director
The Kathryn Candor Lundy Breast Health Center
Susquehanna Health System
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Theresa Noel Pagana, MD, FAAEM
Emergency Medicine Physician
Virtua Voorhees Hospital
Voorhees, New Jersey
Many diagnostic and laboratory tests include the direction to
perform routine blood testing and/or routine urine testing.
The protocol for those tests is presented here and will be
cross-referenced within the many tests requiring them.
Before
Explain the procedure to the patient.
Tell the patient if fasting is necessary. (Fasting is most
commonly required with glucose and lipid studies.)
If fasting is required, instruct the patient not to consume
any food or fluids. Only water is permitted. Fasting
requirements usually vary from 8 to 12 hours.
Instruct the patient to continue taking medications unless
told otherwise by the healthcare provider.
During
• Collect the blood in a properly color-coded test tube
(Table A, page xiv), which indicates the presence or
absence of additives. Tube stopper colors may vary with
different manufacturers. If uncertain, verify with the
laboratory.
After
• Apply pressure or a pressure dressing to the venipuncture
site.
• Assess the site for bleeding.
= Patient teaching
, ROUTINE URINE TESTING
Many diagnostic and laboratory tests include the direction to
perform routine blood testing and/or routine urine testing.
The protocol for those tests is presented here and will be
cross-referenced within the many tests requiring them.
Before
Explain the procedure to the patient.
Inform the patient if food or fluid restrictions are needed.
During
Random, fresh, or spot specimen:
• Instruct the patient to urinate into an appropriate non-
sterile container.
24-hour specimen:
1. Begin the 24-hour collection by discarding the first
specimen.
2. Collect all urine voided during the next 24 hours.
3. Show the patient where to store the urine.
4. Keep the urine on ice or refrigerated during the collection
period. Foley bags are kept in a basin of ice. Some collec-
tions require a preservative. Check with the laboratory.
5. Post the hours for the urine collection in a prominent
place to prevent accidentally discarding a specimen.
6. Instruct the patient to void before defecating so that urine
is not contaminated by stool.
7. Remind the patient not to put toilet paper in the urine
collection container.
8. Collect the last specimen as close as possible to the end of
the 24-hour period. Add this urine to the collection.
After
• Transport the specimen promptly to the laboratory.
= Patient teaching
, MOSBY’S
DIAGNOSTIC AND
LABORATORY TEST
REFERENCE
Twelfth Edition
Kathleen Deska Pagana, PhD, RN
Professor Emeritus
Department of Nursing
Lycoming College
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
http://www.KathleenPagana.com
President, Pagana Keynotes & Presentations
Timothy J. Pagana, MD, FACS
Medical Director
The Kathryn Candor Lundy Breast Health Center
Susquehanna Health System
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Theresa Noel Pagana, MD, FAAEM
Emergency Medicine Physician
Virtua Voorhees Hospital
Voorhees, New Jersey
