24 hour urine collection

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Specializes in Float.

I'm a little confused about the timing for this test. I know you discard the first void. Do you start the time THEN? Or do you start it with the next void? I'm a little confused about this whole process. I looked for a P&P on it and couldn't find one. I guess my next step would be to just call lab but I thought I'd see what you all do.

Thanks!

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Specializes in Diabetes ED, (CDE), CCU, Pulmonary/HIV.

Disgard the first void--time starts then. Some people want to start it on the hour, so ask pt to void at, say, 7pm. Collect every void after that. Then go to pt at 7pm next day and ask for last void. Test starts with an empty bladder and ends with an empty bladder. Don't forget ice for bottle if there is no preservative.

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I just did one of these myself a few months ago. My written instructions and how it was explained to me by the lab person: discard first "sample", then collect for 24 hrs starting at the time of the first void.

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funny, i just had to look this up in our lab p&p today! the collection time starts after you have discarded that 1st void.

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Specializes in cardiology, LTC.

24 hour urine collection- discard the first void but begin timing from that point.

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Specializes in Float.

Thanks that makes sense to me. If you wait until the NEXT void to start it then what is the point of discarding the first void? That way makes no sense but that was how my preceptor told me to do it. Pt voided at 00:15, I discarded. He voided again at 04:15 and we saved that and started the time then. She is considered a top notch nurse and as a newbie I didn't want to argue with her but it just didn't make sense. Maybe we just had a miscommunication. Next time I'm in the lab I'll ask for my own knowledge.

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I just did one of these myself a few months ago. My written instructions and how it was explained to me by the lab person: discard first "sample", then collect for 24 hrs starting at the time of the first void.

This is how we do it on our facility too...say patient voided at 1600, we discard that first void but we start our 24 our urine collection at 1600 and ends at 1600 the next day. I always make sure that I explain this to my Nurse Tech since they're the ones that mostly takes care of this.....I would go in with my Tech to explain procedure to the patient to make sure patient understands as well.

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