Urine sample from incontinent pt with dementia

Nurses General Nursing

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How would you go about getting a sample from a male pt with severe dementia who is totally incontinent and wears briefs? Thanks!

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Specializes in General Internal Medicine, ICU.

Obtain an order for a straight catheter for the purpose of urine sample collection. 

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Specializes in Hospice.
2 hours ago, MPKH said:

Obtain an order for a straight catheter for the purpose of urine sample collection. 

Probably the best course. I have also had success with using a condom cath and a foley bag, but the pt may not tolerate it. Plus, it’s a clean catch at best. If you’re not experienced with condom catheters, a straight cath is your best bet.

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Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.

Get three other staff members: two to help get him into bed and keep him calm, one to quickly obtain the sample cup when he starts urinating, and one to help press on the bladder to ensure enough urine is obtained.  

Just joking, at least a little bit.  The above scenario actually did happen, in that I had a particularly tough dementia patient to obtain a sample on and it truly did require four of us to obtain it.  But I do agree that in general, a straight cath is the best option. 

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

For routine UA, I've used chux and clean urinal for my bedbound home care patients.  Have patient drink  8oz glasses of water.  Poke hole  near short side of chux.  Wash and dry member, place through chux hole, prop urinal and wrap chux around urinal.  After 20-30 minutes, check propped urinal. Gently press on  lower abdomen area of bladder if needed to help express urine--only need 10-15 cc for sample.  Replace adult brief.

For C+S, straight cath best.

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Specializes in Emergency Room, CEN, TCRN.

We straight cath any Pts with AMS in the ER

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